NYJL community partner application

NYJL VOLUNTEERS STRENGTHEN THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEW YORK CITY.

Our community partners are NYC-based organizations that work hand-in-hand with an NYJL team of trained volunteers for one-off projects and ongoing programs. Aside from collaborating with community partners on their established programs and projects, the NYJL can also customize programs to fulfill service gaps and meet clients’ unique needs.

The NYJL comprises five community councils, or focus areas, that each carry out distinct projects: Children’s Education; Adult Education and Mentoring; Child Health & Welfare; Culture & the Arts; and City Impact.

Types of ongoing programs include life skills workshops for clients transitioning out of homelessness, the foster care system, or incarceration; health and leadership programs for adolescents; visual and performing arts for children; job readiness and career development; nutrition workshops; financial literacy; community space renovations; and academic support, among others.

If you have any questions about how we work with community partners, or the application process below, please email community@nyjl.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply to be an NYJL community partner  Complete the application

  • Application process overview

  • Step 1: First, determine if your proposed project meets NYJL requirements.
    • • Is your project located in Manhattan?
    • • Is it designed to utilize trained NYJL volunteers? (Please note, NYJL volunteers cannot participate in fundraising-related activities for other organizations.)
    • • Does it fall within one of our four Community Councils: Adult Education & Mentoring, Children’s Education, Culture & the Arts, City Impact, or Child Health & Welfare? Please read the descriptions of each area above to determine whether your organization’s mission and proposed project would fit within the NYJL’s existing community priorities.
  • Step 2: Formally propose a program which takes into account the following:
    • • The NYJL volunteer year runs from September through May. Volunteer activities must take place within this period of time, with daytime programs running from 10:00 a.m. to noon and evening programs starting at 6:30 p.m. or later.
    • • Volunteer activities do not take place during the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Committees typically meet weekly or bi-weekly for 1 to 2 hours. Weekday projects are preferable.
  • Step 3: If approved, work with NYJL’s Community Senior Council Head to determine the appropriate partnership level. Partnership may take the form of either an ongoing NYJL volunteer committee—your project is ongoing and requires regular and consistent attendance by a dedicated group of NYJL volunteers on specific day(s) of the week—or a one-off volunteer event that occurs up to several times per year but does not require a formal volunteer committee.
  • Timeline: Your application will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year. All newly established partnerships will begin in September.* Applications must be submitted by December 31 of the year prior to the proposed partnership start day. In some instances expressions of interest will be considered after the deadline.*Please note that delays in the normal consideration time may occur during the months of June, July, and August when NYJL volunteers are not as active.
  • Application process:
    1. The organization completes and submits the Community Partner Application through NYJL’s website.
    2. An auto-generated email will be sent to the organization to confirm receipt.
    3. The NYJL will review and evaluate the Community Partner Application within thirty (30) days of receipt.
    4. The NYJL will send an email to the organization contact indicating whether or not the NYJL will proceed further with the review process.
    5. If approved to proceed, an in-person interview and site visit with the organization at the proposed project site will be arranged.
    6. If approved, the organization may be asked to help coordinate and schedule a one-off volunteer event, also known as a Done in a Day (DIAD) On Demand test event, that would closely model the proposed volunteer project. Both the organization and participating NYJL committee complete an event evaluation.
    7. The NYJL Board of Directors vote whether to approve the new community partner—the partnership will either become an ongoing, long-term NYJL volunteer committee or a DIAD project that requires NYJL volunteers less frequently.
    8. If approved, the organization and the NYJL execute a formal Letter of Agreement establishing a long-term partnership.

  • Ready to start the application process?  Complete the application

  • Questions? Do you know of an organization that might be a great community partner for the New York Junior League? Email the Community Senior Council Head at community@nyjl.org.