New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods

Citizens Committee supports community improvement and community building initiatives throughout New York City’s five boroughs with small grants, one-on-one project implementation assistance, skills-building workshops, leadership trainings, and a resource center with a computer station and an equipment loan library. We also bring together local groups to share ideas, experiences, and expertise. We believe that people can make important change happen on their streets and in their communities by working together.

Neighborhood Leadership Institute

Through our Neighborhood Leadership Institute we offer free skills-building workshops for grassroots groups, at a time convenient for groups and in the neighborhood in which they are based. We can do trainings on community organizing, media outreach, group structure, internet tools, youth involvement, and other topics.

The workshops are tailored to meet the strengths, needs, and goals of your group. All the workshops are structured in an interactive format that draws out the experiences and knowledge of participants. Workshops are for grassroots volunteer-driven community groups.

Visit our calendar for a schedule of workshops, and download our list of skill-building workshops that we offer for groups.

Resource Center

The Resource Center is an equipment library and a workspace for grassroots community groups (grantees and non-grantees alike). Use of the room and equipment is free. The purpose of the Resource Center is to facilitate community improvement and community building projects.

The equipment library makes available for loan items such as digital cameras and video projectors, as well as books, magazines and workshop manuals. The maximum loan period for any item is one week (seven days). A total of two items can be borrowed at any one time. Exceptions can be granted, depending on the needs and circumstances of the borrowing group. Borrowers are required to complete a form for each item, requesting contact information and purpose of loan. A hard copy list of items in the library, with brief descriptions is posted in the Resource Room, including an indication of whether the item is on loan, by what group, and the expected return date.

The workspace includes a computer station loaded with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Power Point) as well as photo and video editing software; a phone; a fax machine; filing cabinet space; and other basic office equipment. There is also access to a color copier. Community groups will be able to use the room to work on tasks related to their community improvement initiatives. Use of the workspace must be scheduled. Generally, the space can be available to a group for a maximum of four hours per day. Exceptions can be granted, depending on the group’s needs.

Contact us to learn about the equipment in our library or to schedule use of the workspace.

Grants                 

Grants are awarded for creative community improvement projects that bring neighbors together. We offer grants of $500 to $3,000 to grassroots volunteer-led community groups in economically under-resourced neighborhoods. Visit our grants page for currently-available applications.