Brooklyn Org Spark Prize
Celebrating Exceptional Brooklyn Nonprofits
Each year, five nonprofits are selected to receive the $100,000 ‘no strings attached’ Brooklyn Org Spark Prize
Brooklyn Org’s Spark Prize provides $600,000 annually to outstanding Brooklyn organizations advancing racial justice and addressing critical challenges in our communities. The Prize is named for and informed by our mission to spark change for a fair and just Brooklyn. Founded in 2016, the Spark Prize has since awarded over $4 million. Winners and finalists are selected by the Brooklyn Org Spark Prize Committee, a distinguished group of 30 Brooklynites.
Applications for the 2025 Brooklyn Org Spark Prize are now closed.
2024 Brooklyn Org Spark Prize Winners:
Each year, five nonprofits are selected to receive the $100,000 prize based upon three primary criteria:
- Born in Brooklyn: Organizations that have a deep history in Brooklyn and a continued commitment to serving the borough.
- Commitment to Equity: Organizations that address systemic challenges and advance racial and social justice for all Brooklynites.
- Vision for Future: Organizations that have a strong vision for the future of their work in Brooklyn and beyond.
Twenty finalists for the Brooklyn Org Spark Prize also receive up to $5,000 in matching funds through our Brooklyn Gives on GivingTuesday campaign—celebrated each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving—to encourage local donors to support their work.
Brooklyn Org has its ear to the ground and has been very intentional about supporting organizations that weren’t necessarily the most well known — but they are definitely organizations that are doing their level best to have an impact.Dr. Raymond Codrington, President and CEO of Weeksville Heritage Center, 2022 Spark Prize Winners
Brooklyn Org Spark Prize Winners
2024 Winners
2023 Winners
Arab-American Family Support Center
Kings Against Violence Initiative
Mixteca Organization
STEM From Dance (pictured)
Workers Justice Project
2022 Winners
Arab American Association of New York (pictured)
Black Women’s Blueprint
Brooklyn Movement Center
Groundswell Community Mural Project
Weeksville Heritage Center
2020 Winners
Brownsville Community Justice Center
Children of Promise, NYC (pictured)
Noel Pointer Foundation
North Brooklyn Coalition
Sadie Nash Leadership Project
2019 Winners
The Campaign Against Hunger (pictured)
Cypress Hills Child Care Corporation
Girls for Gender Equity
Red Hook Community Justice Center
VOCAL-NY
2018 Winners
Cave Canem
Center for Law and Social Justice
exalt
GRIOT Circle (pictured)
Red Hook Initiative
2017 Winners
Audre Lorde Project
Common Justice
Make the Road New York (pictured)
MoCADA
Neighbors Together
The Brooklyn Org Spark Prize inspires us to keep focusing on how we can make Brooklyn more sustainable, compassionate, and a leader in creating a dignified industry for canners, who are essential workers on the frontlines of the waste crisis.Ryan Castalia
Executive Director of Sure We Can
