Sapna NYC

What Sapna NYC does

Sapna NYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2008 in the Bronx, New York, providing free, culturally and linguistically accessible health, education, and empowerment programs to low-income South Asian immigrant women and families. Originally established as the Westchester Square Partnership by Dr. Alison Karasz and Dr. Jean Burg following a 2007 NIH-funded needs assessment, the organization emerged from research identifying depression, isolation, and lack of culturally competent services among South Asian immigrant women in the Bronx. Sapna NYC operates from its headquarters at 2348 Waterbury Avenue and delivers services across all five boroughs of New York City, with staff trilingual in Bengali, Hindi/Urdu, and English.

The organization's program portfolio is organized into health, empowerment, and advocacy verticals. Health programs include the Mukti mental health initiative (launched 2021), APPLE and SAATHI diabetes prevention and management programs (CDC-accredited), SABHA breast health education and mammogram screenings (300+ women educated, 200+ screened annually), CHALO! early childhood health for ages 6–18 months, cervical cancer prevention with Montefiore, lead poisoning awareness with NYC DOHMH, and DYCD-funded case management. Empowerment programs include four-level ESOL classes, digital literacy courses (originally partnered with Parkchester Library in 2019, now with SUNY ATTAIN Lab for virtual delivery), citizenship preparation classes (98% first-time pass rate), Women's Circle support groups, the ASHA asset-building matched savings program, and the CLAP advocacy training curriculum. The methodology is participatory research — community members play key roles in program design, delivery, and evaluation — combined with the Social Ecological Model addressing individual, societal, and political determinants.

Sapna NYC is funded entirely through grants, foundation support, government contracts, and donations; all services are delivered free of charge with no insurance required. Revenue streams include funding from Robinhood Foundation, New York Women's Foundation, Islamic Relief USA, NY Community Trust, National CAPACD, Komen Foundation, NYC DYCD, NYS Office of New Americans, NYC DOHMH, and City Council discretionary grants, supplemented by individual donations and event revenue from the annual Festival of Dreams gala. The organization operates a community-led go-to-market model relying on trusted peer Community Health Workers, Action Groups trained in outreach, and partnerships with healthcare providers for referrals. With 11–50 employees and a Board of Directors drawn from Goldman Sachs, Everest Group, Bloomberg LP, Eversheds Sutherland, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and New York Life, Sapna NYC combines grassroots community trust with institutional governance capacity.

Name

Sapna NYC

Legal name

Sapna NYC

Website

https://sapnanyc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sapna NYC is a Bronx-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free, culturally and linguistically accessible health, education, and empowerment programs to low-income South Asian immigrant women across New York City.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health and Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Health, Prevention & Health Education (BPAGACAC), Immigrant & Refugee Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAG)

Keywords

• Community health services
• Immigrant advocacy programs
• Health education programs
• Workforce development training
• Community empowerment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Grant Funding: Sapna NYC operates primarily through grants and foundation funding from organizations such as Robinhood Foundation, New York Women's Foundation, Islamic Relief USA, NY Community Trust, National CAPACD, Komen Foundation, and others. This represents the primary funding source for programming.
2. Government Contracts and Grants: Funding from government sources including NYC Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), New York State Office of New Americans (ONA), NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and City Council discretionary grants.
3. Individual and Corporate Donations: Donations accepted via debit/credit card, PayPal, check, Venmo (@Sapna-NYC), and bank transfer (Zelle). Also receives support through corporate events like comedy shows and the annual Festival of Dreams gala.
4. Event Revenue: Annual Festival of Dreams gala generates revenue through ticket sales and sponsorships. Catered by Michelin-starred SAAR NYC, the event gathers leaders and professionals to celebrate immigrant contributions to NYC.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sapna NYC delivers free, culturally competent and linguistically accessible health, education, empowerment, and advocacy programs to low-income South Asian immigrant women and families in New York City. Services are organized into four pillars (Health, Empowerment, Advocacy, Community) and include mental health counseling, diabetes prevention and management, breast and cervical cancer education and screenings, ESOL classes, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, asset-building, civic engagement, and case management, all delivered in Bengali, Hindi, and English by trilingual Community Health Workers and case managers.

