Join the People Power Giving Project

Do you want to learn more about exciting grassroots-led organizing in New York City and the Hudson Valley? Better yet, do you want to do something to directly support this work and strengthen your own leadership in the process?

At North Star Fund, we believe in our collective power to transform New York by supporting grassroots organizing led by impacted communities. Our Giving Projects bring together New Yorkers from a wide range of backgrounds to share stories and develop a common analysis of how systemic oppression impacts our lives and intentions.

From there, Giving Project members learn about grassroots fundraising and grantmaking through a collective power lens. We then collaborate to raise money that we distribute directly to activists working on some of the toughest challenges facing our city–from protecting affordable housing to building education equity.

With the close of the latest cycle, the People Power Giving Project has now moved $1M+ over six years to grassroots organizing in New York City and the Hudson Valley. To learn more about our most recent cohort’s success and the adaptations that we’ve made to the Giving Project model, please read our spring 2022 update or our 2023 Giving Project update.

How does the Giving Project work?

The Giving Project is a six-month process that requires a commitment of your time, talent and resources.

• The Giving Project is a six-month process (October – March) that requires a commitment of your time, talent, and resources.
• You’ll join a cross-class, multiracial group of 15-20 New Yorkers and work together over six months. Through workshops and trainings, the group develops a shared understanding of race, class and power within our society.
• You’ll each make a financial gift—any amount that is personally meaningful.
• You’ll commit to fundraising from your friends, family, and community to support the Let Us Breathe Fund –the only NYC-based fund led by and for Black communities organizing around police reform and building Black liberation. The Let Us Breathe Fund puts decision-making in the hands of experienced community activists, who understand priorities and have relationships in local communities.
• North Star Fund staff provide training and support in grassroots fundraising.

Who should join?

The Giving Project might be a good fit for you if…

• You share our commitment to fully and robustly resource the leadership and creativity of emerging Black activists to reshape our city.
• You were inspired to get more involved after attending the North Star Fund Community Gala or another of our events—People Power is for you.
• You are a member of the North Star Fund community who wants to get more involved—including current and former donors, grantees, peers in philanthropy, partners in social justice work, and board members—People Power is for you!
• People Power will be a multiracial, cross-class cohort. It is important for us to build our work within a group that can talk across the differences that reflect our community and shape our lived experiences. LGBTQ-identified people, people of color, and working-class people are especially encouraged to participate.

All participants must be able to commit to the six-month process. We meet in the evening or on the weekend, and due to COVID-19, all sessions will be held online! We also provide childcare support as needed. We strive to make the program as accessible as possible and are open to your questions.

Interested?

All questions can be directed to Jillian White at jillian@northstarfund.org.

More questions? Check out our detailed People Power Giving Project FAQ.