New York City Tourism Foundation
Our foundation provides vital support to the arts and cultural organizations that contribute to the diversity and dynamism of the five boroughs.
Borough Cultural Tourism Grant Program
Since 1999, the Foundation has provided grants across the five boroughs, funding more than 350 organizations that benefit directly from your support at our annual Gala and through other channels. In 2026 the Foundation gave grants to more than 100 organizations representing diverse aspects of the City’s cultural fabric. We expect 2027 applications to open in January. Please email foundationgrants@nyctourism.com with any questions.
New York City Tourism Foundation Events
The 2026 Foundation Gala will be held on Monday, December 7, at the Plaza Hotel. We will be honoring the New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee for bringing the world's biggest game to the world's biggest stage, creating extraordinary impact and excitement across the five boroughs, and building a lasting legacy for future generations. Additional honorees will be announced soon. For more information and to purchase tickets: nyctourism.com/gala.
Our 2025 Foundation Gala was held on December 8 at The Plaza Hotel. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of the Partnership for New York City, who is retiring in 2026. Additional 2025 honorees included The Miranda Family, for their philanthropic impact advancing the City’s arts community, and David Rockwell, for his visionary architectural contributions that have shaped our cultural and public spaces. For more information about the evening and each of our award recipients, read our press release.
Our third annual Summer Soiree was held June 24, 2025, and event photos are available here.
The 2024 Foundation Gala was held on December 9, at The Plaza Hotel. 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the New York City Tourism Foundation. Honorees included Fred Dixon, CEO of Brand USA and Former President and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, and Melba Wilson, owner of Melba’s Restaurant. Alan Steel, CEO of New York Convention Center Operating Corporation, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. For more information about the evening and each of our award recipients, read our press release.
The second annual Summer Soiree was held on June 5, 2024, at Pearl Alley on Pier 17 in The Seaport. Over 200 people attended, and the Foundation raised over $30,000 for the Borough Cultural Grant Program. For more information, please read our press release.
In 2023, the Foundation Gala honored the Greater New York Hospital Association, Liz Neumark and Great Performances Catering, and United Airlines. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jonelle Procope, President and CEO Emerita of the Apollo Theater. For more information about the evening and each of our award recipients, read our press release.
See a complete list of honorees here. For photos from a selection previous events, see below.
About the New York City Tourism Foundation
The New York City Tourism Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that helps sustain New York City’s extraordinary nonprofit arts community through cultural tourism development, audience education and outreach projects. Since its inception, the Foundation has focused on educating domestic and international audiences about the vibrant and diverse cultural community throughout all five boroughs of New York City.
To promote its mission, the Foundation has created a range of programs that educate domestic and international audiences about the vibrant and diverse cultural community throughout New York City. Programs have included NYC Arts on Tour, the Culture Spot monthly campaign and the This is Culture Arts Locator map. The Foundation has also funded programs such as the Borough Cultural Tourism Development Grant Program, which supports audience development for cultural organizations in all five boroughs, as well as scholarships to support the education and development of the next generation of nonprofit cultural professionals.
GET IN TOUCH
Our staff is always ready to answer questions about the New York City Tourism Foundation. Connect with us today by emailing FoundationGrants@nyctourism.com.