October 19, 2022
West Side Community Fund Announces 15 New Grant Recipients
Bi-Annual Grant Program Supports Initiatives Delivering Services to Under Resourced Residents Along the West Side of Manhattan
New York, NY (October 19, 2022) – The West Side Community Fund, a consortium of leading businesses and firms that come together to support neighborhood initiatives in the west side of Manhattan, today announced 15 new grant recipients as part of its bi-annual grant program, which is administered by Hudson Guild, a multi-service community-based organization serving those who live, work, or go to school in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.
The grants, which total $100,000, will advance the Fund's mission of strengthening the west side communities by fortifying organizations that serve and benefit underserved residents of Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen.
The 15 co-recipients of the grant are:
Adaptive Design Association- a nonprofit organization that develops and builds customized adaptive equipment for children and adults with disabilities
Chelsea Tenants Association/ Dream Center NYC Partnership- a nonprofit organization that provides holistic care for members of the Chelsea community experiencing poverty through markets, visitation, and residential assistance
CHEKPEDS- Clinton Hell’s Kitchen Chelsea Coalition for Pedestrian Safety (CHEKPEDS) is a group of businesses, institutions, and property owners uniting to correct the dangerous conditions in the neighborhood
Chelsea Community News- a news, arts, and information website serving Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood
Midtown South Community Council- an organization devoted to building better neighborhoods and stronger relationships within the Midtown South area of Manhattan
NYC Community Chorus- an inclusive choir that aims to heal their community through singing
Hell's Kitchen Community Cupboard- a take-what-you-need food pantry in Hell’s Kitchen
Hell's Kitchen Commons- an organization dedicated to the public safety, beautification, and livability of Hell’s Kitchen’s streets
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen- an organization committed to feeding those who are hungry, seeking justice for people experiencing homelessness, and providing hope and opportunity to those in need
Hudson River Community Sailing- an organization that develops leadership and academic success in underserved NYC youth through sailing education, maritime education, and recreation to the community at large
Keoni Movement Arts- a nonprofit organization that provides classes and performance opportunities to individuals of all ages, abilities, and means
Penn South Social Services- is a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) that helps seniors to live independently in their homes through comprehensive on-site social and health services
Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries- a nonprofit organization that provides direct and educational services that promote individual and community growth
Seeds of Fortune- a nonprofit EdTech platform that helps young women of color get scholarships for college and teaches them career development and financial literacy skills
W42ST Publication- a news information website that keeps residents of the Hell's Kitchen community connected, updated and upbeat
The grantees were celebrated at an event hosted at Hudson Guild’s Fulton Community Center earlier this month.
“The grants coming from the West Side Community Fund are directly supporting the organizations that are making a difference in the lives of seniors, youth, and under-served populations,” said Ken Jockers, Executive Director of the Hudson Guild. “Thank you to the local funders who have come alongside the West Side Community Fund to strengthen the organizations that are serving the residents of our community.”
A community fund with the goal of steering microgrants to local organizations serving some of the area’s most vulnerable, the West Side Community Fund originally came to fruition in 2018 with support from corporate donors, offering grants of $2,500 to $10,000 for projects benefiting young people, seniors, homeless, the disabled, food pantries, L.G.B.T.Q. initiatives, block associations and arts and culture initiatives. The Fund remained active through 2020, helping channel assistance to local organizations in Chelsea and Hudson Yards that were struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant economic downturn.
“The West Side Community Fund provides an important layer of funding to the ecosystem of organizations serving Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen,” said Michael Phillips, President of Jamestown. “The microgrant program has proved to be an innovative way to reach hyper-local, grassroots organizations, which is vital to creating healthier and more equitable and dynamic communities.”
In July, local elected officials announced that the Fund will restart with new administration by the Hudson Guild. The Fund also has increased the size of the neighborhood served. Organizations located within Manhattan’s Community Board District 4 footprint (between West 59th Street and West 14th Street) are now eligible to apply for a microgrant.
“The thing I think is unique about this fund and this grant is that you don’t have to be a 501c3 nonprofit organization in order to apply,” said Marlyse Rush, Program Development Officer for the West Side Community Fund.” So that means a block association or a tenants’ association can apply. A group of teachers is able to apply, and so is somebody who has an idea for a community improvement project.”
An initial round of new funding is being provided by corporate sponsors including Amazon, Cooley, Google, Jamestown, Related, Tapestry Foundation, Third Point, and RXR. Drawing on these resources the Fund will once again begin providing microgrants to neighborhood organizations assisting underserved populations.
"Google is proud to continue our support for the West Side Community Fund, and we are thrilled that Hudson Guild is leading the effort," said Angela Pinsky, Head of Government Affairs for Google New York. "This fund is a critical tool for getting resources from parts of our community who call these west side neighborhoods home, to the parts of our community who provide essential and vital services to our neighbors. We are grateful to our elected leadership and look forward to working with these civically committed organizations."
“The West Side Community Fund makes such a meaningful difference supporting our neighbors by partnering with organizations that are embedded in the West Side of Manhattan’s culture,” said Carley Graham Garcia, Head of Community Affairs for Amazon in New York. “We’re excited to have teamed up with Hudson Guild and so many others as this initiative celebrates 15 new grantees supporting, enriching, and empowering our community members.”
“The 2022 West Side Community Fund grant awardees represent the commitment to service and ingenuity of the local organizations in the Chelsea and Hudson Yard neighborhoods,” said Congressman Jerry Nadler. “From expanding food distribution programs among those who experience food insecurity, to improving safety measures for pedestrians, to supporting community arts, these programs will improve the lives of residents across the West Side and I am proud to add my congratulations to all of the awardees.”
"Our small business and social service organizations help make New York the greatest city in the world, and the West Side Community Fund (WSCF) helps channel crucial assistance to those in Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and Hudson Yards. During the pandemic that devastated many local businesses and services, the WSCF stepped up to support – and they recently distributed $100,000 to 15 local organizations, such as CHEKPEDS and W42ST,” said Brad Hoylman, New York State Senator. “I am delighted the Hudson Guild relaunched the WSCF this summer, and I’m excited to see local organizations on the west side continue to flourish thanks to their support."
"This next cycle of funding for the West Side Community Fund is tremendous news for our community," said Richard Gottfried, New York State Assembly Member. "From supporting safe streets organizations and serving people with disabilities, to bolstering local journalism, the West Side Community Fund will continue to make a difference in the lives of West Siders. I look forward to seeing the impact these grants will have for our neighbors."
“The WSCF is a critical tool within our community for directing resources to organizations that help residents, businesses, and spaces along the West Side,” said Erik Bottcher, New York City Council Member. “This committed and collaborative public/private partnership has and will continue to help countless members of our community. I’m grateful to the Hudson Guild and everyone who helps to make the WSCF such a success.”
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About West Side Community Fund
West Side Community Fund (WSCF) is a consortium of leading businesses and firms that come together to support neighborhood initiatives in the west side of Manhattan. Through a bi-annual grant program, WSCF supports initiatives that deliver improved or expanded services to residents along the West Side, particularly underserved populations. For more information, visit westsidecommunityfund.org.
About Hudson Guild
Hudson Guild–a multi-service community-based organization serving those who work, live, or go to school in Chelsea and the west side– administers the grant process on behalf of the West Side Community Fund. Hudson Guild’s programming helps support, enrich, and empower community members. For more information, visit hudsonguild.org.
