A New York Mission, Close to Home
The Goldburg Family Foundation was created in 2017 with a simple premise. Show up where it matters most. In New York City. The Foundation focuses on two essential levers of mobility. Food security and education. The approach is clear and local. A community pantry in East Flatbush puts groceries in the hands of families today. Scholarships open doors for underserved students across the city. The aim is to meet immediate needs and build long term opportunities at the same time.
Robert Goldburg’s New York Standard
Founder and President Robert Goldburg grew up in New York City and shaped the Foundation around the city he loves. As a junior in college, he tried to volunteer with a large nonprofit and was turned away. That moment sparked a conviction. A great organization must always make room for people who want to help. He built GFF to be accessible, transparent, and fast to act. By day, Robert works in investment banking and leads a family office. That business discipline shows in GFF’s operating style. Clear goals. Clean reporting. Real outcomes. His message to donors is direct. Every dollar goes to groceries for families or tuition for students. No guesswork. No detours.
The Problem, Now and Urgent
Food insecurity and unequal access to education are not abstract issues. They are daily hurdles for many New Yorkers. Pantry visits have surged in recent years, and the cost of living continues to climb. When a family cannot count on its next meal, everything else becomes harder. When a talented student cannot afford the next semester, potential stalls. GFF addresses both pressures. The pantry delivers nutritious food to neighbors in need. The scholarship program removes financial barriers for students, including those in Rising Ground programs, who are ready to advance but lack the resources to do so.
A Simple Theory of Change
The Foundation’s theory of change is concise and measurable. Feed one million New Yorkers over the next ten years. Provide up to one hundred college scholarships over that same period. Early results show momentum. In the first year of the pantry’s operation, the team will have distributed more than five thousand bags of groceries and served approximately fifteen thousand people by year end. More than fifty thousand dollars has been raised for the pantry. One hundred thousand dollars has been raised for scholarships. Seventeen students have already received awards. Goldburg Scholars have a graduation rate of one hundred percent from their four year colleges. The model works because it is focused and close to the ground.
Programs That Meet People Where They Are
The East Flatbush pantry serves low income families and any neighbor who walks through the door. Families share what they most need, and the pantry adjusts its inventory accordingly. The scholarship program supports underserved students across New York City, with Rising Ground helping identify candidates who will benefit most. The Foundation treats feedback as a core input. Students describe the specific barriers they face. The program responds with criteria and support that are practical, not theoretical.
Partners and a Culture of Accountability
GFF’s partner network is chosen for impact. Rising Ground connects deserving students to scholarship opportunities. Launchpad collaborates on fundraising and engagement to keep support strong throughout the year. The Foundation is also reshaping how charitable events are experienced. Led in part by Robert’s brother, Jack, who runs Jack’s Dining Room, GFF designs gatherings that people want to attend. These events are more than social. They are engines for real outcomes. As Jack notes, when events are compelling, participation rises, and that energy becomes groceries and tuition. Donors know exactly where funds go. One hundred percent flows to programs.
Leadership with a Builder’s Mindset
Robert Goldburg holds an MBA in Finance from NYU Stern and a degree from George Washington University. He brings a builder’s mindset to the Foundation. Set a clear target. Fund it. Execute. Measure. Improve. This cadence has shaped the Foundation’s growth plans. A new website will provide real time updates on the pantry, scholarship outcomes, and donor impact. A new board of directors will strengthen governance and extend the organization’s reach. Seasonal campaigns, including a Halloween fundraiser and a thirty thousand dollar match, create urgency and community involvement.
A Call to New Yorkers
The Goldburg Family Foundation is not trying to reinvent charity for its own sake. It is redefining what it means to give in a city that rewards results. The work is local. The dollars are direct. The outcomes are visible. Robert puts it plainly. Join a movement where every person and every dollar counts. For New Yorkers who want to see immediate, concrete impact in their own backyard, GFF offers a reliable path. Feed a neighbor today. Help a student cross the finish line tomorrow. That is how a family’s love for New York becomes a better New York for everyone.Follow their Journey on Instagram and at Goldburgfamilyfoundation.com
Written in partnership with Tom White
