What We Do

As an organization, Philanthropy New York promotes effective, strategic philanthropy and supports meaningful collaboration and knowledge-sharing for funders and their grantees. We invest in philanthropic professionals to ensure a diverse and capable group of future sector leaders, and we cultivate institutional leadership in the sector.

Through Philanthropy New York, our members build their institutional skills and knowledge by taking advantage of our 200+ programs a year and our knowledge base of resources.

Our members develop relationships in the field by participating in our issue-based working groups and professional peer networks, our special collaborative initiatives, and our committees. In our 2016 member survey, respondents reported positive perceptions of PNY's networking offerings and the organization's ability to facilitate connections among members. Read the Center for Effective Philanthropy's executive summary to hear from our members.

We communicate the value of philanthropy and act as a voice on local, state and federal public policy issues that promote effective philanthropy and efficient nonprofits, and build stronger communities.

Finally, PNY provides institutional benefits to our members, including our conference facilities, fiscal sponsorships and more.

What We Don’t Do
  • We don’t tell foundations how to make their grants. Although our members actively collaborate with each other, each of them makes their own policies and decisions.
  • We don’t connect grantseekers and foundations.
  • We don’t offer advice on how to ask foundations for funding.

How Many Ways Do You Take Advantage of Your PNY Membership?

Programming

  • Regularly attend programs that will increase knowledge and skills
  • Lead program panels as a speaker or moderator
  • Be a program developer or initiator
  • Encourage program officers and directors new to philanthropy to attend the intensive Essential Skills and Strategies 3-day training
  • Encourage all staff new to philanthropy to attend Philanthropy 101
  • Refresh your financial analysis skills with our extensive annual Financial Series
  • Stay abreast of key legal and regulatory issues with our annual Legal Series
  • Learn how to amplify your work through our Policy Core programming
  • Attend PNY’s Annual Meeting — the region’s largest policy and networking event for funders
  • Watch live-feed broadcasts of our more high-profile public programs

Peer Interactions

Policy Development

  • Participate in PNY’s meetings with key government officials
  • Suggest issues that PNY’s Public Policy Committee should explore, which might lead to the creation of an issue guide and/or PNY eventually taking an official position
  • Submit commentary on pending policy positions being considered by PNY
  • Join PNY staff in meetings with New York’s congressional delegation during Foundations on the Hill
  • Get involved in special policy projects (grant-funded) that aim to increase public dialogue on issues of particular concern to the philanthropic community
  • Suggest new policy working groups for issues that significant numbers of members are interested in and would benefit from more philanthropic coordination

Information Sharing

Services