By Channaly Philipp

Grants are one of many resources PfP offers, and our Capacity Fund grant is the primary funding opportunity we offer active Park Friends groups to help them strengthen their ability to care for neighborhood parks across New Yor

k City.

A gathering of locals from Friends of the Woods. With their Capacity Fund grant, they created outreach and printed materials showing how parks help people improve their health.

With funding ranging from $250 to $5,000, the Capacity Fund grant serves as a springboard for many groups to learn about fundraising for the first time. The grant has been used to support new groups seeking funding for startup costs and established organizations taking on new projects. Efforts to attract new members or volunteers and collaborations with other neighborhood organizations are also prioritized.

Examples of potential projects we fund include, but are not limited to:

• Website, newsletter, letterhead, or other outreach efforts
• Bulletin boards or banners
• Special events or programs, if the group can show how this would be a sustainable investment in their stewardship efforts;
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  or

• An outreach publication designed by Partnerships for Parks.

Capacity Fund grants can’t be used to pay for ongoing programming, staff time, or travel expenses. All funded programs and events must be free and open to the public, and projects must take place on NYC Parks property to be eligible.

At Vesuvio Playground, the Friends group used their grant to increase their presence and visibility, including a toy check-out program to bring in families and children.

Annual application deadlines for the Capacity Fund grant are February 1, June 1, and October 1. Applications must be received, not postmarked, by the deadline in order to be on time; late applications will be reviewed in the next funding cycle. Expect to receive a letter informing you of our decision six to eight weeks after the deadline.

To see whether your group is eligible for a Capacity Fund grant, contact Channaly Philipp at Channaly.Philipp@parks.nyc.gov or call her at (212) 676-1929.

You can also register to attend a Capacity Fund Consultation before submitting an application to learn what kinds of projects qualify. At the consultation, we discuss guidelines and review case studies of past funded projects. Potential grant applicants will also receive tips about how to prepare a strong proposal and feedback about their project ideas. Come prepared to network with other applicants and discuss your ideas! All consultations are held at 49 Chambers Street, Room 1027, Manhattan, 10007.

Register for an upcoming Capacity Fund consultation by contacting Channaly Philipp at the email address or phone number above. Registration is required.

Download a Capacity Fund grant application below:

• Guidelines
• Application

Before and after photos from beautification and stewardship efforts of Friends of DeWitt Clinton Playground.