Questions

Greater NY is a 501(c)(3) organization that matches nonprofit and private sector leaders in executive partnerships to strengthen the civic connection between the corporate community and the nonprofits making a critical impact on New York. Since 2009, Greater NY has carefully matched and facilitated almost 100 partnerships that meet once a month for confidential, advisory conversation.

Greater NY was launched in response to the financial crisis of 2008 as an initiative of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City during the Bloomberg Administration. Originally conceived as a two-year initiative to support nonprofit leaders in a time of need, Greater NY has grown to be a unique network, committed to bringing together the best minds to address some of NYC’s most pressing problems.

Greater NY partners are carefully matched with input from both executives. An introductory meeting is scheduled and, if successful, partners agree to meet one hour a month for two years and choose a few key issues to focus on that will guide their work together. Greater NY matches partnerships on a rolling basis, but officially launches a new class every April. In addition to matching leaders, Greater NY holds monthly events for its network. Greater NY relies on charitable donations and our private sector partners are asked to make a financial contribution to support this work. There is no cost to nonprofit leaders to participate in Greater NY.

Greater NY intentionally matches a small number of partnerships every year. Nonprofit partners are nominated by foundations that work closely with New York’s community-based organizations. Corporate partners are nominated through Greater NY’s Board and network. A key part of eligibility is a commitment to collaboration and cross-sector learning.

Greater NY partners talk about and work on management issues that drive success – or hold it back – at both the organizational and issue level. Nonprofit leaders say Greater NY provides a rare chance for confidential conversation on management with someone outside their network and not on their Board or staff. Corporate partners say Greater NY expands their understanding of complex social issues and enables them to bring a personal skillset for addressing big problems. On both sides, Greater NY partners call their regular meetings “the most interesting hour of my day.”

The Greater NY Analyst Corps matches early-career financial professionals with finance and/or operations staff at nonprofit organizations to work together on high-priority data analysis and presentation projects that address critical organizational needs.

Analysts from participating corporate entities are nominated for the program. Analysts are carefully matched with a nonprofit and the partnered teams work together on a key organizational challenge, with clearly articulated deliverables, deadlines and goals. Projects typically take 3-6 months and result in tangible and valuable work products. Often, the experience is so productive and meaningful that the participants continue to work together to address new challenges.

Greater NY measures success against its mission to build a network of leaders solving problems for New York City. Each partnership sets unique goals for its work and 80% of partnerships meet or exceed these goals. 92% of partnerships say they were well-matched for their work together and 100% of partners were satisfied with the Greater NY experience and recommend the program. Greater NY also works across all partnerships to develop and measure a set of key leadership practices that strengthen the culture of collaboration and civic engagement for New York City. More information is available on request.