A Space for Convening and Collaboration
SECURITY UPDATE: As of October 25, 2023 all visitors to the Center for Social Justice will be required to follow additional security protocols including bag screening and ID check before they are allowed to access the workplace floors, convening floors, the art gallery, and the garden.
The Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice has increased security protocols out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety, security, and peace of mind of all of colleagues, tenants and visitors. No threat alerts have been received - this is a proactive measure only.
Here is the key information public visitors, guests and event attendees should be aware of before coming to Philanthropy New York:
- All members of the public (i.e., everyone who is not staff, service providers or tenants) must present a photo ID with a name that matches the name on their registration. Unregistered gallery visitors will also be required to show photo ID prior to entering the gallery, and when it reopens, the garden.
- All bags will be subject to screening by a trained member of the security team.
- Large bags and suitcases will not be allowed on workplace or convening floors, or in the gallery, and must be checked with security in the Welcome Lounge.
- If a visitor arrives without a photo ID or the ID does not match their registration, security will contact the meeting or event host and that person will be required to come to the 43rd Street entrance to verify their guest.
- Visitors should allow additional time to complete these screening procedures before their meeting or event begins.
- Visitors should follow all posted signage and instructions from our security team.
Philanthropy New York’s meeting spaces are once again available for member reservations. Please note the following important guidelines:
To ensure the health and safety of the entire community at Philanthropy New York and within the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, we ask that our visitors follow the same guidelines established for those working at Philanthropy New York. If you feel unwell, have COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive for COVID-19, or are not able to comply with the health and safety precautions, please refrain from visiting the PNY offices at this time. The Ford Foundation is no longer requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the building but please be sure to have a photo ID to check-in with security.
Masking within your meeting space is at your discretion. While not required, we do recommended you wear a mask in common areas of the PNY offices on the 2nd Floor (e.g. hallway, restrooms).
If you become aware of a COVID exposure after your meeting/event, please inform PNY so that we can inform our staff.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Philanthropy New York is first and foremost a learning community. Providing our members with space for meetings ensures we are able to carry out our mission both as an organization of learning and as a space for convening and collaboration within the sector.
Our space at 320 East 43rd Street provides Philanthropy New York members with versatile meeting space for your staff and board meetings, convenings, and conversations. Available meeting spaces are free to Philanthropy New York members only Tuesday through Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm. The space can be made available for set up and break down up to 30 minutes before and after the meeting. However, meeting hours should not be before 10 am or after 4 pm. We ask that members respect the start and end times of the booking.
We are pleased to offer members a Welcome Lounge on the first floor of 320 East 43rd Street. This flexible space is a perfect place to make phone calls, work on your mobile device or laptop, have informal meetings, and generally enjoy the garden in between Philanthropy New York events or whenever you are in the neighborhood. Members must be registered in the building security system and must answer health and safety questions in order to access the lounge.
Please email conference@philanthropynewyork.org to set up access. If 24-hour advance notice is not possible, please leave a voicemail at 212-714-0699 x202 to arrange access.
Please see below for more detailed conference and convening information.
Reservation Guidelines
Philanthropy New York is a membership organization and our conference space is offered as a service to our members. Non-members/grantees of members may not reserve PNY facilities for their meetings or events. Members that wish to reserve a room for their own event or meeting must be responsible for managing logistics and staffing. Philanthropy New York’s space may not be used if a fee is charged for attendance or the organization is otherwise charging for the event. Reservations are placed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as rooms are not in use for Philanthropy New York meetings. Because our space is a community resource, we reserve the right to limit the number of reservations of any single member. Please ensure that you book the exact time you will use the room, including set-up and break-down time.
Conference facilities are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the hours of 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations made during these times are free to member organizations on a first-come, first-served basis. As we adjust to a hybrid working environment and shift in building services, we cannot currently offer extended hours as we have in the past.
Catering is available for all meetings, and orders must be placed no less than two weeks in advance of your event. All catering is provided by the building’s in-house catering service. No exceptions. Philanthropy New York will invoice members for any catering or additional AV costs incurred.
The Treehouse: Philanthropy New York Meeting Facilities
We have two meeting spaces on the 2nd floor at 320 East 43rd Street that will accommodate smaller, private meetings and receptions.
Manhattan Board Room
The Manhattan board room is a light-filled, glass-walled board room with a maximum capacity* of 22 people seated around a long, rectangular board table. The space overlooks the tree-filled atrium and sits just around the corner from a small pantry and coat closet. This room is adjacent to an open space perfect for a small reception (maximum capacity* 40) overlooking the atrium.
*Maximum capacity is in line with fire safety codes but does not account for social distancing. If requested, PNY staff can advise on the capacity that accounts for social distancing.
AV Capacity
• One large screen
• Wi-Fi
• Video conferencing via services like Zoom (Members must provide their own account)
• Conference calls (Members must provide their own conference line)
• Whiteboard or flip charts with markers upon request
Staten Island Meeting Room
A very private room, Staten Island is perfect for staff meetings or small collaborative discussions. The room can accommodate up to eight people around a circular table with space in the room to set up catering.
AV Capacity
• One large screen
• Wi-Fi
• Video conferencing via services like Zoom (Members must provide their own account)
• Whiteboard or flip charts with markers upon request
James Baldwin Room: Flexible Programming and Event Space
Philanthropy New York’s largest conference room, the James Baldwin Room, is a flexible space best used for workshops, meetings, and presentations. Located on Level A, this room provides stunning views of the atrium AV and sound amplification capabilities. Please note that reservations for the room are limited, as this is Philanthropy New York’s main programming space. Availability will only be confirmed 7 weeks prior to the booking. We reserve the right to cancel reservations at any point prior to the 7-week confirmation.
As a service to our members, there is no fee to use the James Baldwin Room during the business hours of 10 am-4 pm, Tuesday - Thursday. Catering is available upon request and will be charged separately. Please call in advance for a quote.
Room Set-Ups:
• Classroom: 25
• Conference: 26
• Pods: 32
• Reception: 27
• Rounds: 60
• Theater: 72
*Maximum capacity is in line with fire safety codes but does not account for social distancing. If requested, PNY staff can advise on the capacity that accounts for social distancing.
AV Capacity:
• 2 fixed, dual screens
• Wi-Fi
• Boundary and lapel microphones for amplified sound
• One podium
• Videoconferencing via Zoom (Members must provide their own account)
• Whiteboard or flip charts with markers upon request
Health and Safety Protocols
Mask Recommendation
Masking within your meeting space is at your discretion. While not required, we do recommended you wear a mask in common areas of the PNY offices on the 2nd Floor (e.g. hallway, restrooms). We recommend wearing a three-ply surgical mask or an unvented KN95, K94, or N95 if possible.
Proof of vaccination and booster
The Ford Foundation is no longer requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the building. However, please be sure to have a photo ID to check-in with security.
Making a Reservation
For all reservation requests, please email conference@philanthropynewyork.org with the following details and with any questions you may have.
• Member Organization name
• Contact information
• Date(s) and time of reservation, including set-up and clean-up
• Number of attendees
• List of names for security (at least 48 hours in advance)
• Room Set-up
• A/V Needs (if any)
• Catering Needs (if any)