North Star Fund is #40YearsBold

In 1979, a group of people with inherited wealth pooled their money to create a community foundation that would support grassroots organizing in New York City. They recognized the need for communities to build and shift power away from wealthy institutions that weren’t accountable to local communities. They recruited friends and activists to come together to form North Star Fund and make the first set of grants.

Today, 2,000+ grants and over $57 million later, we’re celebrating 40 years of organizing for a better New York. Join us!

Thank you, Board Members

It takes many hands to build a movement for justice. And through it all, we’ve had a dedicated board. Here are the leaders who have served on the North Star Fund board 1979-2019.

Thank you, CFC Members

For 40 years, or Community Funding Committees (CFCs) have made grants to support local organizing. Here are the hundreds of  grassroots leaders who have volunteered for this 1979-2019. 

40 Years Bold Timeline

For 40 years we have supported bold leadership to demand justice in New York. Take a look at photos and victory highlights from four decades of activism for a better New York.

North Star Fund's 40 for 40

Meet forty leaders from our community who exemplify the qualities that have powered New York’s movements for justice since 1979!

Make a Gift to Support Bold Organizing

For 40 years, we have raised money from New Yorkers who want to support local grassroots organizing. Even once the celebrations are done, you can still make a gift to support the activism that’s changing New York today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sounds of #40YearsBold

Want to get into the #40YearsBold mindset? Pop on this playlist with music from some of your favorite artists: 

  • Rise Up by Andra Day 
  • Biko by Peter Gabriel
  • The Message (feat. Melle Mel & Duke Bootee) by Grandmaster Flash
  • Ella’s Song by Sweet Honey in the Rock
  • Turn Me Around by Mavis Staples
  • Talkin’ Bout a Revolution by Tracy Chapman
  • Fight the Power by Public Enemy
  • Not Ready to Make Nice by The Dixie Chicks
  • Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine
  • At the Purchaser’s Option by Rhiannon Giddens
  • Alright by Kendrick Lamar
  • Standing in the Way of Control by The Gossip
  • Reagan by Killer Mike
  • Changes by 2Pac, Talent
  • Us (feat. Rocky Rivera, Klassy & Faith Santilla) by Ruby Ibarra
  • War by Edwin Starr
  • We The People…. by A Tribe Called Quest
  • Glory (From The Motion Picture Selma) by Common and John Legend
  • Hands Up by Vince Staples
  • 16 Shots by Vic Mensa
  • T5 by Swet Shop Boys
  • Blk Girl Soldier by Jamila Woods
  • Holy War by Alicia Keys
  • Which Side Are You On? by Ani DiFranco
  • Picking Cotton by cupcakKe
  • You Haven’t Done Nothin’ by Stevie Wonder
  • Ain’t No Justice by The Temptations
  • Paper Planes by M.I.A.
  • Peace Train by Yusuf / Cat Stevens
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