FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 04, 2024
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The Trust Renews its Commitment to Philanthropic Efforts Throughout Greater New York and Beyond by Strengthening Synergies Between Offices Across the Region
The New York Community Trust (The Trust) announced today the integration of its existing regional branches, the Long Island Community Foundation and Westchester Community Foundation under The Trust’s organizational umbrella. As New York’s largest community foundation, all offices will now operate under one brand name, furthering a commitment to communities across the state and strengthening its legacy of high-impact grantmaking for years to come.
For a century, The Trust has been at the forefront of critical causes, including environmental justice, economic inequality, education and health care reform, equitable access to the arts, and LGBTQ+ rights. In the 1930s, The Trust created the first-ever donor-advised fund, forever changing the landscape of philanthropic giving. An invaluable agent for change, The Trust has catalyzed important projects in the region through its grantmaking.
On Long Island, The Trust has led efforts that range from strengthening food systems to advancing affordable housing options and encouraging innovative workforce development strategies to prepare workers for quality jobs in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
In Westchester, The Trust has supported advocacy for affordable housing and innovative programs that help young people involved in the justice system get access to support services instead of facing incarceration and assistance to local municipalities responding to climate change.
The announcement follows the unveiling of a new visual identity timed to the organization’s centennial celebration. The new brand architecture visually reinforces the long-standing ties between regional branches by unifying the whole under one name: The New York Community Trust. Local grantmaking and donor services in these areas will not change, instead, the new branding will better reflect the core values of the organization and its mission: fostering and engaging in enduring and innovative philanthropy.
“The New York Community Trust is proud to be an essential part of the fabric of our Long Island and Westchester communities and we are endlessly grateful for our generous donors and nonprofit partners who have made that possible over the past century,” said Amy Freitag, president of The New York Community Trust. “Our grantmaking serves as the full expression of our values, rooted in our shared vision for truly inclusive and equitable communities. As we look to the future, we know The Trust is only as strong as the diverse communities we serve and we look forward to engaging new partners and generous New Yorkers across Long Island and Westchester. In one of the most diverse and vibrant places in the world, we are honored to help build a better New York today, tomorrow, and forever.”
The Trust aims to engage the next generation of donors by making philanthropy more accessible to New Yorkers from all walks of life. The months-long celebration will continue into the fall and through the end of the year with an inspiring lineup of special events held across the five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester. The events will bring together generous donors, grantmaking partners, and communities to discuss issues ranging from the role of the arts in cultural preservation to climate resilience in our neighborhoods. All events will be free and details will be available on The Trust’s website this summer.
“We have the privilege of working with so many generous donors and incredible nonprofits who are committed to creating a better quality of life for all Long Islanders,” said David Okorn, The Trust’s executive director for Long Island. “From improving water quality to supporting innovative medical research at Cold Spring Laboratory we have a proud history of creating a thriving, more equitable region. We look forward to joining our partners in Westchester and New York City under a single unified brand to more powerfully advocate for our region with one voice.“
“I have been proud to work with our generous donors and effective nonprofits on creating a stronger more vibrant Westchester, from supporting grassroots advocacy to building stronger local economies,” said Laura Rossi, The Trust’s executive director for Westchester. “The New York Community Trust has a long history of supporting communities in Westchester even before the creation of the Westchester Community Foundation in 1975. I am confident that working together under a unified brand will only amplify our ability to serve our region for the next century.”
Since its founding in 1924, The New York Community Trust has always been a philanthropic innovator. After the first community foundation took root in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914, The New York Community Trust followed suit with 11 local banks creating a philanthropic institution that could advance grantmaking on behalf of the charitable trusts they held. The Trust then created the Westchester and Long Island community foundations in 1975 and 1978 respectively, to expand its service to the region. A look into how The Trust has shaped New York over the past 100 years can be found here.
For more information about the New York Community Trust and the centennial celebration, please visit: www.thenytrust.org
About The New York Community Trust
As New York’s largest community foundation, The New York Community Trust fosters and engages in enduring and innovative philanthropy, making grants that bring together the diverse, local knowledge and expertise of its team, nonprofits, and partners to help donors fulfill their vision for the causes they love. From education and the arts to health care and the environment, The New York Community Trust seeks to improve every aspect of the cultural and civic life of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. The New York Community Trust celebrates 100 years of impact and looks forward to the next 100 years of improving life for New Yorkers. This is philanthropy for New Yorkers, by New Yorkers. To learn more, visit www.thenytrust.org.
