7 Accomplished New York-based Philanthropic Organizations
With so many charities out there, it may seem like you simply can't care about every issue that pops up, and that your money doesn't really do any good. These organizations take a macro view, forging partnerships across the non-profit sphere to tackle major problems on many fronts, ensuring that each dollar is used to its fullest potential. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
7 Charitable Organizations In New York Making An Impact
| Name | Focus |
|---|---|
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors | Works to enhance the effectiveness of charitable giving by helping nonprofits with grantmaking, administration, and consulting services |
| Henry Luce Foundation | Funding for the arts, public policy, theology, research fellowships, higher education, and the Clare Boothe Luce Program for the advancement of American women in STEM fields |
| Clinton Foundation | Fights climate change by supporting renewable energy, supports small farms in Africa, invests in entrepreneurship to fight poverty, and partners with local communities to expand early childhood education |
| Surdna Foundation | Helps marginalized communities in areas such as sustainability and responsible land use, business development and inclusive economic practices, cultural and arts programs, & childcare and workforce development on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation |
| Emerging Markets Foundation (EMpower) | Invests in local organizations that offer young people resources for education, health, and economic achievement, including programs working to eliminate gender gaps in education, and forging collaborations among grantee organizations |
| Charles H. Revson Foundation | Offers grants in journalism literacy, biomedical research, libraries, college scholarships, and Jewish community outreach |
| Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund | Relief for those recovering from violence and natural disasters in the form of direct financial assistance |
The Work of the Clinton Foundation
The Most Educated Countries Around the World
| Rank | Country | Population in 2019 | Adults 25-64 who have Received a Tertiary Education (2 or 4-year degree or vocational program) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 37,411,047 | 56.71% |
| 2 | Japan | 126,860,301 | 51.44% |
| 3 | Israel | 8,519,377 | 50.92% |
| 4 | South Korea | 51,225,308 | 47.74% |
| 5 | United States | 329,064,917 | 46.36% |
| 6 | United Kingdom | 67,530,172 | 45.74% |
| 7 | Ireland | 4,882,495 | 45.66% |
| 8 | Australia | 25,203,198 | 45.36% |
| 9 | Finland | 5,532,156 | 44.30% |
| 10 | Norway | 5,378,857 | 43.21% |
Celebrities Help at Cantor Fitzgerald Charity Day
U.S. Small Business Statistics
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, as of 2018
- There are 30.2 million small businesses in the United States
- These make up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses
- They employ 58.9 million people
- These make up 47.5% of all U.S. employees
- Of the 294,834 U.S. companies that exported goods in 2015, 97.6% were small firms
Men & Women In The Workforce
The percentage of men & women in the civilian labor force over time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor
| Year | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 29.6% | 70.4% |
| 1960 | 33.4% | 66.6% |
| 1970 | 38.1% | 61.9% |
| 1980 | 42.5% | 57.5% |
| 1990 | 45.2% | 54.8% |
| 2000 | 46.5% | 53.5% |
| 2010 | 46.7% | 53.3% |
The Value of EMpower
How Many American Children Live In Poverty?
Percentage of children ages 0–17 by family income relative to the poverty threshold, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics
| Poverty Level | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below 50% of poverty threshold | 6.9% | 8.8% | 6.7% | 9.9% | 9.8% | 9.7% | 9.3% | 8.9% | 8.2% |
| 50% - 99% of poverty threshold | 11.4% | 11.8% | 9.5% | 12.1% | 12.0% | 12.1% | 11.9% | 10.8% | 9.8% |
In Depth
Along with its incredibly diverse population and dizzying array of cultural attractions, New York is home to a wide variety of dedicated philanthropic institutions. Supporting everything from local education to the global fight against poverty, these charities are united by their belief in the power of generosity to effect positive change. In no particular order, here are seven New York-based organizations working to make the world a better place.
Leading off at #1 is Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a nonprofit that provides guidance for people and organizations looking to achieve the greatest possible impact with their charitable work. RPA offers consultations to help prospective foundations with research and strategy, or management services to handle tasks like grantmaking or program administration on their clients' behalf. Their experienced staff help donors form collaborative partnerships and make effective use of their funds to do good on a larger scale.
RPA assists with projects around the world, and works to enhance the effectiveness of charitable giving with efforts like the Theory of the Foundation Initiative, which aims to improve collaboration between international foundations, or the OPTIX program, which provides tools to meet the unique financing needs of people in the developing world. Their website hosts news, in-depth reports, and streamlined guides on best practices in philanthropy. Donations to RPA help fund their mission of maximizing the benefit of generosity worldwide.
Donations to RPA help fund their mission of maximizing the benefit of generosity worldwide.
Up next at #2 is the Henry Luce Foundation, established in 1936 by the founder of Time Magazine. The Foundation honors its creator's legacy by promoting learning, leadership, and cross-cultural dialogue. Its programs provide funding in diverse areas of interest including American artwork, public policy, and exploration of the role of religion in international relations. Many of these initiatives include research fellowships, like the Luce/ACLS Program in Religion, Journalism, & International Affairs, or the Program in China Studies.
