Robin Hood

The Robin Hood Rules for Smart GivingAt Robin Hood we pride...

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:02:30 -0400

The Robin Hood Rules for Smart Giving

At Robin Hood we pride ourselves on funding the most effective programs that have the biggest impact on reducing poverty in New York City. However, poverty is not a straight forward problem and combating it requires attention on multiple fronts such as education, healthcare and jobs. The challenge lies in evaluating the potential impact of dissimilar programs. How do you compare apples to oranges to plums?

Over the past decade our chief program officer Michael Weinstein has developed a disciplined metrics-based system that addresses the challenges non-profits face in determining the impact of their efforts. This system, referred to as “relentless monetization,” has helped Robin Hood become one of the most effective poverty-fighting organizations around.

To help other nonprofit organizations and donors achieve the greatest impact from each philanthropic dollar, Weinstein and Ralph M. Bradburd—long-time consultant to Robin Hood— have written The Robin Hood Rules for Smart Giving, which provides real world examples that demonstrate the benefits of this disciplined approach.

Purchase the book online.

Today program officers stopped by the new Urban Pathways...

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:10:00 -0400

Today program officers stopped by the new Urban Pathways supportive housing development, Hallet’s Cove, home to 47 residents. The individuals living here were formally homeless and are recovering from mental illness.

An Uncommon Solution to Hunger Almost everyone who lives in New...

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:58:38 -0400

An Uncommon Solution to Hunger

Almost everyone who lives in New York City has experienced a traumatic trip to the grocery store. Crowds of locals and tourists alike, all pushing together, while trying to find the person holding the “end of line forms here” sign. It’s enough to make anyone have a nervous breakdown.

The folks at New York Common Pantry (formerly known as Yorkville Common Pantry) have found a way to remove some of the stress when grocery shopping for the folks who rely on the pantry for emergency food. By integrating technology into the process, NYCP is more efficient and therefore helps more of our neighbors in need. Last week we spent the day helping staff and volunteers at NYCP fulfill pantry orders, package food and serve hot meals to more than 220 individuals. This is an average day for the pantry.

Every week, Wednesday through Saturday, NYCP helps thousands of individuals and families (known as pantry members) choose diverse and nutritionally balanced groceries. After registering for the program, pantry members can order their food in advance through NYCP’s website or on-site by using wireless touch-screen tablets with the help of a volunteer. As soon as the order is submitted, volunteers begin packing each bag accordingly and by the time the member heads up to the pantry, the bags are ready to go.

The amount of food that members can order is based on family size and the items listed on the screen are only those currently in stock. By synching their inventory and ordering systems, NYCP ensures that members get food they like and nothing is wasted. Not only does this system improve the overall experience for their members, but it also allows NYCP staff to track and monitor the people coming in the door and the food going out.

In 2012, NYCP served nearly two million meals to 8,000 families and hot meals to more than 10,000 kitchen guests. Through Single Stop services, NYCP helped connect poor families to nearly $2 million in benefits beyond food.

To learn more about volunteering with NYCP, please visit their website: http://www.nycommonpantry.org/volunteer.html

After the #RHbenefit last night our pledge team stayed late at...

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:19:00 -0400

After the #RHbenefit last night our pledge team stayed late at the office to manage all the accounting. Our guests donated an outstanding $80.7 million to help their New York neighbors!! THANK YOU.

A great sight upon exit from the #RHbenefit. Thanks to all for...

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:33:43 -0400

A great sight upon exit from the #RHbenefit. Thanks to all for fighting poverty #likeaNewYorker!!

Honored to have grads from #rhfunded schools with us at the...

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:17:02 -0400

Honored to have grads from #rhfunded schools with us at the #RHbenefit!!

Tonight the Empire State Building shines green for the...

Mon, 13 May 2013 17:55:00 -0400

Tonight the Empire State Building shines green for the #RHbenefit. We are excited to have Mary J. Blige, Bono, Elton John and more. Together we can fight poverty #likeaNewYorker!!

Margaret Abigail, a baby giraffe calf, at the Bronx zoo, loves...

Sun, 12 May 2013 17:15:00 -0400

Margaret Abigail, a baby giraffe calf, at the Bronx zoo, loves her mother #likeaNewYorker. Happy Mother’s day too all the moms!

Do you window shop #likeaNewYorker? Take our #likeaNewYorker...

Fri, 10 May 2013 14:29:35 -0400

Do you window shop #likeaNewYorker? Take our #likeaNewYorker quiz!

Do you play #likeaNewYorker? Let us know how you live...

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:24:00 -0400

Do you play #likeaNewYorker? Let us know how you live #likeaNewYorker, and take our quiz: bit.ly/rhnyer.

Carmelo Anthony scores #likeaNewYorker. Take our quiz to find...

