Nearly $1 million is available to our community: Why doesn’t anybody know?

More than ten years after it was conceived, a fund dedicated to the needs of Sunset Park will start giving out money. In the next several months, up to $860,000 will be made available for Sunset Park community initiatives through the Sunset Park Special Purpose Fund.

Should the dollars be spent on fixing streets? Planting trees? Creating public art? Improving our schools? Helping our most vulnerable neighbors? Supporting young people or local businesses? With so many needs in Sunset Park, how will these funds be distributed and who gets to decide?

What is the Sunset Park Special Purpose Fund?

The Sunset Park Special Purpose Fund was established in a 2015 agreement between then-Councilmember Carlos Menchaca (D-38) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the city’s official organization supporting economic development. In Sunset Park, EDC manages four waterfront industrial properties totaling more than 200 acres, about one-quarter the size of Manhattan’s Central Park.

As part of the agreement, EDC set aside five percent (5%) of the annual gross rent from the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), located on the waterfront between 29th and 39th Street, to fund the Sunset Park Special Purpose Fund. Now, after winning an EDC bid, the nonprofit Brooklyn Org is responsible for allocating these funds through a community-led, participatory process.

Where do you think money for Sunset Park should go?

Sunset Park faces many challenges and opportunities that would be deserving of these funds. As a former member of the now-defunct Sunset Park Task Force, which had been involved in early discussions about the Special Purpose Fund, I want to see the Sunset Park neighborhood engaged authentically to determine how limited public dollars are spent in the community.

And that is why it is so important to get the word out now about the Sunset Park Special Purpose Fund and the opportunities to engage in it.

How to get involved?

According to its website, Brooklyn Org is planning two community conversations to hear from residents about the strengths, issues, needs and interests of the Sunset Park community. Neighborhood residents are invited to apply for the “Sunset Park Advisory Council,” which will determine the funding focus, read applications and make grant decisions.

The application process for the Sunset Park Advisory Council will be made available on the Sunset Park Fund page on Brooklyn Org’s website. The page states that “Ideal members are long-term Sunset Park residents who are not in a position of leadership at a local nonprofit organization; can commit to all Council activities through February 2027; and are passionate and informed about their community.”

Following this engagement and research process, Brooklyn Org will release an application for the funding. Funding priorities will be determined through engagement among EDC, Councilmember Alexa Avilés’ office and these community stakeholders.

A fair, equitable and transparent process?

It is imperative that Sunset Park neighbors ask questions, attend the “Community Conversations,” apply for the Advisory Council and make your voice heard on how almost $1 million should be allocated to the needs of Sunset Park.

Don’t let these precious dollars get spent unnoticed.