Brooklyn Family Magazine: ‘Tis The Season With Reason: Brooklyn Org Gives Back This Holiday
Meet The Committee Behind Brooklyn’s Biggest Prize
At Brooklyn Org, we’re proud to partner with community members to guide our grantmaking across the borough. Each year, the Brooklyn Org Spark Prize Committee brings together Brooklyn leaders—artists, advocates, educators, and entrepreneurs—whose deep roots and diverse perspectives drive one of our most meaningful grantmaking processes.
Now in its ninth year, the Brooklyn Org Spark Prize honors exceptional nonprofits advancing racial justice across the borough with unrestricted grants of $100,000. This year’s Brooklyn Org Spark Prize Committee reflects the diversity and heart of our borough. What unites them is a shared belief that change starts from the ground up.
Serving on the Spark evaluation committee has been especially rewarding… By providing flexible, general operating support, we empower organizations to pursue creative solutions and better meet local needs.Harry Schiffman, Spark Prize Committee Member
From hundreds of applicants, the Committee identifies 20 finalists and ultimately five winners that embody the Prize’s core criteria: born in Brooklyn, a demonstrated commitment to equity, and a strong vision for the future. Mark your calendars: as part of Brooklyn Org’s Brooklyn Gives year-end giving campaign—each of this year’s 20 finalists receive a $5,000 fundraising match, beginning November 12 through December 31. And just after the holidays, our 2026 winners will be announced – stay tuned!
Meet the 2025-26 Brooklyn Org Spark Prize Committee below and join us in celebrating the neighbors powering community-led philanthropy in Brooklyn.
2025-26 BROOKLYN ORG SPARK PRIZE COMMITTEE
Martin Bell
Partner at Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett
Brooke Safford Cohen
Founder, BES Dwellings
Lisa C. Cohen
Founding Partner, Schindler Cohen & Hochman LLP
Isabel Cristo
Writer and Journalist
Bethany D’Meza
Fashion Stylist, Investor and Fundraiser
Kenneth Ebie
Founder and Principal, Ebie Strategies
Adina Erwin
EVP, Operations, Barclays Center
Sophie Ferrer
Independent Advisor
Amy Freesun
Interpretation Specialist
Lillian Goldenthal
Community Member
David Golub
Founder, Agentic Foundry
Helen Hadzismajlovic
Small Business Owner and Hairdresser, Bee + Malu Salon
Erica Hamilton
CEO & Founder
Meredith Hostetter
Clinical Psychologist
Melissa Jamal
Lawyer and Educator
Lauretta Joseph
Advocate
Deitra Mara
Strategy and Operations Consultant
Alison Maschmeyer
Community Activist/Philanthropist
Tamika Matheson
Educator
Gregorio Mayers
Professor
Lindsay McCann
Nonprofit Consultant
Salvador Muñoz
Artist
Robyne Walker Murphy
Arts and Culture Strategist
Amanda Sue Nichols
Attorney and Philanthropist
Angela Outlaw-Matheny
Sr. Executive Manager, Research and Investments; Pivotal Advisors
Lindsay Pizzi
Community Member
Melissa J. Prober
Attorney
Jenna Shapiro
Partner, Women’s Brain Trust
Harry Schiffman
LMSW
Esmeralda Simmons
Esq.
Anne Sperling
Vice President, Government and Community Relationships, NewYork-Presbyterian
Karen St. Hilaire
Chief of Staff at NYC DSS
Laurie Tamis
Non-Profit Advisor
Seble Tareke-Williams
Principal, Marchtree Group
Adrian Techeira
Community Member
Marc Wancer
Principal, School Investments at Equitable Facilities Fund
Jackie Wilson
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, BSE
Jessica Yager
Senior Director, Housing Justice Initiatives at the Center for Justice Innovation
Selin Zalma
Senior Partner and Managing Director at BCG
2026 BROOKLYN ORG SPARK PRIZE FINALISTS
Accompany Capital
Asiyah Women’s Center
Black Trans Femmes in the Arts
Brooklyn Arts Council
Brooklyn Debate League
Center for NuLeadership on Human Justice and Healing
Emma’s Torch
Flatbush Development Corporation
Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy
IMPACCT Brooklyn
Little Essentials
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Oko Urban Farms
Read 718
Red Hook Art Project
Street Vendor Project
Surveillance Technology Oversight Project
The BRO Experience Foundation
The Children’s Law Center
YVote
Show Up. Spark Change.
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