Gotham Gives invests in programs that create opportunities for everyone.”
Projects
Empowering our Communities
The Public Housing Community Fund supports the New York City Housing Authority with programming that uplifts NYCHA 's residents. As Board Chair, Joanne Wilson is revitalizing the board, leveraging support, and extending the impact of programming. The Community Fund invests in programs focused on community health, financial empowerment, leadership development, and workforce training. Examples of programming include the Swim Safety Corps and Green Space Connections.
Watch Joanne and Alex Zablocki talk about the future of the Community FundPartnering With:
Gotham Gives is partnering with STRIVE, a career development organization, to deliver Fresh Start so adults leaving incarceration can find lasting careers with real growth opportunities. STRIVE’s holistic training model helps students address employment barriers and offers support for housing, food insecurity, child care, and mental health issues.
Watch podcast with Roy Castro and JoannePartnering With:
The Jed Foundation is a leader in supporting and improving mental health in youth. JED combines deep subject matter expertise with local, school- and community-based knowledge. Gotham Gives is partnering with JED for the rapid implementation of a public health initiative to protect the emotional health and well-being of New York City’s high school students. The program is currently focused on NYC School District 79. JED also developed a mental health curriculum that is now mandatory for all school nurses.
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Gotham Gives is supporting four of Hospitality Pathways' cohorts to recruit, train and place budtenders in cannabis businesses. The cannabis curriculum provides students with a Green Flower Dispensary Associate Certification and a Sell-SMaRT Responsible Vendor Certification. They also learn about the culture of hospitality, professionalism, time management, and conflict resolution. This program targets populations that do not have ready access to this high level of training, including those living in NYCHA communities.
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Investing in Knowledge
In 2015, Fred Wilson launched Computer Science for All (CS4All), a 10-year public/private initiative to bring computer science education to every New York City public school, representing 1.1 million students, with an emphasis on female, black and Latinx students. The percentage of schools offering CS courses tripled over the course of the initiative, from 15% to 45%. The number of CS courses increased from 534 to over 5,000. To date, 93% of schools provided students with at least one CS experience within a 3-year or 4-year time period.
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Gotham Gives hosts the NYC Computer Science Opportunity Fair, NYC's largest annual college and career inspiration event for public high school students studying computer science. The 2025 event will take place on April 2nd at the Armory Track. Over 1800 high school students are expected to attend and engage with tech companies, computer science organizations, and colleges and universities. 2025 marks the 12th year of the CS Fair.
Gotham Gives has invested in this ambitious 4-year project to support the City University of New York (CUNY) integrate computing into teacher preparation programs in all of its education schools. The goal is to prepare future educators to equitably and meaningfully integrate computing and digital literacies into public school classrooms. The program also provides scholarships to in-service teachers to pursue micro-credentials and NYS certification in Computer Science. This initiatives aligns with Gotham Gives' efforts to improve the quality of computer science education in NYC, and ensure that it is available to all students.
Partnering With:
Gotham Gives is proud to support the new Tech:NYC Foundation. The Foundation is a social impact engine that empowers member companies and the NYC tech ecosystem to become civic leaders, contributing to making New York City the best place to live and work. It aligns the tech sector’s resources and expertise with community needs to drive meaningful impact in NYC.
As part of Gotham Gives' efforts to bring high-quality computer science education to public school students, we provided a grant to support Mouse's AI Design League. This course trains teachers and provides students with core technology and computational thinking skills, hands-on learning using AI tools, and a practical understanding of how to access meaningful careers in tech.
Expanding Cultural Opportunities
The High Line is an innovative public space on the reclaimed elevated rail line on NYC's West Side of Manhattan. It is both a park and an outdoor art gallery that creates a unique experience and unusual perspective that is open to all. As a board member, Joanne Wilson has guided the High Line since its inception, including maintaining a focus on community connections, and continues to champion the organization's expansions.
The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC) opened in downtown NYC in Fall 2023. Gotham Gives supported both the capital campaign and program development. Its innovative programming features topics about communities of color and works by artists of color as well as numerous commissioned pieces. The PAC idirectly engages with NYC's diverse neighborhoods to encourage involvement and attendance. Free performances are offered in a public space, a front porch for New York City!
Watch Podcast with Bill Rauch
The Shed offers performing arts, visual arts, and pop culture exhibits that push boundaries, and actively seeks work from emerging artists of color. Fred Wilson chairs the Board's Technology Committee and was instrumental in the installation of public multi-media screens that showcase cutting-edge art.