How to Create a Great Street

I recently spotted an event posted on Idealist called Streets as Places, described as a two-day transportation/ placemaking training course, and wondered, “What the heck is placemaking?” Intrigued, I went to the website of the nonprofit giving the training, the Project For Public Spaces, and learned that placemaking is “a place-centered approach to helping citizens [...]

Idealist Podcasts Heart NYC

The Idealist Community podcasts have been showing NYC a lot of love lately! And it’s not because 20 percent of our Idealist members live in this awesome city. Well, maybe. But it’s also because NYC is full of innovative projects that are making the world a better place on a daily basis. So much [...]

Learn-a-Palooza: Knowledge Bonanza and Community Extravaganza!

This past May in Washington, D.C., people came together in the neighborhoods of Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle to teach each other everything they know. Literally.
Learn-a-Palooza is a one-day event in which temporary classrooms are set up across D.C., and regular people share their knowledge and skills with their neighbors for free. This [...]

Making the City Green, One Garden at a Time

Ever walked by a vacant or littered lot in the city and wished the space could be put to better use? Well, with groups like Green Guerillas, that wish can be transformed into reality! A nonprofit that supports grassroots community gardens, Green Guerillas is dedicated to beautifying the city’s empty spaces. With their team’s [...]

Good in the Hood: Bushwick, Brooklyn

Each week we explore one of the city’s unique neighborhoods – highlighting events and organizations that keep our communities healthy and happy. Don’t forget to check out Idealist’s volunteer listings and groups to find more ways to get involved in your own neighborhood. If we’re writing about your area feel free to share more [...]

Good in the Hood: Jackson Heights, Queens

Each week we explore one of the city’s unique neighborhoods – highlighting events and organizations that keep our communities healthy and happy. We hope these entries inspire you to get out there and dig a little deeper in your own neighborhood. Don’t forget to check out Idealist’s volunteer listings and groups to find more ways [...]

Construyendo Puentes en Nueva York: Hacia una Mejor Gran Manzana

Este verano el equipo de Relaciones Comunitarias de Idealist.org creó un nuevo grupo de Construyendo Puentes en Nueva York, para conectarse mejor con la comunidad hispanohablante de la ciudad. La misión de Construyendo Puentes es crear una red de personas interesadas en llevar adelante cambios sociales positivos en sus comunidades. Los miembros de este grupo [...]