City & State New York: The 2023 Nonprofit Power 100

Published in: City & State New York

The leaders of New York’s top social services providers, legal aid organizations, foundations and more.

Nonprofit organizations by definition aren’t in the business of making money, but many of them deliver an outstanding return on investment. Nonprofits carry out critical activities that are either outsourced or ignored by government: providing shelter to homeless people, feeding people, caring for marginalized youths and older adults, supporting formerly incarcerated people. Plus, they give a voice to the least powerful among us and advocate for their interests with influential policymakers and those who control the purse strings.

The Nonprofit Power 100, a joint product of City & State New York and NYN Media, recognizes the most notable nonprofit leaders who are strengthening the safety net and serving the most vulnerable individuals in New York. The list puts a spotlight on the leaders of social services providers, legal aid organizations, advocacy organizations and foundations. The list omits many other types of nonprofits, including hospitals and institutions of higher education, while recognizing – but not ranking – a number of government officials and an array of advisers and consultants who play a key role in the nonprofit sector. We’re pleased to present the Nonprofit Power 100.

Jocelynne Rainey

President and CEO, Brooklyn Community Foundation

Jocelynne Rainey arrived at the Brooklyn Community Foundation in December 2021 with the mission of advancing racial justice by supporting the borough’s nonprofits. She transformed the foundation into a participatory grantmaking organization, brought in a new chief operating officer and prioritized immigrants, women of color in STEM and LGBTQ+ groups. This year, the foundation distributed $100,000 grants to five nonprofits for its Spark Prize, another $1.48 million to organizations supporting seniors and then no-strings-attached $20,000 awards to five women changemakers for its new Just Brooklyn Prize.