What Community Mayor does

Community Mayors, Inc. (DBA Community Mayors for Children with Special Needs) is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, that has provided recreational therapy and special-event programming for children with mental and physical disabilities since being reincorporated under its current mission in 1956 (with roots going back to 1875). Its core products are an event portfolio rather than technology assets: Operation Santa Claus, an annual holiday gathering at a JFK International Airport hangar hosted in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Macy's, and Delta Airlines that entertains 4,000+ children per year; the Dominick Della Rocca Summer Camp Scholarship Fund, which provides up to $2,000 per child for sleep-away camp; the Annual Charity Gala, the organization's principal fundraiser; and a year-round Special Events Program (Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Luna Park, Deno's Wonder Wheel, Intrepid Museum, Ringling Bros. circus, etc.) serving children from all five boroughs of NYC and the tri-state area.

Beneficiaries are reached through a partnership with NYC District 75 special-education schools and through direct family outreach, with delivery executed by roughly 100 volunteer "Mayors" and Associate Mayors plus thousands of uniformed-service volunteers from the NYPD, FDNY, Port Authority Police, NYC Sanitation, U.S. Secret Service, and FBI. The organization has no paid staff and no proprietary technology; its core operational "technology" is the volunteer coordination and venue-sponsorship infrastructure.

The business model is donation- and sponsorship-driven rather than transactional. Revenue streams consist of individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Annual Charity Gala tiers: Platinum $10,000, Gold $6,000, Silver $4,000, Table of Ten $3,000; individual tickets $325), journal advertising (Back Cover $1,500 down to Half Page $150), and the Dominick Della Rocca Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. Management states that over 95% of received donations go directly into events and helping the children. The organization is led by Chief Mayor & CEO Shelley Della Rocca (daughter of founder Dominick Della Rocca) since 1998, supported by a Chairman of the Board, four officers, and a 6–15-member Board of Directors. It holds 501(c)(3) status, Candid Gold Transparency 2024, and a Charity Navigator seal, and it operates mailing addresses in Brooklyn, NY and Naples, FL.

Name

Community Mayor

Legal name

Community Mayors, Inc.

Website

https://communitymayors.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1875

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Mayors is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides recreational therapy, summer camp scholarships, and special events for children with mental and physical disabilities in the NYC/tri-state area, funded almost entirely by donations and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Disability Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC), Civic & Municipal Festivals (City Days, Public Celebrations) (MPAGAEAA)

Keywords

• Special needs services
• Nonprofit charitable programs
• Recreational therapy events
• Disability community services
• Summer camp scholarships

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: The organization is funded almost exclusively by donations from its membership and in-kind contributions from corporate sponsors. Over 95% of received donations go directly into events and helping the children.
2. Annual Charity Gala: The Annual Charity Gala is the organization's major source of fundraising. Revenue generated through table sponsorships, journal advertisements, and individual ticket sales.
3. Gala Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at various tiers (Platinum $10,000, Gold $6,000, Silver $4,000, Table of Ten $3,000) providing admission, recognition in journal and at events, and banners.
4. Journal Advertisements: Sales of advertisement pages in the Annual Charity Gala journal (Back Cover $1,500, Full Page $300-$1,000, Half Page $150).
5. Summer Camp Scholarships: The Dominick Della Rocca Summer Camp Scholarship provides up to $2,000 per child for special needs children to attend sleep-away camp. Funded through donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Community Mayors is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides recreational therapy and special events for children with mental and physical disabilities in the New York City and tri-state area. The organization delivers a portfolio of programs including the annual Operation Santa Claus holiday event at JFK Airport, the Dominick Della Rocca Summer Camp Scholarship Fund (up to $2,000 per child for sleep-away camp), zoo/aquarium/amusement park outings, and an Annual Charity Gala that funds the operations.

