Robin Hood: Fighting Poverty in New York

New York is one of the richest cities in the world, yet there are over 1.8 million New Yorkers living in poverty. For 25 years, Robin Hood has been fighting poverty in the Big Apple. The largest anti-poverty organization in NYC, Robin Hood focuses on finding, funding, and creating programs and schools that generate meaningful results for families in the city's poorest neighborhoods. Since its founding in 1988, the non-profit has raised more than $1.95 billion in funds, goods, and services to provide hundreds of the most effective schools, homeless shelters, job training programs, soup kitchens, and other services that underprivileged New Yorkers need to improve their lives.

To maximize impact, Robin Hood makes grant decisions much like a financial manager selects investments to maximize profit. In 2013, the organization invested $132 million in more than 200 of the most effective poverty-fighting programs in New York City. Additionally, Robin Hood's board of directors covers all administrative and fundraising costs, so 100 percent of donations goes directly to fighting poverty.