NYC Her Future Announces Community Catalyst Awards to Invest in Young Women and Girls Across New York City

NEW YORK, NY — NYC Her Future, a unit within the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), today announced the launch of the NYC Her Future Community Catalyst Awards, a new funding opportunity designed to strengthen and expand programs that center the leadership, voices, and potential of young women and girls, and all those who identify as such, across New York City.

Through the competitive grant opportunity, NYC Her Future will provide one-time awards ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to eligible nonprofit and community-based organizations implementing innovative, equity-driven initiatives that help young women and girls overcome barriers to success, build belonging and self-efficacy, and create lasting impact in their communities.

“Every young person should help shape the future of our city. The Community Catalyst Awards invest in the leadership and potential of young women and girls across the five boroughs, helping turn their ideas into action,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We’re building a New York City where every young person can lead this city into a future that works for all of us.”

“Economic justice begins with ensuring young women have access to the skills, relationships, and resources that can shape their future,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “We are so proud to announce this year’s Community Catalyst Awards supporting the organizations doing this work will help more young women and girls turn their talent and ambition into lasting opportunity.”

“NYC Her Future is committed to ensuring that young women and girls across our city have the resources, opportunities, and support they need to lead and thrive,” said NYC Chief Equity Officer & NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice Commissioner Afua Atta-Mensah. “The Community Catalyst Awards recognize the critical role that community-based organizations play in creating pathways to leadership, economic opportunity, wellness, creativity, and connection. By investing directly in organizations that know their communities best, we can help expand opportunities and strengthen the foundation for a more equitable New York City.”

“Community organizations are often closest to the young people they serve and are uniquely positioned to identify and address the barriers affecting their communities,” said NYC Her Future Founding Executive Director Nathifa Forde. “The Community Catalyst Awards will help organizations build on that work and create opportunities for young women and girls to develop their skills, pursue their goals, and shape the future of their communities.”

The Community Catalyst Awards are part of NYC Her Future’s broader work to advance gender equity and expand economic opportunities for young women and girls, and all those who identify as such, throughout New York City.

Eligible projects may build upon existing programming in areas including:

Applications for the NYC Her Future Community Catalyst Grant are due November 6, 2026, at 12pm. Applicants are encouraged to attend an information session on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 1 pm and submit the required materials through the website at on.nyc.gov/nycherfuturefunding.

“I have always been intentional about opening doors for young women and girls because I know how much access to the right resources, relationships and opportunities can shape what comes next,” said New York City Council Deputy Speaker Dr. Natasha Williams. “Sometimes one introduction, one connection or simply having someone invest in your potential can change the trajectory of a young woman’s life. A new skill, a creative outlet, a mentor or a connection can be the spark that ignites something much bigger. The Community Catalyst Awards invest in that foundation by putting grant funding behind organizations that have already earned trust and understand what the young women in their communities need to grow. That means more young women can have access to the mentorship, experiences and connections that can help shape what they see as possible for themselves, and I’m excited to see where that growth takes them.”

“Every young woman and girl deserves the opportunity to see herself as a leader, to explore her potential, and to have the resources to turn her goals into reality,” said New York City Council Member Althea Stevens, Chair of the Committee on Children & Youth. “Too often, our young people face barriers that can limit their ability to thrive, and community-based organizations are doing the work every day to break those barriers down. These Community Catalyst Awards are an important investment in organizations that understand their communities and are creating meaningful pathways for young women and girls to lead, grow, and succeed. When we invest in our young people, we are investing in the strength, creativity, and future of our entire city.”

“Every young woman and girl deserves the resources, opportunities, and support to lead and shape her future,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “Investing in the community organizations that make that possible is an investment in a more just and equitable New York City. I’m proud to see NYC Her Future put real resources behind that vision.”

NYC Her Future was formed in 2024 to address the disparities that young women of color face across NYC in education, employment, justice, and health, and provide them with the tools to be successful by their own definition. Through developing and championing policies, programs, and partnerships that holistically support the success of young women of color throughout NYC, NYC Her Future is dedicated to fostering positive change and creating a brighter future for girls and women.