Product overview

Sapna NYC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a portfolio of community-based programs organized around health, empowerment, and advocacy for South Asian immigrant women. The health portfolio includes the Mukti mental health initiative, APPLE/SAATHI diabetes programs, SABHA breast health awareness, CHALO! child health, cervical cancer prevention, case management, and lead poisoning prevention. The empowerment portfolio includes ESOL classes, digital literacy/computer courses, citizenship classes, Women's Circle support groups, the ASHA asset-building program, CLAP advocacy training, voter registration, and workshop series. These programs are delivered through community health workers, action groups, and partnerships with healthcare providers like Montefiore, providing culturally competent and linguistically accessible services in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, and English. The organization launched a COVID-19 emergency food pantry in 2020 serving over 2,500 households.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mukti Mental Health Initiative Provides clinical and non-clinical mental health services including individual counseling in Bengali, Hindi/Urdu, and English, community education on mental health topics, and women's support circles; serves low-income South Asian immigrant women facing mental health stigma and isolation.
• APPLE (Activating People to Pursue Lifestyle change through Empowerment) Diabetes management program teaching nutrition, self-care, exercise, and weight loss through group education paired with individual goal setting and Bondhu peer support partners; for South Asian immigrant women with or at risk for diabetes.
• SAATHI (South Asians Acting Together for Health Improvement) CDC-accredited diabetes prevention program with a culturally competent curriculum tailored to South Asian diet and cultural practices; serves pre-diabetic community members.
• SABHA (South Asian Breast Health Awareness) Breast health education and screening program that addresses cultural and religious barriers to breast cancer prevention; provides one-to-one education to roughly 300 women annually and mammogram screenings to over 200 women per year in Bronx and Queens.
• CHALO! (Child Health Action to Lower Obesity) Intervention-based research study addressing feeding problems, oral health, and obesity in young South Asian children from 6 months to 18 months, combining parent education with goal-setting and follow-up phone calls.
• ASHA (Action to Improve Self-esteem and Health through Asset-building) Asset-building matched savings program attached to a course and one-on-one counseling that increases mental well-being, access to higher education, and financial independence through psychological, social, and financial asset-building components.
• English ESOL Classes Four levels of English instruction from absolute beginner to intermediate, with curriculum designed specifically for immigrant populations, weekly conversation classes, and a phone conversation program pairing volunteers with community members.
• Digital Literacy and Computer Classes Computer literacy courses teaching basics from turning on a computer to email, web browsing, and YouTube, with intermediate courses covering Microsoft Word and Excel; delivered in Bengali, in-person and virtually.
• Citizenship Classes Citizenship preparation classes covering all test questions and the naturalization process, with one-on-one review sessions and mock interviews; achieves a 98 percent first-attempt pass rate on the citizenship exam.
• Women's Circle Open support circle bringing together community women to build confidence, forge friendships, and gather strength from the group; weekly Bengali and bi-weekly Hindi/Urdu sessions.
• Case Management Program DYCD-funded case management program helping women set goals and access services over a one-year period across physical health, mental health, and empowerment dimensions.
• Cervical Cancer Prevention Program Free cervical cancer prevention education and screenings delivered in partnership with Montefiore Hospital, with Bengali and Hindi interpretation provided.
• Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Collaboration with NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to address lead poisoning awareness through culturally accessible outreach materials, workshops across Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, and a Lead Action Group.
• COVID-19 Emergency Food Pantry Emergency food distribution serving over 2,500 households with fresh groceries, distributing 200+ grocery bags weekly for 15 weeks during the pandemic.
• Census 2020 Outreach Project Community outreach initiative to promote Census 2020 completion in South Asian immigrant communities, reaching over 2,000 people with over 600 completions.
• CLAP (Community Leaders and Advocates Program) Yearlong advocacy training project involving survey, education sessions, and Women's Circle projects engaging community members in discussions about issues affecting women's wellbeing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% citizenship exam pass rate on first attempt
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SUNY ATTAIN LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide virtual digital literacy courses covering Microsoft Word, basic Internet skills, and digital literacy. Program funded by ONA.
• Montefiore HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership for cervical cancer prevention education and screenings in the East Bronx, diabetes programs (APPLE & SAATHI), and breast health services. All services are free with no insurance required.
• ChhayacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to distribute $25,000 to undocumented workers in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on lead poisoning awareness and prevention in NYC's South Asian community. Sapna created culturally accessible outreach materials, conducted workshops in Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, and formed a Lead Action Group.
