48 organizations that run things on Roosevelt Island — who they are, when they meet, and which ones want your help.
The artist-run Gallery RIVAA on Main Street — rotating exhibitions, artist-led workshops and community shows. Volunteer-staffed by the artists themselves.
📍 527 Main Street
Christina Delfico's environmental-education nonprofit — "green time rather than screen time." Planted the Manhattan Healing Forest in Southpoint Park: nearly 1,500 trees of 47 native species with 400 volunteers, the first Miyawaki pocket forest in New York City. Runs the community planting at Roosevelt Island Day.
The volunteer Community Emergency Response Team — trained residents who help in a blackout, storm or evacuation. On a one-bridge island, this matters. The most direct way to be useful here.
"We study, document, and celebrate Roosevelt Island's architecture, public spaces, and human-scaled design — and help shape its future." One of the island's newest groups.
Volunteer-run food-scrap collection for community compost, with Big Reuse and RIOC. Just bring your scraps to the green bins.
🗓️ Saturdays 9am–2pm at Motorgate Plaza, year-round.
The community garden — member-tended plots at the north end, and a regular presence at the island's environmental days.
Jog-and-pick-up-litter, started by a local Girl Scout (Louise Wang) with help from RIOC and iDig2Learn. Now 120+ members, 1,200+ lbs of trash collected, 650+ volunteer hours, and two murals for the Fall for Arts Festival.
🗓️ Every Sunday 2–4pm, in front of the Chapel.
The residents' own elected body — a Common Council of building delegates that speaks for the island to RIOC and the State. Founded 1977.
🗓️ Common Council generally meets monthly at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.
The island's running group — community runs open to anyone who turns up.
Runs the island's cat sanctuary and cares for local wildlife — rescue, TNR, rehabilitation and adoption, plus education about the island's birds and animals.
Food, inclusive cultural and social programs, and accessible transportation for disabled and older residents. The island's largest Public Purpose Fund grant.
Kids' theatre and dance classes, family sing-alongs and capoeira. Its 2026 grant is installing an ADA hearing loop and funding scholarships.
Resident-run association putting on community events and the weekend and evening classes the center's weekday hours don't cover.
📍 546 Main Street
Disability-led arts and advocacy rooted at Coler, including the Food Stories program. Long-running and among the island's most-funded nonprofits.
Tango, properly — a concert series plus dance workshops and the Tango Bar. "Dance tango, play tango."
The public school's parent association — funds dance arts education for students and co-runs the Saturday market.
Seven free community concerts a year.
Keeps the island's history — a lecture series, landmark events, and the visitor kiosk by the Tram.
📍 P.O. Box 5, Island Station
New in 2026 — a nonprofit set up to run affordable year-round youth sports, starting with a co-ed soccer league.
The senior center at 546 Main — congregate lunch, exercise and dance classes, computer training, arts, case management. Hosts the free e-waste drop-off with Senator Krueger's office.
📍 546 Main Street
Independent nonprofit running youth programs and summer camp, with scholarships so cost isn't the reason a kid misses out.
Building a native pollinator garden on the island, plus a community workshop series.
Public chamber concerts and educational outreach on the island.
The island's preschool and childcare center, going back decades.
📍 4 River Road
Free Learn-to-Swim programming each summer and fall.
The Queens-based reuse and composting nonprofit behind the island's compost supply — partners with Haki and supplied the Healing Forest planting.
Free learn-to-ride lessons and mobile bike repair; brings both to island community days.
NYC Health + Hospitals' campus at the north end — a major island institution and the anchor for Open Doors and the Lighthouse Park tree program.
📍 900 Main Street
The graduate campus at the island's middle — public lectures, the Verizon Executive Education Center, and The Café, all open to residents.
📍 2 West Loop Road
Programs the Louis Kahn memorial at the south tip — talks, workshops, outdoor film and family days, mostly free.
The local troop — its Tech Hoppers team competes in the NYC FIRST Lego League, and a troop member founded the Plogging Club.
The 1888 Chapel of the Good Shepherd at the island's centre — Episcopal, Catholic and Protestant worship, plus town meetings, concerts and the flea market. The island's de facto town hall.
📍 543 Main Street
Local yoga — classes on the island and at community days.
The City community board covering Roosevelt Island. Public meetings are where land use, transit and liquor licenses get argued out.
The island's branch library: storytimes, book clubs, tech help, free meeting space, and most of the weekday programming on the events feed.
📍 524 Main Street
Bike reuse and repair education. Brings a pop-up repair station under the Helix for Roosevelt Island Day.
After-school and holiday programming for island kids and teens, run by RIOC.
Community congregation meeting on the island, with regular family and neighborhood events.
Egalitarian, progressive congregation founded in 1976 — Shabbat and festival services a few times a month, plus a Hebrew school.
The State agency that runs the island — roads, parks, the Tram, Sportspark, Public Safety and the Red Bus. Organizes Roosevelt Island Day.
📍 524 Main Street
The island's dog-owner community — meetups, advice, and free grooming at Roosevelt Island Day.
Indoor tennis under the bubble at the island's north end.
📍 281 Main Street
Local clothing swap and thrift effort — reuse instead of landfill.
Long-running local youth-services organization — sports, after-school and summer programs.
RIOC's rec center — pool, basketball, classes and open swim, plus free yoga on the front lawn for Roosevelt Island Day.
The island's State Senate office. Co-hosts the free electronics recycling drop-off at the Older Adult Center on Roosevelt Island Day.
National invertebrate-conservation nonprofit — monarchs, native bees, pollinator habitat. Tables here with its XKids activity books and pollinator guides.
Compiled from the 2026 Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Fund awards, Roosevelt Islander, and the tables at Roosevelt Island Day 2026. Missing a group, or is something out of date? Send a correction.