As The New York Community Trust celebrates its centennial year in 2024, its president Amy Freitag stands at the helm of an organization that has profoundly shaped New York City’s philanthropic landscape for a century. With a career spanning over two decades in the nonprofit, philanthropic, and government sectors, Freitag brings a wealth of experience and a passion for social impact to her role leading one of the largest and most influential community foundations in the United States.
A Journey of Purpose
Freitag’s path to The Trust reflects a lifelong commitment to public service and community development. A native of Akron, Ohio, I was immediately connected with her as a fellow Akron-born citizen. And her adventure beyond Akron was equally inspiring. Her early career was marked by a deep interest in historic preservation and urban planning. She earned her undergraduate degree from Smith College, followed by master’s degrees in landscape architecture and Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania.
Freitag’s professional journey began in Philadelphia, where she worked for the Fairmount Park Commission, managing the city’s diverse historic resources. This experience laid the groundwork for her future roles, blending preservation with community development. Her move to New York City in 1999 to lead the Historic House Trust of New York City marked the beginning of her significant impact on the city’s cultural landscape.
Freitag’s career trajectory in New York City is a testament to her leadership skills and vision for urban development. As Deputy Commissioner for Capital Projects in the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation during the Bloomberg administration, she oversaw design, engineering, construction, and historic preservation across the city’s parks. This role honed her skills in managing large-scale projects and navigating complex urban environments.
Her subsequent leadership positions at the World Monuments Fund, Tortora Sillcox Family Foundation, and New York Restoration Project further solidified her expertise in nonprofit management and environmental conservation. These experiences provided Freitag with a comprehensive understanding of New York City’s diverse needs and the role of philanthropy in addressing them.
The JM Kaplan Fund: A Steppingstone
Prior to joining The New York Community Trust, Freitag served as the Executive Director of the JM Kaplan Fund for eight years. During her tenure, she initiated the JMK Innovation Prize and led grantmaking efforts in criminal justice reform. This experience was crucial in shaping her approach to strategic philanthropy and innovation in the nonprofit sector.
Leading The New York Community Trust
In July 2022, Freitag took the reins as President of The New York Community Trust, succeeding Lorie A. Slutsky, who had led the organization for over three decades. Freitag’s appointment came at a critical time, as the Trust was preparing to celebrate its centennial and facing new challenges in a rapidly changing city.
Under Freitag’s leadership, The Trust continues its legacy of addressing the most pressing issues facing New York City. With assets of over $3.2 billion, the foundation distributes more than $200 million annually in grants to vital nonprofits. Freitag describes The Trust as a “crazy quilt of generosity” stitched together by thousands of individual funds over 100 years.
The Trust’s impact on the city over the past century has been immense. From pioneering AIDS research to funding the creation of the High Line and the redevelopment of Governors Island, The Trust has been at the forefront of transformative projects. Under Freitag’s guidance, the organization continues to tackle critical issues such as environmental justice, economic inequality, access to the arts, and LGBTQ+ rights.
One of the Trust’s most significant contributions to philanthropy was the creation of the first-ever donor-advised fund, which has since become a popular charitable giving vehicle nationwide. This innovation exemplifies The Trust’s role in shaping not just New York City, but the broader landscape of American philanthropy.
Addressing Contemporary Challenges
As New York City faces new challenges, including the migrant crisis, housing shortages, and mental health concerns, Freitag and The Trust are positioned to play a crucial role. “We are literally made up of hundreds, actually thousands of individual funds, each created by a different New Yorker with their own vision and goals for the city and region,” Freitag explains. This unique structure allows The Trust to be responsive to current needs while honoring the intentions of past donors.
Freitag’s approach emphasizes the importance of filling gaps in funding where the city government may not be able to reach. The Trust’s ability to connect historical giving with contemporary problems is exemplified by the ongoing impact of actor David Warfield’s gift from the 1920s to support those experiencing vision loss, which has evolved into The Trust becoming one of the largest contributors to disability causes.
As The Trust enters its second century, Freitag is focused on ensuring the organization remains relevant and impactful. This includes embracing new technologies and approaches to philanthropy while staying true to The Trust’s core mission of improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers.
Under Freitag’s leadership, The Trust has undergone a rebranding, including a new logo and website, to signify its many years of impact while integrating its Long Island and Westchester regional offices. This refresh is not just cosmetic but reflects a broader strategy to adapt to changing philanthropic landscapes and community needs.
Freitag’s leadership style emphasizes collaboration and community engagement. She recognizes that The Trust’s strength lies in its ability to bring together diverse stakeholders – from individual donors to nonprofit organizations and government agencies – to address complex social issues.
Her experience across various sectors allows her to bridge gaps between different entities, fostering partnerships that can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions. This collaborative approach is particularly crucial as The Trust tackles multifaceted challenges that require coordinated efforts across multiple domains.
Measuring Impact and Fostering Innovation
Under Freitag’s guidance, The Trust is also focusing on refining its methods for measuring and evaluating the impact of its grants. This emphasis on data-driven decision-making ensures that The Trust’s resources are used most effectively to create tangible, positive changes in communities.
Additionally, Freitag is keen on fostering innovation within the philanthropic sector. Drawing from her experience at the JM Kaplan Fund, where she initiated the JMK Innovation Prize, she is exploring ways to encourage and support innovative approaches to solving social problems through The Trust’s grantmaking processes.
Spread the Wealth
As Amy Freitag leads The New York Community Trust into its second century, she brings a unique blend of experience, vision, and passion for community development. Her leadership comes at a critical time when New York City faces both longstanding and emerging challenges. With Freitag at the helm, The Trust is well-positioned to continue its legacy of impactful philanthropy, adapting to new realities while honoring its rich history of serving New Yorkers.
Through strategic grantmaking, innovative partnerships, and a deep commitment to the city’s diverse communities, Freitag and The New York Community Trust are weaving a new chapter in the organization’s storied history. As they face the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, their work continues to embody the spirit of generosity and community that has defined The Trust for the past hundred years, ensuring that it remains a vital force in shaping the future of New York City and beyond.
