#20 Maria Mottola, New York Foundation

The New York Foundation is a singular resource for neighborhood based organizations in NYC, often start-ups, that prioritize organizing and community engagement. These groups may have modest resources but their voice, impact and influence is growing. They are identifying problems and solutions within failing systems, from housing to schools to immigration. As executive director Maria Mottola explains, NYF's theory of change making is rooted in its values and history. Whether funding Nepalese women in Jackson Heights, Queens, or tenant organizers in the Bronx, NYF is expanding on the legacy of believing in, and building the capacity of, community members to make the change they want to see. Maria and the New York Foundation are engaged where it matters most, supporting neighborhood leaders and developing community infrastructure.