Make a Difference
Our mission is ambitious. When Geoffrey Canada founded Harlem Children’s Zone (HCZ) in 2000, he envisioned a community-responsive organization that would strengthen the foundations of neighborhoods by rooting out poverty on every front — block by block and need for need. Twenty years later, we have a generation of proof that place-based solutions to systemic inequities can turn the tide of poverty and open pathways to opportunity and mobility.
As the pioneer of a holistic approach — serving an entire neighborhood, comprehensively, at scale — HCZ has received national recognition for its unprecedented results, transforming how we fight poverty and racial inequities across the U.S. and around the world.
From early childhood, education, and career programs to community outreach and wellness initiatives, HCZ is breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty. More than 1,100 of our scholars have graduated college. Now they’re building careers, families, and promising futures for their children and their children’s children.
How to Support HCZ Right Now
Our children and families in Harlem are facing new challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working side by side with leading anchor institutions in Minneapolis, Oakland, Newark, Detroit, Chicago, and Atlanta, Harlem Children’s Zone conceived and implemented a COVID-19 Relief and Recovery plan to supercharge efforts in Harlem and launch initiatives in partner cities to address Black communities’ most critical pandemic-related needs. This effort includes a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to emergency relief and recovery, focusing on five crucial areas to help offset the pandemic’s impact on communities.
The five critical areas are:
- Emergency financial relief
- Protecting our most vulnerable
- Bridging the digital divide
- Zero learning loss
- Mitigating the mental health crisis
With your generosity, we can provide vital wrap-around services and supports for the children and families of Central Harlem.
How to Make a Donation
Make an Online Donation
Other Ways to Donate
To give by check, please mail to:
Harlem Children’s Zone
Attn: Development
35 East 125th Street
New York, NY 10035
If you send a gift via Wire Transfer please contact The Development team at HCZDevelopment@HCZ.org, so that your gift can be attributed to you.
JPMorgan Chase
Attn. Karen McGuinness
Phone: 201-994-4743
Email: Karen.a.mcguinness@jpmchase.com
Routing (ABA#) 021000021
Account Number: a/c 058063311865
Swift Code: CHASUS33
Acct Name: Harlem Children’s Zone
Please contact our Development team at hczdevelopment@hcz.org with the name of the stock and number of shares so that it can be attributed to you.
Merrill Lynch
Attn. Cristela De La Cruz
Phone: 415-274-6016
Email: cristela.de_la_cruz@ml.com
Harlem Children’s Zone Account #: 5G7-02520
DTC #: 8862 (If needed, HCZ’s tax ID is 237112974)
Leaving a gift to HCZ in your will is a powerful way to secure the work of our organization and help advance our mission to end intergenerational poverty. Legacy gifts ensure that we can support future generations of families and scholars. For more information or to make your legacy gift to HCZ, please contact the Development Office at (212) 360-3262 or hczdevelopment@hcz.org.
Contact the Development Team
Call: (212) 360-3255
Every Donation Counts
Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference in two overarching ways:
- You make a meaningful and tangible difference in individual lives and communities at large. Your donation is passed onto individuals to close learning and opportunity gaps; provide nutritious food, mental health support, and fitness classes; help bring internship and career opportunities to college students and young professionals; and many additional benefits. Need by need, block by block, your contribution builds up communities.
- You help scale the HCZ model to the people who need it most. Your donation supports our efforts to educate people across the United States and the globe about place-based solutions and how to implement them in under-served and impoverished communities.
22,500
Children and adults served annually across 97 blocks
1,106
College graduates since 2011
$3,500
Annual cost per participant, excluding Promise Academy costs
Meet Our Supporters
We couldn’t do what we do without our supporters. They are the lifeblood of our work. We are grateful to each and every one of you who’ve given a donation, big or small, throughout the decades. We wish we could honor each of you here.
A few donors share why they support HCZ.
Rosalind and Eugene Glaser
HCZ supporters since 2010
“We believe a good education is paramount to success in life. We feel that giving to HCZ was the best way to accomplish that goal.”
Rosalind and Eugene Glaser
HCZ supporters since 2010

Deshi and Neil Singh
HCZ supporters since 2013
“HCZ has identified and executed on an innovative and now proven strategy to end generational poverty. We’re passionate about supporting this life-changing work.”
Deshi and Neil Singh
HCZ supporters since 2013

Abbey Frank
HCZ supporter since 2020
“When the pandemic started, I made and sold masks. I gave all proceeds to HCZ because of its intersectional approach to uplifting people.”
Abbey Frank
HCZ supporter since 2020

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