Idealist and Communitas America - NYC Spring Program

Take Action Against Food Insecurity in NYC

The Idealist Action Incubator and Communitas America are joining forces to support New Yorkers committed to food justice. Apply to our free community action program to access the support you need to launch your own nonprofit in NYC.

Our in-person program starts May 7, 2025.

Apply Today

Join our community of like-minded New Yorkers!

Weekly workshops

Each week, we’ll delve into a topic that focuses on how you can move forward with your food justice initiative.

Space to work and collaborate

Join us at the Idealist and Communitas America headquarters to work on your venture with other changemakers in NYC.

Expert tips and resources

We’ll provide you with advice, tips, and resources to take the next steps toward advancing your initiative.

Join us in NYC

Our in-person five-week program is specifically for nonprofit launchers or founders working to address food justice in the NYC area.

Workshops will be hosted at Idealist and Heyground Harlem/Communitas:

Wednesday, May 7 at 6:00 pm: Introduction/Moving From Intention to Action workshop at Idealist
Wednesday, May 14 at 6:00 pm: Business Model Project at Communitas/Heyground Harlem
Wednesday, May 21, time/place TBA, expected 6 hr day: Site Visit; In Podcast Mode x Social Connectivity Workshop
Wednesday, May 28 at 6:00 pm: Action to Impact Workshop at Communitas/Heyground Harlem
Wednesday, June 4 at 6:00 pm: Pitch Night at Idealist

FAQs

If you are working toward launching a nonprofit or currently managing an organization that is committed to achieving food justice in the NYC area, can attend weekly workshops for five weeks at two different sites, can demonstrate a strong commitment to following through on your goals, and are eager to make a real impact in the world, this program is for you.

Applicants' initiatives can range from the following:

Services, products, or resources aimed at improving access to food or healthy eating in under-resourced communities

Educational programs or services centering on food, nutrition, agriculture, food equity, healthy eating, and food culture diversity, among other topics.

Programs, products, services, or other resources aimed at promoting diverse food culture and visibility

Health and wellness services, programs, products, or other resources

Food, gardening, agriculture programming, sustainability, and technology

Our five-week program will feature weekly in-person workshops that will guide you through:

How to plan and map out your initiative

Creating a business model that aligns with your overall vision

Developing a Theory of Change that aligns with the impact you seek to make

Gaining real-world insight into an existing nonprofit and its best practices

Joining a supportive community of like-minded peers addressing food justice in NYC

Additionally, participants will have access to workspaces at Idealist and Communitas America during the five-week program to work on their initiative with fellow collaborators. They will also have access to other resources to help them move forward with planning and launching their venture. More details will follow upon selection to the program.