Who We Are

Horizons NYC commits to supporting NYC Horizons sites in the following ways:

• Raising funds to support a portion of the annual operating budgets at existing NYC Horizons programs. The average cost to support a student through a full year of Horizons programming in New York City is currently $3000 per student. Horizons will fundraise to provide 10% of this cost per student for each affiliate in FY23 ($300 per student), with a goal of increasing support yearly.

• Teaming with prospective and pilot sites to take the necessary steps to become full and high-performing Horizons programs.

• Raising funds to support the launch and ongoing operations of new NYC Horizons sites.

• Establishing and maintaining strong, open, and effective relationships between program Executive Directors and the Regional Director.

• Supporting sites in their work to meet and maintain the high Horizons National program standards by working closely with site Executive Directors, boards, and host institutions to identify and address challenges: financial, programmatic and/or structural.

• Creating a learning community for leaders of the NYC sites, providing opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and problem solving.

• Working with other NYC community stakeholders to advocate for educational opportunities for under-resourced students.

Each Horizons New York City site commits to partnering with HNYC and the other sites in the following ways:

• Managing and executing a Horizons program that reflects the mission, values, and established standards of Horizons National.

• Maintaining a strong/viable Board of Directors or Advisory Board.

• Collaborating in fundraising and regional activities.

• Supporting the other HNYC sites by sharing resources, knowledge, and best practices.

• Attending monthly site director meetings hosted by the HNYC Regional Director.

• Providing financial, organizational, demographic, and programmatic reports and information to HNYC in a timely manner.

• Sharing any potentially serious issues or challenges with the HNYC Regional Director immediately.

New Horizons Sites:

Given the unique market and fundraising opportunities present in New York City, HNYC will explore over the years of this strategic plan the various options to create new site partnerships and will assess the advantages and disadvantages of each. These include but are not limited to:

• Traditional Horizons private/public partnerships

• Shared operational risk model

• Contracted services provider model

As new possible sites are considered, HNYC will give serious thought to the structure and readiness of each possible partner, assessing:

• Type of partner institution

• Proximity to another Horizon partner

• Access to swimming

• Financial stability of host

• System of financial operations

• Level of commitment of site leadership

• W illingness and ability to provide and raise funding

• Time horizon for partner to commit to Horizons

• W illingness to participate in a regional model

• Facility’s ability to accommodate the program

• Executive Director status

• Relationship and proximity to potential feeder school(s)

• Level of community engagement

• Existence of Exploratory Committee

• Ability to build and maintain a strong/viable Board of Directors or Advisory Board

• Ability to obtain necessary licenses

• Ability to attract staff

New Horizons NYC sites will ideally be approved for launch no later than six months prior to the intended start date. Horizons NYC will commit to supporting the new site with a $25,000 grant to launch in the first year. An exploratory committee must be established and be a participating body in the start-up process. Grants for new pilot sites are a more complex issue, which we have yet to resolve, but will do so shortly.