Crain’s New York: Dr. Jocelynne Rainey Named to 2025 Notable Leaders in Philanthropy

Published in: Crain’s New York Business

“To try to make the world in some way better than you found it is to have a noble motive in life,” wrote Andrew Carnegie in “The Empire of Business.” A man of his word, the Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist founded the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 1911, endowing the foundation with $135 million to promote education and international peace. Two years later, the Rockefeller Foundation was incorporated — also in New York — with magnate John D. Rockefeller making early gifts totaling $100 million.

With this legacy of largesse, small wonder that New York today is home to so many philanthropic endeavors and nonprofit organizations. It’s our privilege to honor 62 individuals who are core to these efforts. In their various roles — executives and board members, directors and founders — the people presented in our 2025 list of Notable Leaders in Philanthropy are toiling for the public good, alleviating youth homelessness, servicing families battling illness, supporting the arts and more.

Read on to learn how our honorees are improving the world.

Dr. Jocelynne Rainey

President and CEO, Brooklyn Org

Scope of work: Jocelynne Rainey leads a 19-person team, overseeing strategic programming and community-led philanthropic initiatives. In 2024, Brooklyn Org partnered with donors to distribute $21.1million in grants, including $5 million in participatory grants made in partnership with Brooklyn residents to 120 local nonprofits.

Nonprofit contribution: Under Rainey’s leadership, the organization has moved more than $130 million to nonprofits and launched “Show Brooklyn Some Love,” a campaign promoting inclusive giving.

Other contributions: Rainey is a member of the New York City Workforce Development Board and is a trustee of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation.