New York, NY (October 31, 2024) – The West Side Community Fund (WSCF), a consortium of leading businesses and firms that come together to support neighborhood initiatives in the west side of Manhattan, today announced the allocation of $100,000 to 21 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 attend school in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. Since WSCF launched this grant program in 2018, it has proudly distributed over $1.1 million to uplift and empower communities in Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and Hudson Yards.  

On October 28th, the organization held a Grantee Celebration at Hudson Guild’s Fulton Community Center to honor the Spring and Fall 2024 grant recipients, bringing together elected officials, local community leaders, the Fund’s board members, grantees, donors, and community partners.

The allocation of microgrants further the Fund’s goal of strengthening communities along Manhattan’s West Side by investing in and bolstering groups that uplift under-resourced residents across Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen. The 2024 Fall grant cycle demonstrates a significant expansion of the Fund's impact, with over a third (8 out of 21) of the recipients being new organizations. This underscores the Fund's commitment to addressing a wide range of community needs, from food security and education to health and wellness, economic empowerment, community improvement, and the arts.

The 21 Fall 2024 grant recipients are:

• 52nd Street Project - a nonprofit arts organization in Hell's Kitchen that will use the funds to collaborate with P.S. 111’s fourth graders on a monologue writing program, where teaching artists will assess literacy skills and perform the students' written pieces

• Alzheimer's Foundation of America Memory Screenings – a nonprofit supporting individuals, families, and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will host the Healthy Aging & Community Screenings program to address the existing gap in understanding healthy aging and cognition issues

• Chelsea Community News - a news, arts, and information website serving Manhattan's Chelsea, Flatiron District, Meatpacking District, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen neighborhoods will utilize the funding to ensure that the website remains a prolific source for community information

• Emergent Works - a community initiative providing a safe space for formerly incarcerated individuals to learn tech literacy and coding skills will use the funding for their TRAP (Technology, Rhythm, And Passion) program, which aims to reduce recidivism among young Black men by offering 12 weeks of comprehensive tech education, mental health support, mentorship, and job placement, along with opportunities for artistry cultivation and professional growth

• Food Education Fund – a student-led culinary magazine and podcast program, Pass The Spatula (PTS), at Food and Finance High School in Hell's Kitchen will use the funds to enhance its quality and reach by providing essential resources for guest industry leaders, design fees, photography, podcast equipment, and production costs

• Hearty Start - a nonprofit that facilitates a daily meal service supplies 1,250 sandwiches each week—500 breakfast sandwiches and 750 lunch sandwiches—to homeless individuals in the surrounding Chelsea neighborhood

• Hell's Kitchen Community Cupboard - an operation redirecting excess food from local businesses to residents facing food insecurity, Hell’s Kitchen Community Cupboard will use the funds to rescue food daily from local businesses and provide fresh produce to the community through enhanced partnerships and supplemental food purchases

• Manhattan Community Boathouse - a non-profit offering free kayaking in New York City at Pier 96 in Hudson River Park will utilize the funds to upgrade the equipment needed to keep the public safe and to ensure the future of their free kayaking program

• Midtown South Community Council – a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building better neighborhoods and stronger relationships in Midtown South Manhattan will use the funds to enhance the MSCC Urban Farm's infrastructure, increasing its capacity to distribute fresh produce and provide healthy food to families, shelters, and the elderly

• Mouse Design League - an organization that develops computer science and STEM curriculum for K-12 educators will use the funds for Design League, Mouse’s signature program that supports in-school and after-school enrichment, where teachers guide students in creating apps and tech projects to address community social needs

• NYC Salt - an organization that creates opportunities in visual arts and pathways to college for underserved New York City youth will have Annie Leibovitz facilitate a two-day workshop as part of the program

• Open Hands Legal Services - a legal services nonprofit providing free legal aid in low-income New York City communities will establish a Legal Aid Desk at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen to offer urgently needed civil legal assistance, advocacy, and, in exceptional cases, representation

• PENCIL - will connect high school students from Bayard Rustin Educational Campus with six-week paid internships, along with pre-employment training in skills such as resume building, interviewing, professional communication, and networking

• PS 33 Chelsea Prep – a Manhattan District 2 elementary school will utilize the funding to provide critical supplies to students living in the Chelsea-Elliott Houses and to those living in shelters

• PS/IS 111 Parent Teacher Association - an initiative aimed at providing enhanced youth literacy programming at the school through the renovation and reopening of a decommissioned school library, as well as the development and deployment of a student- and parent-volunteer-run PS 111 community newspaper will utilize the funds to continue operations

• St. Paul's House - a non-profit organization operating Creighton’s Café, a soup kitchen that provides 40-60 meals daily, and connects clients to the resources they need, will utilize the funding for groceries and building maintenance

• Three and a Half Acres Yoga – will utilize the funding for a trauma-informed yoga program in partnership with New Alternatives, an organization dedicated to assisting LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness

• Urban Arts - a New York City-based national nonprofit will use the funds to bring arts and tech programming to Facing History School in Hell’s Kitchen, including computer science education, an after-school game design club, workshops with industry professionals, and field trips

