Happy Holidays from Philanthropy New York: Our 2024 Year in Review

As 2024 comes to a close, Philanthropy New York is taking a moment to reflect on what makes us strong: our community. This year, amid a turbulent global landscape, PNY members came together to navigate challenges, harness the collective power of philanthropy, and create pathways toward a more just and equitable future.

Together, we’ve expanded our tools and strategies to strengthen our sector and the communities we serve. Along the way, powered by our community, we've: 

Power With: Building a Shared Future

• Our 45th Annual Meeting brought together over 200 members and partners to explore the power of individuals, teams, and institutions. Recordings from the meeting’s sessions are available online for ongoing learning and reflection. 

Grantmaking Equity Hour Series

• Launched as a quarterly community of practice, this series provides opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, fostering a space to share insights and deepen understanding of equity-centered philanthropic practices.
• Interested in registering for the third session on February 5, 2025? Register today!

• We launched a new Young Leaders Breakfast Club cohort, pairing 36 emerging leaders with 12 mentors. Over nine months, participants are building trusted networks and navigating the dynamic tensions of leadership roles. 

Harnessed our Collective Power for Advocacy and Policy Engagement

• PNY testified before the New York City Council in March and June, advocating for streamlined nonprofit contracting and payment processes. This effort underscores the importance of reducing administrative burdens that harm nonprofits’ financial sustainability 

• PNY is actively engaging with federal and state advocates to ensure the nonprofit sector remains well-positioned to provide critical support. This year, we attended FOTH to advocate for federal partners to allocate resources addressing urgent city issues impacting New Yorkers. Following the election, PNY participated in SOMOS to engage in key conversations about responding to the shifting challenges and opportunities brought by the new administration.

• In June, our Health and Youth & Education working groups engaged City Council leaders on youth mental health initiatives, leveraging grantee experiences to inform and influence public policy.

Invited Critical Thought and Reflection on Equity in Foundations

Sharing Key Learnings and Thought Leadership 

• Through our Insights column, we shared key learnings on equitable practice change from our programming and highlighted valuable perspectives from thought leaders in the sector. Recent pieces explored participatory approaches in philanthropy, redefining leadership in the nonprofit sector, and addressing the government’s unfair treatment of nonprofits.

• Through our Policy Corner series, we regularly updated members on our policy work, including outlining what was at stake in this year’s elections and providing opportunities for engagement in key advocacy efforts like the #WHY15 and #JustPay campaigns.

Thanks to the groundwork laid this year, Philanthropy New York members are in a powerful position to show up and take action in 2025 with courage, boldness, and intention. As the operating environment for nonprofits and community groups becomes more challenging, we must work creatively and collectively to address and ally with those leading the work on the ground. This work can only be done in community, and we are here to create spaces for collective action as we strive to create a more just and equitable future together.

You are an integral part of building this vision and your contributions are the driving force behind our shared success.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year ahead!