[September 28, 2026]

UMEZ Launches Leadership Grants Program to Strengthen Upper Manhattan's Cultural Organizations

The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ) today announced the inaugural cohort of recipients of its new Leadership Grants Program, designed to provide flexible, multi-year investments in four nonprofit cultural organizations that strengthen neighborhoods across Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood. Today's announcement is the latest in a long legacy of community cultural grants, predicated on the belief that viable and vibrant cultural organizations have a direct impact on community economic vitality and development.

The Leadership Grants Program announced today awards up to $150,000 over three years to each recipient to support organizational capacity, helping cultural organizations invest in leadership, fundraising, financial management, communications, and other core functions essential to long-term sustainability.

The inaugural cohort of recipients includes:

• Belongó, supporting financial management capacity as the organization advances Casa Belongó, its permanent cultural home in East Harlem.
• The People's Theatre, supporting fundraising capacity as the organization opens its doors to Centro Cultural Inmigrante, its permanent cultural and community anchor in Inwood.
• The Harlem Chamber Players, strengthening fundraising and administrative infrastructure to support continued organizational growth.
• EMERGE125, expanding communicatios, marketing, development, and audience engagement capacity to sustain recent momentum and position the organization for long-term success.

"Strong and vital cultural organizations are essential to the economic health of our communities," said Blair Duncan, President and CEO of Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. "Leadership Grants are the latest in a long legacy of community cultural investments that recognize how lasting community impact depends not only on artistic excellence, but also on the leadership, financial management, fundraising, and organizational capacity that allow cultural institutions to thrive over time. By investing in these foundations, we are helping ensure these organizations remain vital anchors for Upper Manhattan."

Leadership Grants complement UMEZ's broader portfolio of arts and culture investments, which includes the open-call UMEZ Arts Engagement (UMAE) program, financing, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships that advance community economic development throughout Upper Manhattan. Together, these investments support nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored projects, individual artists, and long-term cultural infrastructure across Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood.

"These organizations are cultural anchors creating opportunities for residents, attracting visitors, strengthening neighborhood identity, and contributing to the economic vitality of Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood," said, Yahshaanyah Hill, Senior Vice President & Chief Program Officer of Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. "We're proud to support their continued growth and look forward to seeing how these investments will propel these organizations forward."

The Leadership Grants Program is part of UMEZ's broader Programs & Grantmaking portfolio, which invests in nonprofit organizations and partnerships that advance inclusive economic growth across Upper Manhattan.

For more information about UMEZ's Programs & Grantmaking initiatives, visit www.umez.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260928435698/en/

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