Spark Prize

Celebrating Exceptional Nonprofits That Have Sparked Lasting Change in Brooklyn’s Communities

The Spark Prize provides over $600,000 total each year to organizations with a strong track record of addressing critical challenges and opportunities in Brooklyn. We aim to celebrate Brooklyn-born organizations that demonstrate a commitment to equity and racial justice, creativity and impact, strong institutional values, and a dynamic vision for the future of their work in Brooklyn and beyond. The Prize is named for and informed by our mission to spark change for a fair and just Brooklyn.

Each year, five nonprofits are selected to receive the $100,000 prize by the Spark Prize Committee of distinguished Brooklynites through a competitive application process. Twenty finalists for the Spark Prize each receive up to $5,000 in matching funds through our #BrooklynGives on Giving Tuesday campaign—celebrated each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving—to encourage local donors to support to their work.

Organizations are asked to address three primary criteria in their applications:

Born in Brooklyn: Organizations that have a deep history in Brooklyn and a continued commitment to serving the borough.
Commitment to Equity: Organizations that address systemic challenges and advance racial and social justice for all Brooklynites.
Vision for Future: Organizations that have a strong vision for the future of their work in Brooklyn and beyond.