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GrooveNYC Secures Harry Chapin Foundation Grant to Expand Arts Leadership Program for At-Risk Youth

GrooveNYC Secures Harry Chapin Foundation Grant to Expand Arts Leadership Program for At-Risk Youth

"This wouldn’t have happened without you!" — Maria Gutierrez, Executive Director of GrooveNYC

A graphic featuring a professional headshot of Mikah Pransky, Manager, Grants and Communications, for the Ohio Grants Alliance Her photo is framed in a circular gradient border (burgundy to navy). Overlapping her image is a second circle containing the logo of the Ohio Grants Alliance (OGA), which includes a blue silhouette of the state of Ohio with
Maria Gutierrez, Executive Director of GrooveNYC

The Challenge

GrooveNYC—a 501(c)(3) organization reimagining youth development through non-competitive movement and mindfulness—was struggling to scale their innovative approach beyond local schools and community centers. Their unique model, which integrates dance, music, writing, and art with mindfulness breaks, had proven transformative for students managing stress and building self-confidence. However, with no dedicated grant research capacity, they were missing opportunities to expand their Educator Professional Development workshops, Leadership Academy, and family programs. They lacked visibility into foundations that would understand their developmental rather than performative approach. The organization knew funders existed who valued social-emotional learning and community building, but couldn't navigate the overwhelming grant landscape to find them.

The Solution

GrantExec's intelligent matching algorithm recognized the alignment between GrooveNYC's holistic youth development model and the Harry Chapin Foundation's commitment to addressing root causes of poverty through community transformation. The platform identified this foundation specifically because it values innovative approaches that go beyond traditional programming—perfect for GrooveNYC's "more than dance" philosophy. GrooveNYC's application emphasized measurable impacts on social-emotional learning, the ripple effects of their Educator Professional Development programs, and how their Family GROOVES build stronger communities through intergenerational experiences—positioning the organization as a catalyst for systemic change rather than just another arts program.

Results:

  • Funding Secured: Harry Chapin Foundation grant awarded to expand GrooveNYC's developmental programs

  • Program Expansion: Ability to reach more youth and educators through enhanced workshop offerings.

  • Time Reclaimed: 100+ hours saved on grant research, redirected to program delivery

With this catalytic funding, GrooveNYC is scaling their proven model of helping young people envision their next steps and develop actionable plans to turn dreams into reality.

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