The Luce Foundation provides extensive support for higher education, including the Clare Boothe Luce Program, one of the largest private initiatives for the advancement of American women in STEM fields. They also sponsor The Luce Scholars Program, aimed at giving future American leaders a deeper understanding of Asian cultures and societies through an immersive year abroad. Nonprofits looking to increase understanding of humanity and forge connections across boundaries can apply for funding through the Luce Foundation's ongoing grant-making programs.
#3 on our list is the Clinton Foundation, a nonprofit recognized by Charity Navigator and Guidestar for its work promoting economic growth, public health, and civic leadership. The organization helps to combat climate change through the Islands Energy Program and the Women in Renewable Energy Network, supporting the development of renewable power in the nations most at risk from weather disruptions. The Clinton Global Initiative also coordinates efforts between leaders around the world on issues like disaster recovery and endangered species protection.
The organization helps to combat climate change through the Islands Energy Program and the Women in Renewable Energy Network, supporting the development of renewable power in the nations most at risk from weather disruptions.
Many of the Clinton Foundation's projects focus on education and child development, like the Too Small to Fail initiative promoting early enrichment techniques for young children, or the Healthy Schools Program supporting nutrition and fitness in over thirty thousand schools nationwide. Other efforts target pressing health issues like America's opioid crisis or the risks facing students on college campuses. Interested individuals can assist the Foundation's mission by donating or by helping to promote its programs in a variety of ways.
#4 is the Surdna Foundation, created by John Emory Andrus in 1917, which strives to help marginalized communities build prosperity, sustainability, and thriving centers of culture. Guided by a Theory of Change which emphasizes participation and equity, this nonprofit invests in businesses owned by people of color; it also supports development initiatives that seek local input into planning and implementation. Its Sustainable Environments program supports grassroots and front-line efforts to promote regenerative economies and responsible land use.
Surdna seeks to ally with those effecting social change through research, activism, and the arts. Believing in the power of creative expression, they help to fund cultural programs such as the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, which offers services like childcare and workforce development on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation while also supporting Lakota language education and traditional tribal arts. With other initiatives, the Foundation bolsters advocacy efforts by people of color, and promotes research into effective ways to address injustice.
With other initiatives, the Foundation bolsters advocacy efforts by people of color, and promotes research into effective ways to address injustice.
Our next entry, #5, is the Emerging Markets Foundation, or EMpower, a nonprofit focused on vulnerable youth in developing nations. This worldwide sponsor of change invests in local organizations that offer young people resources for education, health, and economic achievement. Their programs aim to eliminate gender gaps in education and give the next generation the tools to survive and prosper. EMpower also provides its grantee partners with technical assistance, such as program evaluation, fundraising, and communications, to help them grow their capacity.
EMpower is committed to sharing knowledge between its partners to scale up their efforts, forging collaborations among grantee organizations such as the Adolescent Girls Learning Community in Mumbai, which explores strategies to promote the rights of women and girls. The group also curates a collection of informational resources for programs serving young people in disadvantaged areas. You can support the Foundation by donating, partnering, or fundraising, and young people seeking deeper involvement can join the Next GEN initiative to help grow EMpower's global network.
Coming in at #6 is the Charles H. Revson Foundation. Inspired by the philanthropic efforts of its founder, this organization administers grant programs that foster knowledge, strengthen Jewish cultural life, and build social and cultural capital in New York City. They support nuance in journalism with efforts like the News Literacy Project, where young students learn from experienced news professionals, or THE CITY, a digital media nonprofit. Other initiatives, like the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, focus on building bridges between Jewish and Muslim communities.
They support nuance in journalism with efforts like the News Literacy Project, where young students learn from experienced news professionals, or THE CITY, a digital media nonprofit.
The Revson Foundation is committed to promoting education, particularly in the areas of journalism and biomedical science. They offer an annual fellowship for exceptional postdoctoral researchers, and fund scholarships to support the advancement of female scholars at Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science. Through a scholarship program at the City University of New York's Macaulay Honors College, given in honor of past Foundation president Lisa Goldberg, they also provide financial assistance to students with a commitment to public service.
Our final entry, #7, is the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund. Initially established to assist families impacted by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, today the organization helps those suffering from violence and disasters of all kinds. They respond to crises like Hurricane Harvey's impact on the Houston area by giving directly to the households most in need. Other notable projects include their efforts in the wake of Superstorm Sandy and their mobilization of resources and volunteers to help Puerto Rico recover after its devastation by storms.
Every September 11, Cantor Fitzgerald and its partners honor those who lost their lives in 2001 with the Charity Day initiative; participating organizations donate 100% of their revenues for the day to charities worldwide, and engage in fundraising efforts with the help of public figures and celebrities. You can support the Relief Fund by participating in fundraisers like their Father's Day Auction or by giving to the organization directly.
