The Brooklyn Org Spark Prize is a prestigious annual award that honors longstanding nonprofit organizations that serve the Brooklyn community and embody a deep commitment to racial justice, equity, and transformative impact. The 2026 application cycle opened on February 25, 2025, and will close on May 9, 2025, at 5 PM EDT. Finalists will be announced in October 2025, with winners revealed in January 2026. The Spark Prize includes recognition and general operating support, with a culminating celebration at the Brooklyn Org Spark Breakfast in March 2026.
Eligible organizations must serve Brooklyn residents, be operational for more than five years, have a minimum organizational budget of $200,000, and hold 501(c)(3) status or operate under a fiscal sponsor with a memorandum of understanding. Organizations must have an active governing body. While the program prioritizes Brooklyn-founded and headquartered organizations, nonprofits with a substantial and long-standing presence in Brooklyn are also encouraged to apply.
The application asks organizations to articulate their history in Brooklyn, their equity-centered mission, and vision for the future. Funding is awarded as general operating support, not restricted project grants. While the Prize includes visibility and participation in Brooklyn Gives on Giving Tuesday—with up to $5,000 in matching funds for each finalist—an organization’s fundraising results do not influence the final award decision.
The Prize is not available to individuals, capital campaigns, or schools (including public, private, charter, and PTAs). Former winners may not reapply, though past applicants and finalists are encouraged to reapply.
