Robin Hood

The path out of poverty starts early. The environments children grow up in shape their development, learning, and future opportunities. That’s why Robin Hood is committed to ensuring every child—no matter their zip code—has access to the resources and support they need to thrive. This week at #SXSWEDU, our Early Childhood team led two critical conversations on how we can better support young children and the adults who care for them: ?? Robin Hood’s Managing Director of Early Childhood, Kelly Escobar, co-hosted a dynamic meetup on “Building the Foundation: Early Childhood Professionals Unite” with Michelle Kang (National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)), bringing together educators, funders, researchers, and advocates to discuss the future of early learning. From social-emotional development to early STEM and advocacy, the conversation was a powerful exchange of ideas to strengthen the early childhood field. ?? Alongside the Overdeck Family Foundation, the Early Childhood team highlighted innovative ways to transform sidewalks, health centers, greenspaces, shelters, and even jails into learning-rich environments for young children. Featuring leaders like Leslie Bushara?(Children's Museum of Manhattan), Claudia Ferrara, MA (MathTalk PBC), Sarah Lytle?(Playful Learning Landscapes), and Jeanne McCarty (Out Teach), their session: “Reimagining Everyday Places as Early Learning Hubs,” showcased bold solutions to make high-quality early learning opportunities more accessible to all kids—wherever they are. Early childhood happens everywhere. When we invest in the people, places, and policies that support young children, we build a stronger, more equitable future for NYC. #FightPoverty

Richard Buery, CEO of Robin Hood, leads a non profit that has been reshaping lives and communities around New York for 35+ years. In our conversation, Rich talked about his Brooklyn roots, early exposure driving impact in communities and his leadership approach which is all about continuous learning, genuine connection, and an unwavering commitment to serve. I met Rich a couple of years ago when Jukay Hsu invited us to be on a panel for Pursuit Demo day. Rich spoke to the entire cohort of Pursuit fellows at the end of the event and I was inspired. Since then I’ve been wanting to learn more about Rich, his background and how he leads. Needless to say, this week’s episode of Not Another CEO Podcast was one I’ve been looking forward to for a while. Here are some of the highlights from our discussion: Monday morning email - Every Monday morning, Rich sends a carefully crafted email to all 100+ team members. He blends personal weekend reflections with a detailed overview of his upcoming week—sharing his calendar, key appointments, and spontaneous thoughts on current events. This ritual aligns the team, sparks unexpected collaborations, and clearly shows how every individual effort drives Robin Hood’s mission forward, even when he’s away. Authentic storytelling - Rich champions transparency by embracing unscripted storytelling. With the help of speech coaches, he overcame his natural introversion to deliver genuine narratives that reveal his personal challenges and triumphs. Abandoning rigid scripts, his authentic approach humanizes his leadership and builds trust with both his team and external partners, demonstrating that real connection comes from vulnerability. Fostering collaboration across his leadership team -When Rich joined Robin Hood, he noticed the absence of a true executive team dynamic. To address this, he established regular meetings where leaders not only check in briefly but also hold extended strategy sessions every other week. This approach cultivates shared accountability, collective problem-solving, and a united vision that draws on diverse perspectives, ensuring every decision reflects genuine collaboration. Engaging a diverse set of constituents - At Robin Hood, success depends on bridging gaps between donors, staff, and beneficiaries. Rich detailed how evidence-based tools—like the Design Insight Group—capture direct community feedback. This innovative process transforms raw insights into actionable strategies, ensuring that every grant, program, and strategic decision truly resonates with and serves those who need it most. There was so much more. Links to the full episode below: YouTube https://lnkd.in/ezQnGHdY Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e9RmFFza Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e8mYXGs9

At Robin Hood, we know that education is one of the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty—and when combined with technology, its impact can be transformative. This week at #SXSWEDU, the Robin Hood Learning + Tech Fund led two thought-provoking discussions on how AI and digital tools can empower students, educators, and families in under-resourced communities. ?? Our own Laina Vlasnik Yip joined Lisa Guernsey (New America), Azadeh Jamalian, Ph.D. (The GIANT Room), and Medha Tare (Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop) to explore AI’s role in literacy and computational thinking. They shared insights from an innovative project in a high-poverty district in Queens, where students aren’t just learning about AI—they’re building with it, co-designing an app alongside their teachers, researchers, and engineers. ?? Laina also moderated a panel with Nicole Reid Christopher Ed.D. (NYC Department of Education), Grace McCarty (Center for Public Research and Leadership), and Azadeh Jamalian, Ph.D. (The GIANT Room) on how schools and communities can maximize technology’s potential—not just to boost learning outcomes, but to empower families in the process. Technology alone won’t close opportunity gaps—but when we center the voices of students and educators, we unlock new possibilities for learning and economic mobility. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/erfNZKfs. #FightPoverty

