Similar parades to celebrate the culture of Dominican Republic are also held every year in Haverstraw, New York, Paterson, New Jersey, Boston, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Providence, Rhode Island, and along the Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

The fund, the first of its kind in the recent history of the parade, will help pay for education that will, in turn, economically empower young Dominicans throughout the United States.

Over the past several years, the leadership of the Dominican Day Parade had been under scrutiny because the non-profit organization at its helm was not being run according to New York State law.

Under the direction of Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Mayor Bill de Blasio, along with other elected officials and community leaders, in 2015, an entirely new entity and Board of Directors were created for what is now called the Dominican Day Parade, Inc.

The new members of the board include many distinguished people from the Dominican-American community, representing a variety of industries and backgrounds.

Under the leadership of General Pedro Santana, segments of the Dominican population sought to annex the Republic back to Spain and did so during March 18, 1861.