SPOTLIGHT
From the Ground Up Inside Brooklyn Org: How this non-profit is planting the seeds for growth in the borough this spring BY NÁOSHA GREGG
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hen we think of Brooklyn, we think of community. The bright murals that line the streets, the rich culture, and of course the borough’s deep cultural history. For many, Brooklyn serves as the core melting pot for the city and for one organization, it serves as home. For one philanthropic group, Brooklyn serves as more than a borough, it serves as home. “When our organization was founded in 2009, it was designed to be a ‘big idea’ for Brooklyn – to leverage the growing population, excitement, and development happening here for the benefit of our communities,” says Dr. Jocelynne Rainey, President and CEO, Brooklyn Org. “Brooklyn Org is a champion for Brooklyn, bringing together everyone who loves Brooklyn and wants more for our communities to back change from the ground up.” While Brooklyn is thriving and home to many up and coming neighborhoods, according to the publication Neighbors, Brooklyn Community Board 16 is one of the lowestincome districts in NYC, ranking 51 of 59 districts. The neighborhoods include most of East Brooklyn, such as Brownsville, and Ocean Hill, some of which are considered the most vulnerable neighborhoods. “We want to build a borough-wide community of givers to truly propel local change and direct far greater resources to our local nonprofits who are lifelines to local residents, so that we can make our borough more fair and more just for all who call it home,” says Dr. Rainey. However, the borough has been facing a funding crisis. In February of this year, the federal funding freeze initiated by President Trump left organizations scrambling, leaving Brooklyn nonprofits bracing for a year of uncertain investment. Statistics and data have shown that the borough is greatly underfunded, after CBS News reported the impact the loss of after-school funding had on many
12 NewYorkFamily.com | April 2025
Brooklyn parents, as the state unceremoniously pulled funding from multiple neighborhoods. Many residents in the borough also struggle with affordable housing, as two Brooklyn neighborhoods have become the most expensive places to live in the city, according to Pix 11. That’s where Brooklyn Org comes in. Since their conception in 2009, originally known as Brooklyn Community Foundation, they were the first public foundation for NYC’s largest borough, and have partnered with donors to give out over $130 million to nonprofits. The organization champions many philanthropic groups and initiatives, including The Alex House Project, Arab-American Family Support Center, Day One New York, The Doula Program and its most recent project, the Brooklyn Book Bodega. “Brooklyn is home to hundreds of nonprofits led by and serving communities of color that are often overlooked by the City’s philanthropic sector and wealthy donors,” explains Dr. Rainey. “BKO is a partner and platform for local giving, mobilizing funding and resources for local nonprofits that are on
Book Hub Support Staff conducting volunteer orientation at the Brooklyn Book Bodega Book Hub.