How To Get Involved In New York: One Of The Nations Most Charitable Cities

Living and working in New York is fast-paced, exciting and exhausting. It can be easy at times to lose touch with the world around you. Maybe you can't find the time to volunteer or "make a difference" as much as you'd like to. The good news is, New York City has so many easy ways to get involved. 

According to Philanthropy New York, the oldest charity in the United States was founded in New York City in 1770. The St. George Society was founded to help colonists in poverty, and branches quickly began to grow in other states and are still around today. Today, in New York City alone, there are over 90,000 nonprofit organizations. Aside from private and other nonprofits, there are more than 60,000 public charities. These foundations seek to help many different communities from youth development and anti-racism to the ever going hunger problem.

Food insecurity is a problem nationwide although we might not realize it living in America. The Food Bank of New York City serves 1,800 charities throughout the city and has provided over 1.2 billion free meals. They offer different ways to get involved such as donating, volunteering, advocating, and even corporate support. 

There are also other opportunities to serve communities that are important for you. Located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the Isaacs Center has a "Meals on Wheels" program that delivers food to homebound senior citizens. This allows the elderly to age in place with dignity, and provides them with crucial social connection. 

If you are passionate about children or education another option is Start Lighthouse. Founded in the Bronx, this program is dedicated to narrowing the literacy gap with an emphasis on social justice. You can donate books or support young readers by signing up through their website. 

Last but not least, for all the animal lovers out there, the Best Friends Organization is a perfect match. There are many ways to contribute from providing companionship to dogs and cats, fostering pets, providing rides to veterinary appointments and more. 

Outside of New York, there are other charitable cities throughout the US. Based on a 2022 study from LawnStarter on 3 key indicators of philanthropic behavior, the top 5 most charitable cities are Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, New York City and Baltimore. While NYC isn't number 1, maybe it can rise in the ranks this year. 

For more volunteer ideas, newyorkcares.org is an amazing resource that allows you to search for projects based on your availability and interests. Leasing office space at Broadway Suites will allow you to be close to many charity organizations and start giving back. Contact us today for more information.