Application identifies similar focused programs across the state which can support funding and philanthropic efforts

While the cost and ease of entry into web mapping has come down significantly over the past several years, many organizations – particularly nonprofits and community based programs – still do not have the capacity to create or support their own web mapping program.  While it’s easy enough to create a basic web presence and business profile with Google,  smaller, more community service focused programs can often gain wider exposure as part of larger, more thematic based web mapping applications.  When carefully assembled and exposed to the right audiences, these same mapping services are now serving to reach philanthropic programs looking to support nonprofit efforts and expand their geographic funding footprint.

The 10 Engage New York regions are consistent with the New York State Economic Development Regions

One such web map is Engage New York.  Launched in 2021, this interactive map is intended to constitute and visually represent  the Empire State nonprofit landscape which is critical to foundations and nonprofit leaders in supporting community-based initiatives  The initial map included over 300 organizations which categorizes their services as well as identifying the geographic area where they’re located and working.   It is intended to be used by nonprofit leaders and funding organizations to build relationships, strengthen interregional networking, identify geographic gaps in the nonprofit ecosystem and aid place-based nonprofits to find peers and colleagues working on similar issues in other regions of the state. The map is the work of the organization of the same name – Engage New York (ENY).

After reinvigorating the network in 2018 and focusing on issues including immigration and safe and healthy housing, ENY in 2020 moved to support movements and movement leaders throughout New York State that were organizing communities impacted by injustice. Engage New York Program Manager Lisa Fasolo Frishman comments “We know that all of the issue areas are intersectional and it is more important for us as a network to support leaders and movements that are inclusive of voices that are often excluded from advocacy efforts particularly in underserved and rural areas. Census 2020 and redistricting work has been a pivotal area for us because representation matters, and we are committed to ensuring communities impacted by injustice are seen and heard.”

Behind the Map

While the interactive map is built with ArcGIS Online, an accompanying Story Map provides further background on the Engage New York Project as well as a tutorial on how to use buttons and pop-up window to mine for additional data. 

Of the 44 organizations listed as part of the registry in Broome County, 33 are involved in Direct Services, 24 in Community Development, seven in Community Organizing, and 35 in Advocacy.

Both regions (10) and counties (62) have detailed data broken down into the three same categories: Types of Activities (4), Target Audience (16), and Focus Areas (19)) so users can see how categories and data compare from the local (county) to the regional level.  Such data can be found by hovering over the pie chart associated with each of the three categories.  Some organizations are at risk and have the opportunity to have their exact location masked though the map app provides a descriptive listing of services and geographic footprint served.  

With regard to the mapping application, Frishman notes “When we created the ENY interactive map we were hoping to map nonprofit organizations across New York State to help funders find grantees that they would otherwise not find. We are pleased to have taken on a leadership role in creating this map that campaign and coalition leaders tell us is important for finding partners, advocates, and like-minded organizations to strengthen their movements. The map continues to grow, and we are now at the development stage where we are ready to include any New York State-based nonprofit that wants to be included.”

The application offers a comprehensive listing of all organizations in the database providing information and contact on each.

Another similar mapping application in this space also focusing on New York State, though focusing more on climate change and climate justice, can be found on the NYRenews home page.

For more information on how your organization can become listed as part of the Engage New York mapping application, contact:

Lisa Fasolo Frishman
Program Manager
Engage New York
info@engagenewyork.org