Learning Circles: Organization Assessment Form

Program Overview

Learning Circles is an intensive capacity building initiative supporting nonprofits as they move from learning to application. It integrates the following modalities:

Expert-led in-person and virtual sessions
Individual organizational coaching
Peer collaboration

Demystifying the NYC Council Application, Award and Collection Process

New York City Council discretionary funding can be a critical source of support for nonprofit organizations and successfully securing funding requires much more than completing an application. This Learning Circle supports organizations from pre-application planning through post-award stewardship. Led by former New York City Council Member Helen Rosenthal, participants receive expert guidance through every stage of the discretionary funding process, from preparing for outreach and building relationships to developing competitive applications and maintaining strong stewardship practices.

Throughout the Learning Circle, the cohort will engage in interactive workshops, group coaching, individualized technical assistance, peer learning, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen both their funding strategy and their long-term relationships with City Council offices.

Participants will learn how to:

Navigate the NYC Council discretionary funding process and timeline
Build strategic relationships with Council Members and their staff
Develop a funding strategy prior to the FY28 application deadline
Craft stronger funding requests and application narratives
Strengthen stewardship practices if funding is awarded

Ideal for nonprofit professionals who are:

Applying for NYC Council discretionary funding for the first time
Preparing to submit an application for FY28 due in February
Seeking feedback on their funding strategy and program pitch

Dates & Times:

September 16, 2026 (12:00-4:00PM) (in person) – Cohort Kickoff: Big picture overview
October 21, 2026 (2:00PM-4:00PM) (virtual) – Strategic roadmap and building informal relationships
October 29, 2026 (12:00-4:00PM) (in person)– Group peer review of nonprofit individualized “one-pagers”
December 9, 2026 (11:00-12:00) (virtual) – Application development coaching lab
February 2, 2027 (11:00-12:00) (virtual) – Prepare for formal NYCC meetings, including how to get a meeting, agendas, and the power of thank you
February 23, 2027 (2:00PM-4:00PM) (virtual) – Review post application next steps, including materials needed for the Mayor’s Office of Contracts
March – May 2027 – Maintaining relationships with Council offices and continuing peer exchange. One-on-one technical coaching available
July 2027 – Alumni Networking and Celebration Event (optional)

Participant Expectations:

Attend and actively participate in the six scheduled Learning Circle sessions (in-person and virtual). While we understand that occasional conflicts may arise, participants are expected to attend the full series whenever possible.
Schedule and participate in individualized technical assistance/coaching sessions.
Engage in peer learning and group discussions throughout the cohort.

Pricing (includes all sessions for up to 2 staff members):

Nonprofit New York Members: $30 per organization
Non-members: $50 per organization

Thank you for your interest in this Learning Circle. To help ensure participants receive the greatest benefit from the program, we ask all prospective participants to complete this brief assessment before receiving access to the registration and payment page. The Nonprofit New York team reviews all responses to assess program fit and, when applicable, may follow up with additional questions before confirming registration.

I read and agree to the program requirements above.

Organization Information

Organization Name

Please select your organization's NTEE category/primary activity:

Enter your organization's annual expenses (i.e. operating budget size):

How many full time staff are employed by your organization? (Include only full-time, paid staff. Do not include volunteers, board members, or open positions).

How many part-time staff or volunteers work at your organization?

Demystifying the NYC Council Application, Award, and Collection Process

Contact Information for First Staff Member

First Name

Last Name

Job Title

Work Email

Phone Number

Contact Information for Second Staff Member

First Name

Last Name

Job Title

Work Email

Phone Number

Have you applied to the NYC Council for funding before?

YesNo

Do you plan to submit an application to the NYC Council for Fiscal Year '28 (submission dates mid-January - mid-February 2027)?

YesNo

Have you received funding from the NYC Council in any fiscal year?

YesNo

What challenges are you most interested in addressing as you apply for discretionary funding from the NYC Council? (212 word limit)

Closing

What do you hope to get out of this program?

Is there anything else you would like us to know about you or your organization?

Thank you for completing this form. The Nonprofit New York team will review your submission to ensure the Learning Circle is the right fit for your organization and that the individualized coaching and technical assistance resources are allocated in a way that best supports participating organizations. If we need additional information, a member of our team will reach out to you. Otherwise, once your self-assessment has been reviewed, you will receive a link to complete your registration and payment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to programs@nonprofitnewyork.org with the subject line "Learning Circles".