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:53 -0400

Carmelo Anthony scores #likeaNewYorker. Take our quiz to find out what you do #likeaNewYorker: http://bit.ly/rhnyer

Show your mother some love with this special “mama”...

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:00:14 -0400

Show your mother some love with this special “mama” glassbaby set, hand blown votive candle holders

10% from the sale of the “mama” set will be donated to Robin Hood!

Do you eat pizza #likeaNewYorker? bit.ly/rhnyer

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:57:38 -0400

Do you eat pizza #likeaNewYorker? bit.ly/rhnyer

700,000 New Yorkers have Diabetes—almost a third don’t...

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:48:14 -0400

700,000 New Yorkers have Diabetes—almost a third don’t know they have it.

New data from the city Department Of Health indicates that diabetes rates have risen over the past 20 years. Specifically, since 1993 diabetes has increased among adult New Yorkers by 150 percent, from 4.2 percent of adults in 1993 to 10.5 percent in 2011.

The report also finds that diabetes disproportionately affects the city’s high-poverty communities, with the highest rates among Hispanic, black and South Asian New Yorkers.

Just last week, Robin Hood’s Board of Directors approved a grant to City Health Works! a start-up organization that is working to tackle the growing presence of diabetes and obesity in New York’s low-income communities. Incubated at Columbia Business School and the Earth Institute at Columbia University during 2012, City Health Works! is an innovative program that trains community health workers to implement an intensive lifestyle intervention for at risk individuals.

Their specific program has been shown to be effective in lowering weight and reducing the incidence of diabetes in adults through numerous studies. Robin Hood is particularly excited about this grant because we believe City Health Works! has the potential to address the current lack of scalable models that effectively address these health issues. Because of this, we are confident that our recent investment will have a large impact over time on our city’s health. Learn more about this exciting program here.

Doctors Venkman, Stanz and Spengler fought ghosts...

Mon, 06 May 2013 15:23:00 -0400

Doctors Venkman, Stanz and Spengler fought ghosts #likeaNewYorker. What do you do #likeaNewYorker? http://bit.ly/rhnyer

We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to share the story...

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:30:49 -0400

We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to share the story of our co-founder Paul Tudor Jones and the Robin Hood Foundation with a national audience on last night’s broadcast of 60 Minutes.

In case you missed it visit the links below to get an in-depth look at our approach to fighting poverty in New York City:

Robin Hood on 60 Minutes

Jabali Sawicki on the Excellence Boys Charter School

Paul Tudor Jones on Venture Philanthropy

Paul Tudor Jones on Using Metrics

60 Minutes Overtime - Stories Behind the 12-12-12 Concert

On sunny days, New Yorkers can’t resist eating lunch is...

Thu, 02 May 2013 14:18:26 -0400

On sunny days, New Yorkers can’t resist eating lunch is outside. How do you eat lunch “Like a New Yorker?”

Try our #LikeaNewYorker Quiz.

What do you do #likeaNewYorker? Do you eat pizza...

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:58:00 -0400

What do you do #likeaNewYorker?

Do you eat pizza #likeaNewYorker?
Do you straphang #likeaNewYorker?
Do you go to stoop sales #likeaNewYorker?
Do you fold the Sunday Times #likeaNewYorker?
Do you “tawk” #likeaNewYorker?

Take the quiz here: http://bit.ly/rhnyer

New Yorkers are tough, relentless and watchful. Its with that...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:05:07 -0400

New Yorkers are tough, relentless and watchful. Its with that same attitude, we fight poverty #likeaNewYorker. Today our new ad campaign, paid in-full by our board, went up all over the city. What do you do #likeaNewYorker?

Last week, City Harvest hosted their 19th annual gala, An...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:10:01 -0400

Last week, City Harvest hosted their 19th annual gala, An Evening of Practical Magic, at Cipriani 42nd Street. The event pays tribute to the efforts of those who have gone above and beyond to help City Harvest feed the 1.5 million New Yorkers who experience food insecurity. At the dinner, Robin Hood received The Harry & Misook Doolittle Heart of the City Award, which recognizes important partners who have performed exceptionally this past year to help City Harvest feed the more than one million New Yorkers who face hunger each year.

Since 2010, Robin Hood has partnered with City Harvest to deliver millions of pounds of food. And, with additional support from Robin Hood, City Harvest recently moved into a 45,000 sq. ft. food rescue facility in Long Island City allowing them to provide even more food for hungry New Yorkers. With its fleet of trucks and ample facility space, City Harvest was perfectly positioned to fill an important role on the front line of disaster relief following Hurricane Sandy. Their team quickly and efficiently helped providemeals to those who were impacted by the storm, while continuing to serve our neighbors who already depended on them.

Robin Hood is incredibly grateful for City Harvest’s thoughtful and lifesaving work. We were truly honored to receive this award and to partner with such a remarkable organization.