Sapna NYC
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBronx, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Sapna NYC firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Sapna NYC industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Sapna NYC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bronx
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Sapna NYC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free community services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Sapna NYC product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Sapna NYC
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sapna NYC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Sapna NYC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SUNY ATTAIN LabcorePartnership to provide virtual digital literacy courses covering Microsoft Word, basic Internet skills, and digital literacy. Program funded by ONA.
- Montefiore HospitalcoreHealthcare 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.
- ChhayacorePartnership to distribute $25,000 to undocumented workers in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)coreCollaboration 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 LibraryminorInitial partnership for computer classes starting in 2019, facilitated in Bengali for first-time computer users.
- SAAR NYC / Chef Surbhi SahniminorMichelin-starred catering partner for the annual Festival of Dreams gala event celebrating immigrant contributions to NYC.
- EmgagecorePartner organization spearheading the 5th Annual Muslim Day at City Hall, bringing together community-based organizations working on issues impacting the Muslim community.
- Zakat FoundationminorAttended Falgun Utsav celebration as a special guest and partner, supporting community cultural events.
- Black Muslims NowminorCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table, working on issues impacting Muslim community at Muslim Day at City Hall.
- Street Vendor ProjectminorCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table, advocating for vendor rights at Muslim Day at City Hall.
- Yemeni American Merchants AssociationminorCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table, participating in Muslim Day at City Hall advocacy efforts.
- Muslim Community NetworkminorCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table for Muslim Day at City Hall.
- MalikahminorCoalition partner in Muslim Civic Table for Muslim Day at City Hall.
- Coalition for Asian American Children & Families (CACF)coreLead organization of the 15% and Growing Campaign. Sapna participates in advocacy for budget equity for Asian Pacific American communities in NYC.
- Asian American FederationminorParticipated in legislative meetings attended by Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Grace Meng to advocate for economic empowerment for immigrant women.
- BronxNet TVminorTelevision interview platform where Sapna NYC Directors discussed mission, programs, and impact in New York City, especially in the Bronx.
- Rap4BronxminorFood donation partner supporting COVID-19 emergency food pantry operations.
- New York Common PantryminorFood donation partner supplementing grocery bags during COVID-19 relief efforts.
- Senator Nathalia FernandezminorAttended Falgun Utsav celebration as special guest, showing support for South Asian immigrant community.
- NYC Council Majority Leader Amanda FariasminorOffice representative Nicole Potes attended Falgun Utsav celebration as special guest.
- Council Member Diaz's OfficeminorPartnership with Bronx city council member's office to promote Census 2020 completion in the community.
- Surprise Show / Anish MitraminorOrganized 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
Sapna NYC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Sapna NYC social profiles
Digital presenceSapna NYC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sapna NYC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles20 records
Sapna NYC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sapna NYC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sapna NYC
What does Sapna NYC do?
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.
Is Sapna NYC a public or private company?
Sapna NYC is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sapna NYC founded?
Sapna NYC was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sapna NYC based?
Sapna NYC is headquartered in Bronx, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sapna NYC make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are government Contracts and Grants, individual and Corporate Donations and event Revenue.
Who are Sapna NYC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!), Chhaya Community Development Corporation, Make the Road New York, Adhikaar, CAAAV (Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence), Arab American Family Support Center, South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) and DRUM (Desis Rising Up & Moving). Broad incumbents are Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) and Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC).
Does Sapna NYC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sapna NYC.
What industry is Sapna NYC in?
Sapna NYC's product category is Community Health and Social Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAI, Refugee & Immigrant Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAGACAC, Community Health, Prevention & Health Education. Its NAICS code is 6241 and its SIC code is 8300.