named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Art of Friendship
Annual art gallery event showcasing artwork by participants, promoting inclusion and community appreciation of talent.
Chanukah Bash
Large-scale holiday celebration featuring menorah lighting, entertainment, dancing, and gift distribution for families.
Friends at Home
One-on-one friendship program pairing volunteers with individuals with special needs for regular visits and social engagement.
Summer Sensitivity Series
Education initiative on social media to build community understanding and reduce stigma around special needs.
Volunteer Orientation
Program to train and onboard high school-aged volunteers for service in boys’ and girls’ divisions.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Autism and Neurodiversity Family Support Services 2 activities
- Community engagement and outreach initiativesConducts community outreach to engage families of individuals with special needs, including home visits to summer campers and programs designed to maintain year-round connections.
- Support programs for parents and siblings of children with special needsOffers support groups and social events for mothers (Mother’s Circle), fathers (basketball activities), and siblings (Sibling Circle) of children with special needs to foster peer connection, respite, and community engagement.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 2 activities
- Recreational, social, and educational programming for youth and young adults with special needsProvides ongoing recreational, social, educational, and vocational programs for nearly 300 individuals with special needs and their families. Programs include after-school clubs, Sunday Socials, Zumba, karate, Torah learning through YAD, C.A.R.E 4U, and specialized activities for young adults such as Chavrusa learning and open-mic nights.
- Special events and holiday celebrations for individuals with special needsHosts large-scale holiday events and celebrations including Chanukah parties, Purim events, Yud Tes Kislev farbrengens, and birthday celebrations through Mushkie’s Gift – Birthday Club, serving hundreds of participants annually. Also includes inclusive participation in public holidays through the Public Holiday Initiative.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Fundraising through endurance and community eventsOrganizes and participates in endurance events such as the Brooklyn Half Marathon, cycling events, and ice hockey games to raise awareness and funds; annual fundraising totals ranged from $10,923.90 in 2013 to $158,561.67 in 2023.
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Jewish Worship and Study Center 1 activity
- Inclusive religious and synagogue servicesOperates The Shul at Friendship Circle, an inclusive synagogue providing religious services accessible to individuals with special needs and their families.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Volunteer appreciation and recognitionHosts annual appreciation events for volunteers, including distribution of commemorative sweaters and memory yearbooks, with participation from hundreds of volunteers such as 170 high school girls from Crown Heights.
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Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
- Volunteer training and capacity buildingProvides ongoing training sessions for volunteers, led by experienced therapists and parents, to equip them with skills to support children with special needs effectively in home visits and group programs.
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Respite Care for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Weekly home visits by trained teen volunteersOrganizes weekly one-hour visits where trained teenage volunteers engage in recreational and social activities with children with special needs, fostering friendships and providing respite for parents. The matching of volunteers to children is facilitated through a structured intake and pairing process.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.07M
Contributions & grants$866K81%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2590%
Other revenue$207K
expenses
Total expenses$988K
Program expenses81%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$204K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$2.56M
Cash$118K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.69M
Net assets$868K
Liquid reserves1.4 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -0.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOV MAJESKY | President | 40 | $43K |
board members · 2
- SHIMON SABOL — Secretary
- YESHAIA TARSHISH — Treasurer
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Bear Givers Foundation Partner — Collaborated with Friendship Circle of Brooklyn on the annual "Art of Friendship" gallery event.
- BitDonate Partner — Partner platform facilitating cryptocurrency donations for Friendship Circle of Brooklyn.
- Friendship Circle Center for Family and Friends Partner — Hosts volunteer appreciation events and serves as a gathering space for Friendship Circle of Brooklyn activities.
- Friendship Circle International Network — Part of a global network with over 80 locations providing support for children with special needs.
- Jewish Children’s Museum Partner — Non-profit organization affiliated with the Jewish Children’s Museum.
- NYCRun Partner — Collaborates to organize participation in the Brooklyn Half Marathon.
- Oholei Torah Partner — Collaborates to provide Chavrusa learning opportunities for young adult boys with special needs through the Boys' Division program.
- Regal Distribution Partner — Member of the Chai Club, indicating a partnership through recurring financial support
- Team Brooklyn Partner — Group of volunteers, siblings, parents, alumni, and community members who participate in endurance events to raise funds and awareness for Friendship Circle of Brooklyn.
- YAD Girls Partner — Program that engages alumni volunteers in supporting young adults with special needs.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Family-Centered Support Ecosystemmethodology: family-centered_supportBy creating structured support networks for both children and their families—including siblings and parents—we produce stronger emotional resilience and community integration, because holistic support reduces isolation and strengthens long-term participation.
- Peer-Mentorship Model with Mutual Benefitmethodology: peer-mentorship_with_respiteBy pairing teenage volunteers with children with special needs in one-on-one friendships, we produce social inclusion and developmental enrichment for children and personal growth for volunteers, because meaningful peer relationships foster mutual empowerment and sustained engagement.