CitizensNYC, founded in 1975, is one of the nation’s oldest micro-funding organizations, providing financial and capacity building support to thousands of neighborhood leaders across New York City who are making their communities more connected, resilient, and healthier.
We believe that small businesses are the backbone of our local communities. NYC businesses are more than just a place of commerce: they are often a gathering place where neighbors come to enjoy a sense of community. Small businesses preserve and sustain local culture, serving as anchors and meeting places where community members make connections, share values, strengthen culture, and support local leaders. As a small business leader, when you get involved in your local community, you both create enormous goodwill and set up your business for greater success.
We support small businesses who are “doing well by doing good” in their neighborhood by making annual grant awards of up to $5,000. These awards can provide funding to support the wide range of initiatives your business undertakes to positively impact your community in the areas of arts and culture, education and youth, environment and climate, health and wellness, economic development, and public safety.
The application is intended to be accessible. We estimate it will take 2 to 3 hours to draft a thoughtful submission. Please submit your application by Friday February 7, 2025. If you have any questions, please email businessgrants@citizensnyc.org.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for a grant:
- Business must be located in one of New York City’s five boroughs.
- Active for-profit business that has generated revenue for two years
- Business must employ no more than 10 full-time employees. They CANNOT be part of a franchise.
- Grant funds CANNOT support business overhead costs, including rent or employee salaries beyond a $250 per person stipend.