The Bronx just landed the biggest slice of a new $30 million state pot aimed at Latino-serving nonprofits, with about $11.3 million headed for local groups, officials announced Monday at Mercy Center in Mott Haven. Lawmakers and nonprofit leaders said the cash will fuel workforce training, education, immigrant services, food security programs and more across the borough. The money comes from the Latinos United for Change (LUCHA) Equity Fund, a coalition-driven effort that pushed Albany to carve out dedicated support for Latino-focused organizations.
Who got grants
Organizers released a provisional list of dozens of Bronx organizations tapped for awards, pending the state contracting process. Among the biggest winners were CoRe (Communities Resist), CAMBA Inc. and Forestdale Inc., each set to receive $500,000. NMIC was awarded $400,000 to launch a certified nursing assistant training program, and South Bronx United is slated to get $220,000 to expand workforce development for residents ages 16 to 24. Other grants will go to food security, immigrant-services and education groups, as reported by the Bronx Times.
How the LUCHA Fund works
The LUCHA Equity Fund emerged after coalition leaders successfully pushed for a $30 million line in the 2025–26 state budget. The program will be administered by a partnership that includes the Hispanic Federation, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and the Fund for the City of New York, according to Assemblymember Amanda Septimo’s office. Over the grant term, the fund is set to prioritize language access, civic education, workforce training and educational initiatives.
Why leaders pushed for it
Nonprofit and elected leaders cast the state dollars as a crucial backstop as federal support for local services shrinks. “This is not about resources to nonprofits,” said Frankie Miranda of the Hispanic Federation, arguing the investment is ultimately about stabilizing communities. Lawmakers said they have already locked in a second year of funding, and Sen. Luis Sepulveda said he hopes to grow the LUCHA pool to $60 million in future budgets, the Bronx Times reported.
What to expect next
For now, the awards are provisional and must make it through the state contracting process before a single dollar moves, officials said. Local nonprofits say once the money lands, investments centered on jobs, language access and civic support could help Bronx residents stay rooted in the borough by connecting them with training and basic services even as federal priorities shift.
