Is your organization looking to improve your commercial corridor?
Applications are now open for commercial revitalization grants from the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) to support New York City neighborhoods!
Review the following programs and apply to the one that best fits your goals and previous work in this field.
| | Merchant Organizing Grants | | |
The Merchant Organizing Grant will fund nonprofit organizations to support commercial districts and merchants associations across New York City. Applicants must propose place-based projects and services that aim to form new merchants associations or revitalize existing merchants associations in a specific neighborhood.
The Merchant Organizing Grant will fund up to $100,000 per neighborhood to nonprofit organizations to lead merchant organizing efforts. Grant work will be implemented between July 2026 and June 2027. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process.
Who can apply: Community-based organizations who wish to form new merchants associations or revitalize existing merchants associations.
Read the Merchant Organizing Grant program guidelines for more information.
| Applications close on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. |
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Business Improvement District (BID) Development Grants are available to community-based development organizations (CBDOs) that are currently working with a formal steering committee that has completed and analyzed needs assessment survey data.
- Applicants may be in any stage of the BID formation or expansion process
- Up to $100,000 per year per neighborhood will be awarded to grantees for the staffing, planning, and implementation of a BID formation or expansion proposal
Read the BID Development Grant program guidelines for more information.
| Applications close on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. |
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Small Business Improvement District (BID) Support Grants address issues of resource access and equity within the boundaries of BIDs throughout the five boroughs.
Who can apply: Place-based nonprofit organizations that are currently addressing commercial corridor recovery, management, and growth within the boundaries of an existing BID in NYC
- With an annual assessment less than or equal to $600,000
- Or with an annual assessment less than or equal to $1 million and located in a low- to moderate-income community
Funding: Up to $100,000 per district for FY27.
Read the Small BID Support Grant program guidelines for more information.
| Applications close on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. |
| Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization Grants | | |
Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization Grants fund community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to carry out programs targeting commercial districts in low- and moderate-income communities.
In City Fiscal Year 2027, the program will include:
- Grants of up to $100,000 in the first year, and up to $125,000 per year in the second and third year, for a maximum possible award of $350,000.
- Dedicated funding for a full-time program manager
- Assistance for grantees to complete a Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA)
- In-depth group trainings and capacity building support
Findings from the CDNA will help grantees to assess neighborhood needs and implement impactful, data-driven projects.
Who can apply:
- Nonprofit community-based development organizations (BIDs, local development corporations, merchant associations, and other organizations) operating in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods within the five boroughs of New York City
- Nonprofit organizations incorporated in New York State
- Organizations compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements.
Read the Avenue NYC Commercial Revitalization Program guidelines for more information.
| | Applications close on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. | | |
The Neighborhood 360° program is launching a new round of grants that will be awarded to community-based organizations that serve Forest Hills, Queens and Fort Greene & Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. Grants will be used to address unique local needs that have been identified through a series of surveys, observations, and stakeholder interviews through a Commercial District Needs Assessment in these target neighborhoods.
Grants of up to $200,000 per year will be awarded to place-based nonprofit organizations to serve the targeted commercial districts. These multi-year grants (up to 3 years) will provide dedicated funding for a full-time program manager to help the selected organizations develop, execute, and manage high-quality commercial revitalization services.
Read the Neighborhood 360° Grant program guidelines for more information.
Who can apply:
- Nonprofit organizations incorporated in New York State that serve the target neighborhoods of Forest Hills or Fort Greene & Clinton Hill
- Organizations compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements
| | Applications close on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. | | |
The Public Realm Grant will fund nonprofit organizations to address commercial district needs related to improvements in the public realm.
Applicants must propose place-based projects to design, produce, and install creative streetscape improvement projects on commercial corridors. Proposals should respond to local conditions and opportunities related to lighting, public art, or wayfinding. Applicants are also encouraged to propose projects that incorporate elements related to district marketing, design innovation, or other quality of life improvements. Projects must be implemented on commercial corridors where there is substantial storefront business activity.
Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process.
In City Fiscal Year 2027, the program will include:
- Grants of up to $100,000 per neighborhood for one year
- Grantees will be responsible for the design, planning, and implementation of public realm projects, and all necessary permitting
- Grant work must be implemented between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027
Who can apply:
- Nonprofit organizations incorporated in New York State
- Organizations compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements.
Read the Public Realm Grant program guidelines for more information.
| | Applications close on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. | | CDNA Strategic Impact Grant | | |
The CDNA Strategic Impact Grant aims to increase community-based organizations’ understanding of commercial district needs in NYC neighborhoods by conducting a Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA).
The goal of this funding opportunity is to spur the advancement and evolution of commercial revitalization and place management work in order to foster innovation, support positive systems change, and build the capacity and expand the impact of the many organizations serving and supporting New York City commercial districts.
The target neighborhood for the FY27 CDNA Strategic Impact Grant is Long Island City, Queens. Applicants must propose conducting a CDNA in this target neighborhood
In City Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), the program will include:
- Grants of up to $100,000 for one year
- The completion of a Commercial District Needs Assessment
- Monthly cohort-based trainings for program managers to receive technical assistance, best practice sharing, and capacity building support
| Applications close on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. |
| Avenue NYC Organizational Development Grant | | |
The Avenue NYC Organizational Development Grant funds nonprofit providers to collaborate closely with SBS to propose training topics, leadership programs, nonprofit management coaching, or other cohort learning opportunities that ensure CBDOs have tools to take on effective community projects in their local commercial corridors.
Every year we seek to customize our service offerings to highlight the strengths and opportunities of the local groups SBS works closely with. In addition to the categories listed in the program guidelines, we are interested in reading applications from nonprofits who provide services in the following areas:
- cybersecurity and technology
- tools for activating commercial corridors with performances and music
- digital storytelling
- merchant organizing skills
| Applications close on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. |
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