• Parkchester LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitial partnership for computer classes starting in 2019, facilitated in Bengali for first-time computer users.
• SAAR NYC / Chef Surbhi SahniminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichelin-starred catering partner for the annual Festival of Dreams gala event celebrating immigrant contributions to NYC.
• EmgagecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization spearheading the 5th Annual Muslim Day at City Hall, bringing together community-based organizations working on issues impacting the Muslim community.
• Zakat FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAttended Falgun Utsav celebration as a special guest and partner, supporting community cultural events.
• Black Muslims NowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table, working on issues impacting Muslim community at Muslim Day at City Hall.
• Street Vendor ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table, advocating for vendor rights at Muslim Day at City Hall.
• Yemeni American Merchants AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table, participating in Muslim Day at City Hall advocacy efforts.
• Muslim Community NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table for Muslim Day at City Hall.
• MalikahminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table for Muslim Day at City Hall.
• Coalition for Asian American Children & Families (CACF)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLead organization of the 15% and Growing Campaign. Sapna participates in advocacy for budget equity for Asian Pacific American communities in NYC.
• Asian American FederationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipated in legislative meetings attended by Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Grace Meng to advocate for economic empowerment for immigrant women.
• BronxNet TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTelevision interview platform where Sapna NYC Directors discussed mission, programs, and impact in New York City, especially in the Bronx.
• Rap4BronxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood donation partner supporting COVID-19 emergency food pantry operations.
• New York Common PantryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood donation partner supplementing grocery bags during COVID-19 relief efforts.
• Senator Nathalia FernandezminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAttended Falgun Utsav celebration as special guest, showing support for South Asian immigrant community.
• NYC Council Majority Leader Amanda FariasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOffice representative Nicole Potes attended Falgun Utsav celebration as special guest.
• Council Member Diaz's OfficeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Bronx city council member's office to promote Census 2020 completion in the community.
• Surprise Show / Anish MitraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganized comedy show benefiting Sapna NYC, bringing together diverse group of comedians highlighting South Asian and women comics.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!): NYC-based South Asian youth and family services organization offering education, leadership, and community programs. Comparable to Sapna NYC in serving South Asian immigrant populations across NYC with culturally competent programming.
• Chhaya Community Development Corporation: NYC-based South Asian-focused CBO providing housing, immigration, and economic empowerment services. Most direct comparable to Sapna NYC given shared South Asian immigrant target population and Bronx/NYC footprint, and is an active programmatic partner of Sapna.
• Make the Road New York: NYC-based immigrant-serving organization providing legal, education, and community organizing services. Comparable to Sapna NYC in immigrant empowerment model and coalition-based advocacy, with broader pan-immigrant scope.
• Adhikaar: NYC-based Nepali/Tibetan immigrant rights organization providing health, legal, and educational services. Closely comparable to Sapna NYC in serving a specific South Asian immigrant population through community-led health and empowerment programs.
• CAAAV (Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence): NYC-based Asian American CBO organizing low-income immigrants and tenants. Comparable to Sapna NYC in community-led immigrant services model and coalition advocacy work, with shared staffing backgrounds.
• Arab American Family Support Center: NYC-based multilingual CBO serving Arab immigrant communities with similar service portfolio (health education, ESOL, youth, case management). Strong structural parallel to Sapna NYC's model targeting a specific immigrant community.
• South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS): Queens-based CBO serving South Asian immigrant communities with health, education, and social services. Directly comparable to Sapna NYC in mission, target population, and core service offerings, operating in overlapping NYC geographies.
• DRUM (Desis Rising Up & Moving): South Asian immigrant organizing and advocacy group serving low-wage workers and families in NYC. Comparable to Sapna NYC in serving South Asian immigrant communities through community-led models, with several overlapping staff histories.

Broad incumbents

• Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE): Large pan-Asian NYC nonprofit providing housing, economic development, and immigrant services. Broader scope than Sapna NYC but serves overlapping immigrant populations with comparable community-based service delivery.
• Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC): One of the largest Asian American social services organizations in NYC, serving immigrants with comprehensive education, family, and workforce services. Comparable in broad service delivery to immigrant communities but at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Sapna_NYC
• Instagraminstagram.com/sapnanyc
• Facebookfacebook.com/SapnaNYC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sapna-nyc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sapna NYC