2011 North Star Fund Community Gala

This year's Community Gala raised a total of $600,000 to fund grassroots community organizing for social justice throughout New York City. We're ecstatic that going into the event we had raised $582,000 - and that somebody at the event was so inspired by the program that he met my challenge from the podium to 'close the gap' and pledged a gift of $18,000. And thanks so much to our tremendous honorees.

Click here for a video of highlights of the Community Gala.

Click here for open remarks from Hugh Hogan, Executive Director of North Star Fund.

2011 North Star Awards

Honoring New Yorkers committed to social justice

Photo: Brian Palmer

Lawrence B. Benenson

Lawrence B. Benenson is a partner at Benenson Capital Partners, a national and international real estate company, and is an outspoken philanthropist committed to supporting civil rights, education, the environment, the arts, and the well-being of New York City.
View his introduction and acceptance speech

Photo: Brian Palmer

Vincent McGee

Vincent McGee is senior advisor at The Atlantic Philanthropies and board member of The Overbrook Foundation, The Sister Fund, and PATH. A lifelong activist for human rights and nonviolence, he has been a donor to North Star Fund since 1981.
View his introduction and acceptance speech

Photo: Brian Palmer

Arva Rice

Arva Rice is President & CEO of the New York Urban League and serves as a Commissioner for the NYC Equal Employment Practices Commission. Arva served on the North Star Fund Board of Directors from 2002 to 2009, and as board chair from 2006-2009.
View her introduction and acceptance speech

2011 Frederick Douglass Awards

Recognizing grassroots activists striving for equality, economic justice and peace.
The evening's program featured a panel discussion on how philanthropy can support grassroots activism, with representatives from each of the groups receiving a Frederick Douglass Award. Gara LaMarche, President and CEO of The Atlantic Philanthropies, moderated the discussion.
Click here to see the video.

Photo: Brian Palmer

Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment (FIERCE)

FIERCE is a membership-based organization building the leadership and power of LGBTQ youth of color in New York City through youth-led campaigns, leadership development programs, and cultural expression through arts and media.
View their introduction and acceptance speech

Photo: Brian Palmer

Make the Road NY

Make the Road New York promotes economic justice, equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers through community and electoral organizing, strategic policy advocacy, leadership development, youth and adult education, and high quality legal and support services.
View their introduction and acceptance speech

Photo: Brian Palmer

Voices of Community Activists and Leaders New York (VOCAL-NY)

VOCAL-NY builds power among low-income people who are living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, drug use and incarceration to create healthy and just communities through community organizing, leadership development, participatory research, public education and direct action.
View their introduction and acceptance speech

Events Photos

For more photos of the Community Gala, please visit our Facebook page.