Opportunity’s Calling—Pick Up, New York!
Grants, fellowships, feel good stories, and more enclosed!
Happy Spring, New York! What kind of shadow does the groundhog have to see to ensure it’s 30º and raining everyday? Did someone drop him again? Anyway… read on for some feel good stories, a tour of 35,000 square foot warehouse full of free arts materials, and a long list of funding opportunities!
🍕New York Happenings
visited David Prize Winner Greg Purnell at his Barber Studio in Brownsville, read about Greg’s story in Anne’s profile Brooklyn’s Pay-What-You-Wish Barber Wants You to Be Yourself!
The end of tax season is here, Carmen Paulino made sure New Yorkers in her community are getting every penny of their refund.
The Center for Art and Advocacy, founded by formerly incarcerated artist Jesse Krimes, is opening its first public space in Bed Stuy. The nonprofit supports artists impacted by the justice system through fellowships, mentorship, and professional development.
The David Prize visited Materials for the Arts, an arts organization that supplies millions of dollars in materials each year to New Yorkers in all five boroughs. Take a virtual tour!
🗽Hear from a Prize Community Member!
Designer Mi Jong Lee has made clothes in New York City since the 1980’s. She recalls the days when the city’s Garment District was bustling with global production. Now, Mi Jong is working to revitalize the garment district in New York. Through the support of partners like International Women's Forum and Women Presidents Organization, Mi Jong’s work is proving that high volume production is possible in NYC.
🚕 Opportunities
Applications for Defying Legal Gravity are OPEN! The Legal Empowerment Fellows Program, run by Prize winner Diana Imbert, is a paid, 1-year fellowship where high school students spend the academic school year obtaining a foundation in the law. Apply by June 29th, 2025.
The NextWave Leadership Program by Canary Impact supports justice-involved youth with $10,000 in funding, mentorship, and a powerful peer network. Through leadership training and community-building, participants turn lived experience into bold advocacy and systemic change. Apply by April 18th, 2025.
Nominations are open for the 2026 Elevate Prize! The Elevate Prize is designed to invest holistically in both leaders and their organizations through a two-year, highly tailored program and $300,000 in unrestricted funding. Submit a nomination before April 18, 2025.
NYSCA and NYFA have launched a new grant program to help small New York State arts nonprofits build or strengthen reserve funds with awards ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. Apply by by June 17, 2025.
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. Apply by April 25th, 2025.
The O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants program supports bold and undiscovered researchers, builders, and creatives worldwide with no-strings-attached funding of up to $100,000. Apply by April 30th, 2025.
NYC Boss Up is open for applications from NYCHA residents. Boss Up collaborates with NYCHA to host a business pitch competition offering winners grants, training, and business growth resources. Apply by April 30th, 2025.
Applications for The Mira Fellowship, a six-month opportunity for folks to explore world-changing questions, are now open! Each fellow receives coaching, support, access to exclusive micro-grants for their project. Apply by June 1st, 2025.