LIVING WITH MORE WATER, TOGETHER

Ten projects. Five boroughs. A year of community-led action against flooding in NYC.

Explore Projects Across NYC

From storms that disrupt daily life to flash floods that threaten homes and infrastructure, the impacts of heavy rainfall are becoming increasingly frequent and severe. In response, Rebuild by Design launched “Rainproof [Your Community’s Name],” an initiative supporting 10 partner projects around NYC with $10,000 each to ten community partners. This initiative aims to support ongoing or new innovative projects that adopt and implement the recommendations and guiding principles from the Rainproof NYC Working Group process. Together, we are working to adapt Rainproof NYC’s citywide recommendations to localized action to mitigate the impacts of heavy rain.

The selected projects, featured below, span the five boroughs and reflect a diverse range of approaches, from AI to artistic public outreach to hyperlocal education. The year-long initiative concludes with a public report-out session wherein our partners share their project progress and successes.

This initiative represents a critical step in translating citywide recommendations into localized action. By focusing on the specific needs of each community, “Rainproof [Your Community’s Name]” aims to create scalable solutions that build upon the broader goals of climate adaptation and water management.

  • Micro-Grants: Ten grants of $10,000 each to develop/expand community-driven solutions to manage rainfall and reduce flood risk.
  • Community Impact & Ownership of Challenge: Supporting initiatives that advance equity, innovation, and resilience in vulnerable neighborhoods through localized action.
  • Collaboration in Action: Creating partnerships between local organizations, city agencies, and experts to develop scalable, impactful solutions expanding the Rainproof NYC network.
  • Centralizing Action: Beyond direct funding, our selected projects will convene into a year-long cohort featuring at minimum quarterly check-ins to share present ideas, identify missing gaps/trainings needed, overlaps, and share progress.

"Rainproof Your Community's Name funded 10 projects that became a community, and that's the part that made the work bigger than the sum of its parts."

Zalyia Grillet, Brooklyn Level Up

THIS PROGRAM IS ROOTED IN FOUR GUIDING GOALS

1
Centralizing Rainproofing Efforts
By uniting fragmented initiatives across our City, this program builds a cohesive network of folks who care about rainproofing. Microgrants catalyze partnerships between professionals, community organizations, and local leaders — encouraging shared ownership of rainproofing initiatives.
2
Fostering Inclusive Participation
Recognizing that marginalized and underserved communities are disproportionately affected by heavy rainfall, this initiative prioritizes their active involvement. Grantees have access to tools, resources, and events that ensure equitable participation in decision-making and implementation.
3
Strengthening Policy Advocacy and Accountability
The program aligns with a broader mission to drive systemic change, advocate for equitable rainproofing policies, and hold our City accountable. Quarterly check-ins and public programming establish transparency and build public trust.
4
Sustaining Long-Term Engagement
Beyond the microgrants, Rebuild by Design maintains a dynamic calendar of events and activities to foster sustained participation. By keeping the rainproofing network visible and active, the program nurtures a culture of collaboration and shared purpose.

RAINPROOF PROJECTS ACROSS THE CITY

Increasing Rainproof Education and Community Stewardship

The HOPE Program (South Bronx) HOPE is expanding its environmental literacy curriculum to cover nature-based stormwater solutions and community resource-sharing. The program also maintains South Bronx rain gardens as hands-on workforce training sites. Explore project >>

RAINPROOF FLATBUSH | Stay ready flatbush!

Rainproof Flatbush Rainproof Flatbush is launching a local working group and planning academy to prepare residents for flooding and shape a community-informed strategy. Findings will be shared through digital and print materials distributed across the neighborhood. Explore project >>

Rain Activated

Rain Activated (BKLVLUP) Rain Activated equips East Flatbush homeowners, tenants, and small businesses with a hyper-local Rainproof Toolkit. Rain-activated public art and hands-on workshops turn flood preparedness into a shared community practice. Explore project >>

rainproof gowanus brooklyn | The Dear Neighbor Project

The Dear Neighbor Project (Van Alen Institute) Artist Tiffany Baker is transforming flood-impact stories from Gowanus neighbors into a 15-site outdoor mural campaign. Companion workshops connect the artwork to practical flood prevention education. Explore project >>

Flood Education Project

SQREJC Flood Education Project SQREJC will educate Southeast Queens on flood preparation and alternative rainwater uses while distributing rain barrels and flood sensors to impacted households. A social media campaign will drive flood-survey participation to better document local flooding. Explore project >>

Building Resilience: Enhancing Community Capacity for Flood Mitigation and Advocacy

Building Resilience (Nonprofit Staten Island) NPSI is strengthening flood resilience in underserved Staten Island neighborhoods through education, advocacy, and distribution of hydra-barriers and residential floodgates. The work bridges resource and knowledge gaps for communities facing increasing rainfall. Explore project >>

FloodChat

FloodChat FloodChat uses AI to turn scattered flood information into a conversational, multilingual resource for NYC’s 2.3 million renters. The tool makes preparedness personal, accessible, and actionable instead of overwhelming. Explore project >>

Flood Sensor Aunty

Flood Sensor Aunty Flood Sensor Aunty is a culturally competent comedic play that delivers flood preparedness to South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities. The microgrant funds seven Earth Day performances paired with chai, zines, and take-home flood resources. Explore project >>

PROJECT RESILIENCE

NHSNYC’s Rainproof NYC Integration NHSNYC will embed Rainproof NYC’s curriculum and toolkit into its programs for homebuyers, homeowners, landlords, and renters. Bilingual workshops, counseling, and resource fairs will equip low-to-moderate-income New Yorkers with rainproofing and stormwater management strategies. Explore project >>

Rainproof Calvary First Nigerian SDA Church

Rainproof Calvary First Nigerian SDA Church (CHEF) CHEF will share Rainproof NYC findings through a workshop with Calvary First Nigerian SDA Church and by training five Community Climate and Health Ambassadors. A new website and social media presence will extend the research, resources, and successes to a wider audience. Explore project >>

GET INVOLVED IN RAINPROOF NYC

JOIN THE RAINPROOF NYC NETWORK

We each have a role to play in Rainproof.

Rainproof NYC is where all stakeholders learn from each other and act collectively to tackle increasingly heavy rainfall and flash floods.The growing Rainproof NYC network brings together community groups, city officials, technical experts, policy advocates, private sector partners, educators, and more to understand and address flooding in NYC.

Ways you can get involved include:

  • Stay updated on new pilot projects, events, and funding opportunities. 
  • Collaborate with the Rainproof NYC Network. 
  • Join a Rainproof Event.
  • Learn from other cities in our Rainproof Series.
  • Participate in or Pilot Rainproof NYC Projects.
  • Share Rainproof Resources & Expertise.
CLICK FOR RAINPROOF NYC HOMEPAGE

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Thank you to all our generous funders for supporting Rainproof NYC, with a special thanks to the Wells Fargo Foundation whose support allowed us to expand the number of organizations included in this initiative.​

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