Grant Readiness and Insights Training (GRIT)

Grant Readiness and Insights Training (GRIT) is sponsored by Robin Hood Foundation. An invite-only program designed for leaders of NYC poverty-fighting nonprofits not currently funded by Robin Hood, offering training and capacity-building support.

Grant Readiness and Insights Training - Robin Hood Grant Readiness and Insights Training The nonprofit sector is vital to delivering human services and is essential to our city’s economy. Robin Hood’s Grant Readiness and Insights Training initiative (GRIT) is an invite-only program designed for visionary leaders of NYC poverty-fighting nonprofits not currently funded by Robin Hood.

Launched with Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2016 and with ongoing underwriting, GRIT provides training and capacity-building support to help organizations improve operational effectiveness, build financial sustainability, and grow their impact, ultimately strengthening New York’s poverty-fighting ecosystem.

GRIT offers selected participants the following targeted support: Educational Sessions: In-person educational sessions focused on program design, learning and measurement, program costs and budgeting, and individual/ foundation fundraising. Enhanced capacity building support: Capacity-building grant opportunity focused on strengthening their program model, theory of change, or learning and measurement tools.

​ New communications coaching: A dedicated communications coach to help refine verbal pitches for foundation and individual donor outreach. ​ Direct proposal feedback: Real-time, one-on-one, proposal feedback from Robin Hood program officers, providing an insider perspective on what funders look for.

​ Expanded ongoing resources: Access to our Management Acceleration Hub—a comprehensive resource center featuring tools, templates, and ongoing webinars that extend support well beyond the seven-month program. Strengthened peer learning: New informal networking opportunities before each session create additional space for peer exchange and collaborative problem-solving.

AI Curriculum elements: Tips and learnings for incorporating AI into relevant GRIT topics, including fundraising, learning, and measurement. John Clemente, Executive Director, South Bronx Community Charter H. S.

John Clemente, Executive Director, South Bronx Community Charter H. S. John is the Executive Director of South Bronx Community Charter High School, empowering students of color in the Bronx with rigorous academics, internships at leading companies, and strong college acceptance rates through a culturally affirming environment.

Desiree Elder, Executive Director, FCBC Community Development Corporation Desiree Elder, Executive Director, FCBC Community Development Corporation Desiree leads FCBC Community Development Corporation, igniting transformation in Harlem through education, the arts, economic empowerment, health awareness, and civic engagement via its Dream Center and Hope Center community hubs.

Yesenia Garcia-Fortuna, Executive Director, Summer Search Yesenia Garcia-Fortuna, Executive Director, Summer Search Yesenia leads Summer Search NYC, supporting underserved high school students through immersive summer experiences and professional mentorship, equipping young people to break barriers and lead purposeful lives.

Zoe Henriquez, Executive Director, Read Ahead Zoe Henriquez, Executive Director, Read Ahead Zoe leads Read Ahead, which pairs trained volunteer mentors from corporate partners with NYC public elementary school students for weekly, reading-based mentoring that builds literacy and social-emotional skills.

Arielle Kandel, Executive Director, New Women New Yorkers Arielle Kandel, Executive Director, New Women New Yorkers Arielle leads New Women New Yorkers, empowering immigrant women in NYC with workforce development, mentoring, and professional community programs to achieve economic independence and meaningful employment.

Vic Lee, Executive Director, Welcome to Chinatown Vic Lee, Executive Director, Welcome to Chinatown Vic leads Welcome to Chinatown, supporting Manhattan’s Chinatown community through small business grants, entrepreneurship programs, and cultural preservation.

Ingrid Matias Chungata, Executive Director, Nuestros Niños Ingrid Matias Chungata, Executive Director, Nuestros Niños Ingrid leads Nuestros Niños, providing high-quality early childhood education and family support services to Latino families in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, preparing young children ages 2–4 for lifelong learning.

Marisa Mitchell, Executive Director, Hypothekids Marisa Mitchell, Executive Director, Hypothekids Marisa leads HYPOTHEkids, providing K-12 STEAM education and internship opportunities to students from low-resource NYC communities, connecting them with scientists and engineers to build skills for a high-tech economy.

Jhody Polk, Executive Director, Jailhouse Lawyers Initiative Jhody Polk, Executive Director, Jailhouse Lawyers Initiative Jhody leads the Jailhouse Lawyers Initiative, training incarcerated legal advocates across the U.S., expanding access to justice, and empowering over members to advocate for themselves and their communities.

Amy Shebar, Associate Executive Director, Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation Amy Shebar, Associate Executive Director, Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation Amy leads the Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation, building thriving Bronx communities through youth development, afterschool programs, housing advocacy, and community development services across the Northeast Bronx. Rev.

Walter Sotelo, Executive Director, NYC Love Kitchen Rev. Walter Sotelo, Executive Director, NYC Love Kitchen Walter leads NYC Love Kitchen, serving the Washington Heights/Inwood community with hot meals five days a week, an emergency food pantry, and referrals to social services for New Yorkers in need.

Dr. Dina Zoleo, Co-CEO, The Writing Revolution Dr. Dina Zoleo, Co-CEO, The Writing Revolution Dina is the Co-CEO of The Writing Revolution, training educators in the evidence-based Hochman Method to build students’ writing and analytical skills across all subjects and grade levels, with a focus on underserved communities.

Primary mission aligned with Robin Hood’s poverty-fighting portfolio ​ NYC-based and serving NYC residents ​ Organization has been fully operational for approximately five years, and budget is approximately $1M – $10M ​ More than four full-time employees on staff ​ Not a current or former Robin Hood grantee (COVID-19 relief fund recipients are eligible) ​ Have an Executive Director who has been with the organization for at least one year and is committed to attending all six GRIT workshops Note: Participation in GRIT does not guarantee Robin Hood funding.

GRIT is invite only.

Click here to submit an expression of interest Of GRIT alumni survey respondents successfully received new corporate and/or philanthropic support and/or increased board engagement New York City nonprofits supported by GRIT across the five boroughs Learn more about our grantees Getting Results in Transition: Robin Hood's (GRIT) Program with Suzi Epstein and Kim DiPalo How Robin Hood Cultivates Early-Stage Nonprofits 4 Questions Evidence-Based Funders Ask Non-Profits, and How to Answer Them 100% of ticket sales go directly to the poverty fight.

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