• Vision Urbana - a NYS nonprofit, utilizing the funds in support of its NYCHA Tenant Association Emergency Food Security Network, which will bring fresh produce to hundreds of Fulton Houses residents each week

• Xavier Mission - a non-profit organization offering a customer choice food pantry to provide fresh, nutritious, culturally appropriate produce to families experiencing food insecurity will utilize the funding for their continued operations

• RUSA LGBTQ CORP - a community-based support network for Eurasian LGBTQ+ immigrants and asylum seekers will use the funds for a mental health program that includes weekly support groups with bilingual therapists at Pier 57, community outreach, and monthly peer support groups 

Donors that supported the 2024 grant cycles include Amazon, Brookfield Properties, Clear, Cooley, Google, Hudson Yards, Jamestown, James Beard Foundation, KKR, Pfizer, Promethean Builders, RXR, S9 Architecture, Tapestry Foundation, Turner Construction, Wells Fargo, and Wynn.

"Since 2018, The West Side Community Fund has embodied a collective commitment to strengthening our neighborhoods and fostering resilience, and this year we are proud to have surpassed the milestone of over $1 million invested in our community, specifically in small organizations that are typically overlooked by traditional philanthropy" said Michael Phillips, President of Jamestown and the WSCF Board. "The Spring and Fall grant recipients this year are doing crucial work to improve the lives of under-served residents on the West Side, and our programs will enable them to further their missions in Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen."

“Hudson Guild thanks the West Side Community Fund for continuing to bolster local organizations, new projects and innovative ideas that solve problems and meet needs in our community,” said Ken Jockers, Executive Director of Hudson Guild. “We are proud to support the fund's ongoing work in Chelsea and the West Side of Manhattan, and we are grateful to the dedicated companies that make these impactful grants possible."

“Since its creation six years ago, the West Side Community Fund has been supporting innovative projects that improve the lives of residents in the Chelsea and Hudson Yard neighborhoods,” said Congressman Jerry Nadler. “The 2024 grant awardees continue that tradition with projects that include creating educational programming that strengthens student literacy, addresses food insecurity and fights for the rights of poor, low-income, and working individuals and families. I extend my congratulations to the 2024 awardees and to the West Side Community Fund for its continued positive impact across the West Side that will be experienced for years to come.” 

“The West Side Community Fund Grant recipients represent the best of Manhattan’s West Side,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Their work on issues from healthcare and food security to community improvement and the arts are vital to our City. I look forward to seeing what these fantastic organizations will do for our communities and working alongside them in the future.”

"The West Side Community Fund has transformed local organizations’ ability to meet community needs and grow their reach. Exemplifying the strength of collaboration, the Fund and grant administrator Hudson Guild have uplifted and empowered countless Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen community members,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Investing in the West Side is never a bad idea.” 

Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, “Congratulations to all of the 2024 West Side Community Fund Grant Recipients! Each group being awarded provides immense value to the residents of Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell's Kitchen and as one of the elected officials representing these areas I am extremely grateful for their work. I am also grateful to the West Side Community Fund who, since 2018, has awarded over $1 million in grants to community service-based organizations in our district. These groups truly demonstrate why the west side is the best side!” 

"The West Side Community Fund and the donors supporting it continue to help to improve life for the people of Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea,” said Assemblymember Tony Simone.  "By providing generous grants to community organizations that boost our neighborhoods, the Fund strengthens local journalism, improve street safety, serve people with disabilities, feed the hungry and more.”

"Over the past six years, the WSCF has made a significant impact by providing funding to organizations serving the West Side from supporters who benefit from being in the West Side.  I'm pleased to be part of this impactful organization and congratulate the recipients for this recognition of their good work,” said Angela Pinsky, Google New York’s Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy and WSCF Board Member.

“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 and WSCF Board Member. “We’re excited to celebrate 21 grantees this Fall – all of them supporting, enriching and empowering our community members.”  

“We’re proud to be founding supporters of the West Side Community Fund, and congratulate the more than three dozen grant recipients for the spring and fall 2024 cycles,” said Charles John O’Byrne, Executive Vice President of Policy at Related Companies and WSCF Board Member. “The Fund makes a direct impact on our communities by supporting education, wellness, arts and social services, as well as tackling food insecurity head-on.  Related looks forward to continuing its work with the WSCF and rallying other companies to join this important cause.”

"Congratulations to all of the 2024 grantees. I am proud to represent Cooley as a WSCF Board member, and to support the impactful, innovative initiatives that the grantees are leading along the west side.” said Ian Shapiro, Partner at Cooley LLP and WSCF Board Member.

“We are thrilled to be part of this vital initiative to invest in our local West Side community. We were inspired by the impact and vision of this cycle’s grantees, all of whom are in such alignment with the James Beard Foundation’s guiding principle, Good Food for Good. We are grateful to our long-standing partners at the Jamestown Charitable Foundation to be part of this grant cycle and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes for our neighbors,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation.

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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.