Times are tough, but New York City is tougher.

It's a challenging time all over the country, and it feels even harder and more painful right now in New York City. We're feeling that too. We've all still got a ways to go to overcome this crisis, but we know that New York will also be a beacon of hope to the world. Just as sure as we’re facing challenging times now, so too will we roll up our sleeves and heal, rebuild, and recover with that tenacity and grit you can only find in New York City. 

Working together, even as we practice social distancing and follow the CDC's and the Health Department's guidelines, we know we'll get through this. Check out the projects below that are crowdfunding right now to respond to this crisis, or, start your own project. 

 

Double your donations

When you crowdfund for a project that provides relief for low-income neighbors who might be hardest hit by this crisis, we'll match up to $8,000 and we'll waive our fiscal sponsorship and platform fees. Relief projects should be led or co-led by residents of the neighborhoods that projects take place in, and/or people personally affected by the issues the project addresses. Project leaders should have strong relationships with the communities they plan to serve.

Eligible projects include providing essential emergency supplies like food, baby supplies, medication and more; Providing masks, gloves, and other protective gear to low-wage essential workers; providing tech and internet access to those that need them; offering affordable health services like prenatal care, trauma counseling, and mental health services; learn more about eligibility for this program here. 

Learn how to get matched

 

Projects currently crowdfunding

  • WATERSHED RED HOOK

    Catalyzing conversation about climate change and infrastructure issues that are critical to areas like Red Hook.

    NEEDS: $0 of 1,910

  • Ocean Bay Community Gardens

    The Ocean Bay Community Gardens will serve as a resource for residents to learn about gardening, gain access to fresh and nutritious produce, and to make informed decisions about their health and diet. 

    NEEDS: $0 of 28,565
  • Building new raised garden beds with volunteers

    Grow our Garden!

    Help us grow and beautify Wyckoff-Fidler park including planting 3000 bulbs, 3 new raised garden bed, and a garden shed. 

    NEEDS: $0 of 4,857 + Volunteers

  • Best of Brownsville Photo Project

    Three photo display kiosks located under the elevated line on Livonia showcase images from the public curated by local youth over an 11 month installation to display the best qualities of Brownsville.

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,525 + Volunteers

  • Blooming Streets- NYCHA Community Garden

    This project is a contribution to New York City's sustainable future.  We're growing flowers, we're growing friendships, we're growing a community.

    NEEDS: $0 of 1,323 + Volunteers

  • Isabahlia Healthy Food Festival

    The Isabahlia Healthy Food Festival is a day dedicated to engaging Livonia Avenue and spreading the word about the importance about eating healthy to Brownsville residents.

    NEEDS: $0 of 3,254
  • Good Vibes concerts

    A Place for Community at 125th & Park

    This summer, we hope to start warm-weather activities EARLIER and keep them going LONGER THAN EVER BEFORE! In 2017, backed by popular demand, we plan to be in the plaza with full programming from MAY TO OCTOBER.

    NEEDS: $0 of 20,635 + Volunteers

Start a project

Ready to get started? Share your idea with us here and you’ll get an ioby Success Strategist dedicated to you. They’ll offer personalized coaching to help you work through developing your project idea, fundraising for it in your community, and bringing it to life. Remember, to be eligible to crowdfund with ioby your project must take place in the United States, be local to where you live, work, or play, and have a clear public and community benefit that anyone can access. Learn more about eligibility.

Start a project

What projects are eligible?

 

Resources

We've compiled a running list of resources from our neighbors and from around the web so that you and your neighbors can start thinking about ways that you can lend a hand and care for the people around you when times are tough. Use them to start your own project, or to plug into efforts already underway.

COVID-19 Resources in NYC

 

About ioby

ioby (in our back yards) is a 501c3 nonprofit crowdfunding platform for projects that improve community life. Anyone with a great idea for their community can collect tax-deductible donations, find volunteers, and access one-on-one customized fundraising coaching on ioby.org. ioby's services are available nationwide to individuals, informal groups, schools and other nonprofits working to make their communities stronger, greener, more equitable and more vibrant.

 

some of ioby's partners in New York