The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Fund (501c3 affiliate of MCC) runs two of the oldest and largest street fairs in New York City, the 2nd and 3rd Avenue Community Benefit Festivals held in June and September from 66th to 86th Streets. The profits from these large events are deposited into the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce's Community Benefit Fund (CBF). We are proud to announce the financial support in 2009 totaling over $149,000 in grants and raffle proceeds to over 75 non profits on Manhattan's upper east side. Grant applications are sent out to the district's non-profit agencies who then apply for funding from the CBF for programs directly affecting Community Board 8 area---from E. 59th St. to E. 96th St. from 5th Ave. to the East River.

"The purpose of these popular street fairs is to support a wide-range of community programs in Community Board District 8,” said Jeffrey Bernstein, Chamber Chairman. “Each year, event proceeds are used to support health, welfare, social and cultural projects in the area.”

To date, the Chamber has given over $2,250,000 back to the community. Every August, nonprofit organizations in the Community Board 8 district are invited to apply for MCC Community Benefit Fund monies. Applications are due at the end of October. Actual grant monies are distributed in December of each year.

An additional $10,000 is given each year to the new Eleanor Roosevelt High School on Manhattan’s Upper East Side to help establish their college prep office.

In addition, the Community Benefit Raffle Ticket Program helps nonprofit organizations to enhance their projects. Proceeds to the organizations traditionally range from $59,000-$76,000 per year in total.

We thank our continued sponsors:  CW11, Radio Disney, YellowBook, Our Town, Resident and Time Warner Cable Business Class.

Year 2009 grant recipients include:

• ASPHALT GREEN
• CARL SCHURZ PARK ASSOCIATIONS
• CARNEGIE EAST HOUSE HDFC, INC.
• CIVITAS CITIZEN INC
• NEW YORK CENTER FOR CHILDREN
• CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRININTY/MUSIC AT HOLY TRINITY
• DICAPO OPERA THEATRE CORP.
• DOE FUND 
• DOROT INC.
• EAST SIXTIES NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
• EAST 86th STREET ASSOCIATION
• ELIZABETH SETON DAY CARE AND PRE SCHOOL
• EVICTION  INTERVENTION  SERVICE
• FAITH IN ACTION
• FRIENDS OF THE UPPER EASTSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT, INC.
• THE FRIENDS OF P.S. 169, ROBERT F. KENNEDY SCHOOL
• GOD'S LOVE WE DELIVER
• GRAMERCY BRASS OF NEW YORK, INC.
• HEALTH ADVOCATES FOR OLDER PEOPLE, INC. 
• JAMES LENOX HOUSE ASSOCIATION, INC.
• JAN HUS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH   
• LENOX HILL NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE INC.
• MOUNT VERNON HOTEL MUSEUM & GARDEN
• NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION FOR SHELTER
• NEW YORK SYMPHONIC ARTS ENSEMBLE 
• NYC STREET TREE CONSORTIUM, INC.
• THE NEW YORK JUNIOR TENNIS LEAGUE, INC.
• POLICE LIAISON GROUP, INC.
• P.S. 158 PARENTS ASSOCIATION
• ROOSEVELT ISLAND DISABLED ASSOCIATION
• ROOSEVELT ISLAND YOUTH ASSOCIATION
• ROOSEVELT ISLAND SENIORS ASSOCIATION (RISA)
• SEARCH AND CARE, INC.
• SPANISH THEATER REPERTORY LTD
• STANLEY M. ISAACS NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, INC.
• THE CARTER BURDEN CENTER FOR THE AGING INC.
• THE CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY / RHINELANDER CHILDREN’S CENTER
• THE YORKVILLE COMMON PANTRY
• TURTLE BAY MUSIC SCHOOL
• YOUNG PEOPLE'S CHORUS OF NY

Click here for photos from past street fairs.