Product overview

Community Mayors for Children with Special Needs operates as an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs centered around recreational therapy for children with mental and physical disabilities. The core offerings include Operation Santa Claus (annual holiday event at JFK Airport), the Dominick Della Rocca Summer Camp Scholarship Fund (grants for sleep-away camp attendance), the Annual Charity Gala (major fundraising event), and a diverse Special Events Program featuring zoo visits, amusement park outings, circus performances, and museum tours. These programs work together to provide opportunities for challenged children to experience activities designed to accommodate their needs, stimulate their interests, and lift their spirits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50,000 children with disabilities served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Macy'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMacy's provides Santa Claus for the annual Operation Santa Claus event at JFK Airport. Santa arrives on Delta Airlines plane and interacts with over 4,000 special needs children.
• Delta AirlinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta Airlines provides an airplane for Macy's Santa Claus arrival at Operation Santa Claus. The plane is used as a stage/venue for the holiday event at JFK Airport hangar.
• Port Authority of New York and New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort Authority provides the JFK Airport hangar for Operation Santa Claus events hosting 4,000+ children. Also provides Port Authority Police volunteers and facilities.
• Deno's Wonder WheelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDeno's Wonder Wheel at Coney Island donates their facility for special needs children to enjoy rides and games. Owned by Dennis and Steve Vourderis.
• Luna Park Coney IslandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLuna Park at Coney Island provides rides, clowns, and games for special needs children at events.
• Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum ComplexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Intrepid Museum provides venue for special events where children experience living history on the famous aircraft carrier.
• New York City Police Department (NYPD)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNYPD provides significant volunteer personnel for events including officers, detectives, and K-9 units. Officers participate as volunteers at events.
• New York City Fire Department (FDNY)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFDNY provides volunteer firefighters and officers for events. Includes uniformed fire officers and support.
• United States Secret ServicecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSecret Service provides volunteer personnel and support for Community Mayors events.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFBI provides volunteer personnel for Community Mayors events.
• NYC Department of SanitationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNYC Sanitation provides volunteers and support for events.
• Wildlife Conservation SocietyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWildlife Conservation Society (Bronx Zoo) partners with Community Mayors to host special needs children at the Bronx Zoo.
• Adventurer's Family Entertainment CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdventurer's Family Entertainment Center hosts special events for children with games, rides, and entertainment clowns.
• St. John's University AthleticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSt. John's University Athletics hosts Athletes and Kids events where special needs children learn about team sports with scholar-athletes.
• Poly Prep Country Day SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudents from Poly Prep assist special needs children with Earth Day activities including weeding and planting shrubs and trees.
• The Conference HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Conference House is listed as a sponsor venue partner.
• John F. Kennedy International AirportcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJFK International Airport provides facilities for Operation Santa Claus events. Santa Claus arrives via Delta Airlines plane to the airport hangar.
• New York City District 75 SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYC District 75 (special education) schools are the primary source of children served. District 75 students are eligible for sleep-away summer camp scholarships and event participation.
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey CircusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden hosts special needs children for The Greatest Show on Earth with toys distributed to each child.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• YAI (Young Adult Institute): NYC-based nonprofit providing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Direct peer because both are NYC-headquartered organizations serving children/young adults with disabilities through programs and community events.
• Lighthouse Guild: New York-based nonprofit providing services for people who are blind or visually impaired, often with additional disabilities. Comparable NYC location and mission of serving individuals with disabilities through community programs and events.
• AHRC NYC: New York City-based nonprofit supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable as a NYC-area organization serving the same special needs population through community programs, recreational activities, and events.
• INCLUDEnyc: NYC nonprofit dedicated to supporting young people with disabilities and their families. Direct peer in serving the same NYC special needs children population, particularly connected through District 75 and similar public school channels.
• Variety - The Children's Charity of New York: NYC-based 501(c)(3) serving children with disabilities through recreational, educational, and mobility programs. Direct peer in mission, NYC location, and event-based service delivery model for special needs children.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving people with disabilities through recreational, educational, and therapeutic programs. Comparable because both organizations provide event-based recreational services and scholarships for individuals with special needs, though Easterseals operates at much greater national scale.
• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP): National nonprofit serving people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Comparable in serving children with physical and developmental disabilities, though operating at national scale with affiliate offices rather than NYC-concentrated events.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation: National nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Comparable model of creating memorable experiential events for children with special needs/medical conditions, though Make-A-Wish focuses on individual wish-granting rather than group recreational events.

Others

• Ronald McDonald House Charities: National nonprofit supporting families with sick children. Comparable as a major 501(c)(3) relying on corporate partnerships (McDonald's), individual donations, and signature fundraising events; serves children but in a different medical context.

Emerging players

• Special Olympics New York: NY chapter of Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a NY-based nonprofit offering recreational programs tailored for individuals with disabilities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-mayors

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Community Mayor