## Local Organizations
New York State has a large civic and nonprofit ecosystem spanning statewide advocacy groups, local chambers, service clubs, arts organizations, and neighborhood associations.
### Statewide and widely recognized organizations - **The New York Community Trust** — one of the state's major community foundations, supporting nonprofits across many issue areas. - **United Way of New York State** and local United Way chapters — support education, health, and financial stability programs. - **Feeding New York State** — statewide network connected to regional food banks. - **New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC)** — supports county governments and local leadership. - **New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM)** — assists cities and villages with governance and policy. - **The Business Council of New York State** — major statewide business advocacy organization. - **Empire State Development** — public economic development corporation that also works with local business and civic partners. - **Regional Chambers of Commerce** — including chambers in New York City, Buffalo Niagara, Rochester, Albany, Syracuse, Long Island, and many smaller communities. - **Rotary and Lions clubs** — active in cities, suburbs, and small towns throughout the state. - **YMCA and YWCA chapters** — provide youth, wellness, housing, and community programs.
### Community sectors with strong local presence - **Arts and culture organizations** — museums, historical societies, performing arts centers, and public libraries in nearly every county. - **Faith-based charities** — churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and interfaith networks often run food pantries, shelters, and refugee support. - **Neighborhood and tenant associations** — especially important in New York City and older upstate cities. - **Land trusts and environmental groups** — active in the Adirondacks, Catskills, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Long Island, and Great Lakes regions. - **Volunteer fire departments and rescue squads** — central community institutions in many towns and villages.
### Typical places residents look for local involvement - County nonprofit directories - Local chambers of commerce - Public library event boards - School district and PTA/PTO groups - Parks conservancies and friends groups - Community foundations and local United Way chapters
Because New York is a state rather than a single municipality, the most relevant organizations vary significantly by region.