NYFA CEO Michael Royce Recognized with Alliant Insurance Services, Inc Leadership Excellence Award at 5th Annual New York City Imagine Awards
On Tuesday, October 28, NYFA CEO Michael Royce was recognized with the Alliant Leadership Excellence Award at the 5th annual New York City Imagine Awards.
The program shines the spotlight on NYC’s nonprofit sector, giving formal acknowledgement to some of the city’s most effective and innovative nonprofit organizations. The winner in each category won a $5,000 grant.
The Alliant Insurance Services, Inc Leadership award recognizes an exemplary nonprofit leader whose accomplishments have advanced their organization. The leader must work in and reside in any of the five NYC boroughs. According to the New York City Imagine Awards, the award is “not about traditional volunteering, directors, or funding,” but instead focuses on “innovation in driving organizational change and social impact.”
“We are thrilled that Michael Royce has been recognized with the Alliant Leadership Excellence Award. NYFA has transformed greatly thanks to Michael’s vision and leadership, growing during his tenure as CEO from a budget of $1.5m funding two programs to a current budget of $18m supporting over twenty programs. This over ten-fold growth in funding and program support now serves 1m NYFA constituents,” said Sarah Young O’Donnell, NYFA Board Chair. “Working together with his wonderful team at NYFA, Michael has positioned the organization to address the needs of today’s artist across all disciplines. Of particular note, and a testament to Michael’s drive, concern and insight, NYFA is now positioned to respond quickly to emerging situations of need through new initiatives, including launching incubators for artists and cultural workers, distributing guaranteed income, and raising over $22m in emergency funding for national disasters. This award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of Michael and his leadership as well as wider recognition of the entire team and NYFA’s relentless effort to support artists and their life’s work.”
Royce has been cited for his leadership by Crain’s NY Business (2025, 2023, 2021), PoliticsNY (2024), the Observer newspaper (2020), and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation (2018). Michael is also a board member of ArtBridge, The Brodsky Center at PAFA, and committee member of CERF+. Previously, Royce was the President of Moynihan Station Development Corporation (Moynihan Train Hall), Director of Programming for the Theatre Development Fund, Deputy Director at the New York State Council on the Arts, and Director of Marketing for the Creative Arts Team.
NYFA was a Finalist for the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation Arts & Culture Award at the 2024 New York City Imagine Awards. In addition to the Leadership and Arts & Culture categories, the program recognizes Social Impact; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (DEIA); Innovation; a Rising Star; and a Fan Favorite, which is decided by public voting.