New Yorkers ❤️ New Yorkers
...But you knew that already!
Today is the most romantic day of the year for everyone who sets foot in a Duane Reade—yes, it’s Valentine’s Day! While many dismiss it as “just a Hallmark holiday,” we’re using today to celebrate real love in New York.
At The David Prize, we have the unique privilege of meeting New Yorkers who are so passionate about this city that they've dedicated their lives to making it even better. So, when we asked former Prize winners to share stories about New Yorkers they admire, we weren’t surprised to hear about plenty of brilliant people across the five boroughs. Enter: The Surprize. Each year Prize winners get access to The Surprize—a one time $5,000 no-strings-attached microgrant intended to pay it forward to New Yorkers in their orbits.
Below we’ve shared a few stories from Surprize recipients, highlighting the remarkable work they’re doing across the city.
🫂Meet Surprize winner Elizabeth Ortiz, a mom who, following her own loss, started Inspirationally Grieving My Baby to support families through pregnancy & infant loss
📖 Meet Surprize winner Josue de Paz, a dreamer and founder of First Tech Fund, a nonprofit aimed at supporting low-income high school students in identifying, navigating, and attaining academic and professional opportunities
👟 Meet Surprize winner Clarisa Alayeto, a runner dedicated to improving health equity in the Bronx through her organization Mott Haven Runners of Color
We’ll be sharing more about the Surprize winners in our newsletter & on social media, keep an eye out!
👇 Click below to win you & a New Yorker you love swag
🚕 Opportunities
Want to join The David Prize on an upcoming field trip? On February 27th, we’re taking a small group of curious New Yorkers to visit Materials for the Arts, New York City’s 35,000 sq ft creative reuse center in LIC, Queens. Sign up here.
The J.M.K. Innovation Prize will award up to 10 innovators in 2025 with $150,000 over three years and $25,000 in technical support to help advance projects in heritage conservation, the environment, and social justice. Applications due by April 25th, 2025.
The Robert G. Wilmers Integrity Prize honors individuals making a difference in fields like arts, education, law, medicine, and social justice, with a focus on integrity in leadership and community service. Apply or nominate someone for the $50,000 award by April 1, 2025.
✏️New York Cartoon Corner
With the help of extraordinary Cartoonist & Comedian
(who you should subscribe to on Substack if you’re not already), this month we put out a call to New York-based cartoonists and asked them: Where/how do New Yorkers find love?
Thank you to Ellis Rosen for being our first New York’s Newsletter featured Cartoonist! Expect to see more cartoons in future New York Newsletters!!!! 😉