NEW REPORT: Robin Hood’s annual “State of Poverty and Disadvantage in New York City”—in partnership with Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University—reveals that 1 in 4 New Yorkers now live in poverty. That’s over 2 million people, including 420,000 children. The rising cost of food, housing, and utilities is pushing more families to the brink. But we know what works. Robin Hood makes smart, strategic investments in the most effective NYC nonprofits—the ones delivering real solutions to keep New Yorkers housed, fed, and financially stable. We can turn the tide on poverty, but only if we act now. Read the full report and join us in the fight against poverty. https://lnkd.in/eKYwC_pv

A housing voucher should be a lifeline—not a dead end. For too many New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, getting a voucher like CityFHEPS should be the first step toward stability. Instead, they face impossible barriers: scarce housing, endless paperwork, and landlords unwilling to accept vouchers. That’s where Anthos|Home comes in. In just two years, this Robin Hood community partner has helped nearly 500 people move into permanent housing—by cutting through red tape, partnering with landlords, and proving that vouchers can work when the system does. On the latest episode of “This Robin Hood Moment,” hosts Kevin Frederick Thompson and Crystal Cooper sit down with Laura Lazarus, CEO and Co-Founder of Anthos|Home, to talk about how they’re tackling New York’s housing crisis head-on. Because without housing, nothing else works. Listen now. https://lnkd.in/eSzDPuvx

Strong nonprofits build a stronger NYC. Through Legal Health Checkups, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP provides pro bono legal support to help Robin Hood’s nonprofit community partners tackle challenges and focus on impact. Because when expertise meets purpose, real poverty-fighting can happen. #FightPoverty

AI has the enormous potential to empower a generation of learners and, for those learners living in poverty, to break that cycle. "For millions of students, that would be nothing short of revolutionary," says Amber Oliver, Managing Director of the Robin Hood Learning + Technology Fund. #FightPoverty

Wealth is more than money—it’s a safety net, a pathway to opportunity, and a chance for a better future. But in NYC, wealth inequality is extreme. Robin Hood—in collaboration with the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University—released a Poverty Tracker spotlight revealing that the median wealth of white New Yorkers is $320,000, compared to just $2,800 for Black New Yorkers and $0 for Latinx New Yorkers. This disparity isn’t just a statistic—it’s a barrier that perpetuates poverty and limits opportunity for millions. Closing the racial wealth gap is essential to creating a New York that truly is an engine of opportunity for all. Read the full report and learn how Robin Hood is committed to reducing debt, building assets, and closing the racial wealth gap in New York City: https://lnkd.in/eBBav4pq #FightPoverty

Robin Hood is proud to announce Kenneth G. Tropin as the new Chair of our Board of Directors. As Chairman of Graham Capital Management, L.P., and a dedicated Robin Hood board member since 2016, Ken has been a driving force behind some of our most impactful milestones, including securing $172 million in 2020 to fight poverty and $80 million for COVID relief in NYC. Ken’s passion for our mission is unwavering: “I have been a supporter of Robin Hood since its inception more than three decades ago. It has been an amazing journey, and Robin Hood has been a beacon of hope for so many New Yorkers in need. It’s an extraordinary privilege to lead the organization and position it to be even more impactful in the years ahead.” We are deeply grateful to Dina Powell McCormick for her transformative leadership and thrilled she will continue to serve on our board’s executive committee. As Ken steps into this role, we look forward to building on this strong foundation to create even greater opportunities for New Yorkers in need. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehNthSpi #FightPoverty

Robin Hood is hiring two Events Associates to help bring our mission to life through world-class fundraising events. "Our events are not just gatherings—they’re powerful platforms to engage supporters, amplify our mission, and raise the funds needed to lift families out of poverty," says Grace Dixon, Director of Events. As Stephanie A. Royal, Chief People & Culture Officer, puts it: "Joining Robin Hood means joining a team that’s committed to excellence and driven by purpose. Every role here makes an impact." If you’re a detail-oriented, motivated professional who’s eager to make a difference, we want to hear from you. Apply today: https://lnkd.in/eFPK9MQS #FightPoverty