Cathedral funds support a wide variety of distinctive events and programs in the arts, in education, and in social services, as well as preserve its architectural legacy and art collection. Individuals, corporations, and foundations may choose to provide targeted gifts to help underwrite a particular program or project. Sponsorship support can be earmarked for:

Architecture

In a city of skyscrapers, the Cathedral impresses with sheer size. Despite incomplete construction, at 130 years old, it is the largest cathedral in the world, making it a global landmark The distinctive combination of Gothic and Romanesque styles is an equal claim to fame and an important monument in New York City. Those who visit inside will that the details are just as important. “The Cathedral is the Word in stone. It is a sacred book written in massive columns and giant arches, stained glass, and sculpted marble.” The Cathedral received landmark status in 2017 as one of the precious gems in New York City history. Your gift will preserve this sacred space that brings inspiration and solace to all who enter.

Worship and Liturgy

The Cathedral Church of St John the Divine was chartered as a house of prayer for all people and has served as the one sacred space where all New Yorkers, all global citizens, have gathered to praise, celebrate, grieve, and reflect. The Cathedral is a unifying community across a myriad of traditions. Grounded in the rich traditions of the Anglican Church, worship services offer prayer and music that reflect our long history, as well as the global and inclusive nature of the Anglican Communion. Your gift will support the beauty and majesty of special holiday services, as well as signature events such as the St. Francis Day liturgy.

Cathedral Community Cares (CCC)

The Cathedral’s Sunday Soup Kitchen, weekday pantry, and clothing closet serve over 6,500 community members each month with dignity, respect, and compassion. Your gift will support our growing Sunday Soup Kitchen, expanded food pantry and clothing closet. More families, more seniors and more children will receive nutritious meals with high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables. Each meal costs $15; your gift of $60 will provide a hot meal for a family of four. A gift of $5,475 ensures someone one meal each day for a whole year.

Advancing the Community of Tomorrow (ACT)

ACT provides high-quality, child-centered learning initiatives for toddlers to teens from many faiths, cultures and economic backgrounds to learn, play, and grow through year-round educational programs. As many schools and aftercare programs closed during the pandemic, depriving children of the social and educational stimulation they need, ACT remained open as a safe, reliable, and caring resource for parents and students. During this time, we also provided increased financial aid for our families. Your gift of $650 will provide an enriching five-week summer camp experience for a student who would not have this experience without your help; your gift of $1,500 - $5,000 will help a young learner attend nursery school for a whole school year.

Great Music in a Great Space (GMGS)

Grammy-nominated music director and Carnegie Hall headliner, Maestro Kent Tritle, presents a rich and exciting showcase of New York’s finest orchestras, virtuosos, and choirs – all in the deeply sacred setting of New York’s Great Cathedral. This is an experience not to be missed! Your gift of $250 helps Maestro Tritle to attract the most talented musicians to the Cathedral; your gift of $1,000 will ensure that our expanding repertoire can continue to elevate and delight audiences from all over our great city.

Arts

As a center for intellectual light and leadership, the Cathedral has a long history of presenting art exhibitions from meditative to challenging, historical to contemporary. Consider supporting the continuation of art installations and challenging conversations with a donation today.

Textile Conservation Lab

The Textile Conservation Lab is a dynamic space of fiber art conservation and educating future experts in new care techniques. Since 1981, our Lab began as a place to preserve the Cathedral’s tapestry collection. It has expanded to conserving art from museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, private, and corporate collections. It is home to a competitive internship program, for future technicians to learn the science and art of conservation. Staff are currently conserving our 17th century tapestry set called The Acts of the Apostles, copied from the famous Raphael cartoons. Please consider making a gift to ensure our tapestries return to our walls.

Additional Information

Gifts for specific purposes within these programs are also possible. Donors who provide sponsorship support will receive prominent recognition, if desired, and a number of special benefits.

You may donate via our website or for further information about making a significant gift to sponsor a Cathedral program, please contact Taylor Johnson, Manager of Individual Giving, Development Department, at 212.316.7573 or [email protected].