Program Description

NYC Emergency Management is seeking up to 10 active networks or coalitions working in New York City to apply to the Strengthening Communities program.

Strengthening Communities is a multi-year program that provides structured interactive trainings, technical assistance, coaching, and open office hours to selected cohort of networks and coalitions, helping them create emergency plans tailored to their community.
  • During the first year, NYCEM will provide $40,000 to each participating Network/Coalition to support the development of a community emergency plan.
  • After the first year, each Network/Coalition will be offered the opportunity to earn up to $10,000/annually through sustainment programming. Sustainment programming seeks to continue to improve network's community emergency plan and support local preparedness activities.
  • Active Strengthening Communities networks may also be requested by NYCEM to support the overall response of the City before, during, and after emergencies. During these activations, networks will be paid according to need and capacity.
Strengthening Communities utilizes a cohort model; each year NYC Emergency Management enrolls a new group of Networks/Coalitions so that Networks/Coalitions are able to learn from each other and a collective momentum is established. There are currently four existing cohorts for a total of 42 Networks/Coalitions.

Program Benefits: By participating in Strengthening Communities programming, Networks/Coalitions will be able to:
  • Serve as a subject matter experts in emergency preparedness education and planning within their communities.
  • Establish a formal pathway to integrate into the City’s Emergency Operation Center when major emergencies impact the City.
  • Learn and thrive within a structured peer-to-peer learning environment.
  • Increase their connections with other Networks/Coalitions and additional City agencies.
Definition of Network/Coalition: NYC Emergency Management defines a Network/Coalition as group of three or more organizations (community and/or faith-based organizations) who are organized to address a need, gap or inequity within their community. Some examples include but are not limited to climate change, gun violence, housing, disability rights, food insecurity, faith education, health equity, etc.

January 2026 – June 2026 Programming (Year 1)

Applicants who are selected will be asked to complete five specific deliverables over the course of 5 rigorous months. NYC Emergency Management staff will be there throughout this process to guide networks through the completion of the below deliverables.
  • Creating a Needs Assessment
  • Establishing a Community Map and Resource Directory
  • Preparing an Emergency Communication Strategy
  • Designing a plan on how to Manage Donations and Volunteers after emergencies
  • Developing a Comprehensive Community Emergency Plan for various types of emergencies

Deliverable Type Timing Total Value
Needs Assessment February $5,000
Community Map & Resource
Directory		 March $10,000
Emergency Communication
Strategies		 April $6,000
Donations & Volunteer
Management Strategy		 May $5,000
Comprehensive Community
Emergency Plan		 June $14,000
Total Grant: $40, 000

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