The club was founded in July of 1948 as the New York Newspaper Reporters Association. Today, its membership includes professionals from all types of news organizations including the Web, television, radio, wire services, daily newspapers, weekly and monthly publications, as well as professionals from the fields of communications, public relations and public affairs.

Lectures, panel discussions and other NYPC meetings have covered such topics as threats to freedom of the press, investigative reporting, the role of community newspapers, foreign press coverage of the city of New York, and questions about how the press covers itself. The club also sponsors debates - open to all members and broadcast live - between mayoral, congressional and gubernatorial candidates.

The NYPC's Freedom of the Press Committee provides assistance and support to journalists faced with legal problems such as the failure to divulge confidential news sources, or, being barred from a court hearing. Additionally, the club maintains a liaison with various government agencies whose actions directly affect working journalists in such matters as the issuing of Working Press cards and NYP license plates.

Each spring, NYPC publishes Byline Magazine, a review of the year's highlights, with stories and articles by both members and non-members.

NYPC may enroll, for a nominal fee, in what is regarded as the best blood bank plan available in the metropolitan area. NYPC members may also choose to buy in to a hospitalization supplemental income plan, which is separate from medical insurance and pays an income after the third day of a hospital stay.