Start Small Think Big Inc
Start Small Think Big Inc is a public charity based in New York, NY. It connects small businesses with free legal, financial, and marketing support from skilled professionals, with a focus on entrepreneurs facing systemic barriers to business success. The organization says it does not provide direct funding.
Key facts about Start Small Think Big Inc
- EIN
- 27-1821066
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Total assets
- $3,931,535
- How to apply
- The organization offers an online application for its free business services. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$3.9M
-9.8% YoY
Revenue
$3.6M
-1.1% YoY
Net Investment Income
$67K
-36.6% YoY
Expenses
$4.0M
-23.3% YoY
Is Start Small Think Big Inc open to new grantees?
100%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 26 of 26 grantees (100%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to advance economic equity by providing small businesses—particularly those whose entrepreneurs face systemic barriers—with curated resources and support.
Its programs provide free legal assistance, including help with business structure, governance, contracts, leases, employment issues, intellectual property, and online business requirements. Financial services include bookkeeping setup and cleanup, financial statement analysis, projections, cost and pricing analysis, and cash-flow planning. Marketing support includes branding assessments and digital marketing strategies. The organization also assesses applicants’ needs and connects eligible entrepreneurs to its programs, workshops, and networking events.
Its published eligibility criteria include businesses that are operating and generating recurring sales, have no more than $1 million in revenue over the past year, and are at least 51% owned by people in listed groups, including women, people from communities of color, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people, justice-impacted individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals. The website also specifies household income below 750% of the 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines and household assets below $100,000, with some exclusions. It lists several ineligible business types, including nonprofits, real estate businesses, certain financial services businesses, MLM businesses, and franchisees of large corporate entities.
Grantmaking
IRS filing data reports 26 grants totaling $387,500 in 2023 and 19 grants totaling $228,500 in 2022. The 2024 filing reports zero grants. The available information does not identify grantees or grant amounts. These reported grants are distinct from the organization’s services to entrepreneurs; the organization states that it does not provide direct funding.
How to Apply
The organization offers an online application for its free business services. Eligibility and intake determine program referrals; service availability depends on volunteer capacity, and specific timelines are not guaranteed.
Ready to take the next step with Start Small Think Big Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization began serving the Bronx and later expanded to all five New York City boroughs. Its website says it serves entrepreneurs in New York and California; it states that legal services were available in those two states in 2024.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $104K (2021) to $388K (2023). In 2023 it made 26 grants totaling $388K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
68 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 68 grants of 68 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for 2024.
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,931,535 | $3,571,237 | $3,986,780 | 0 |
| 2023 | $4,359,081 | $3,609,944 | $5,196,568 | 26 grants totaling $387,500 |
| 2022 | $6,022,344 | $5,165,176 | $4,757,776 | 19 grants totaling $228,500 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,931,535 | $4,359,081 | $6,022,344 |
| Revenue | $3,571,237 | $3,609,944 | $5,165,176 |
| Expenses | $3,986,780 | $5,196,568 | $4,757,776 |
| Net Investment Income | $67,002 | $105,688 | $22,270 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Francesca Odell as Chair; Navneet Kaur as Treasurer; and Mark Kesslen as Secretary. Directors listed are Marci Brenholz, Alison McKinnel King, Steven Slutzky, Carol Villegas, Angela McCray, Chinnu Joseph, and Kristen Scheyder.
Start Small Think Big Inc is led by Josephine Panzera, CFO & Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 6 of 26 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Josephine Panzera
CFO & Executive Director
Chief Financial Officer → CFO & Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$105K (2021) → $216K (2024)
Satjeet Kaur Nayar
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$16K (2024)
Francesca Odell
Chair
Director → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ian Brown
Senior Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$90K (2023) → $125K (2024)
Alison McKinnel King
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erik Knutzen
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Kaufman
Director
Director → Chair, 2021
Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Scheyder
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steven Slutzky
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Boon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Lock Munsky
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Pastor
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chinnu Joseph
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kenetia Lee
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tammeca Rochester
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Ewart
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Johnston
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marci Brenholz
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela McCray
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Villegas
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Oquendo
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Niya Branham
Chief Operating Officer
Senior Director → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$115K (2023) → $140K (2024)
Sara Schlossberg
Chief Programs Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$92K (2023) → $162K (2024)
Shiri Wolf
Vice President Programs
Executive Director → Vice President Programs, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$117K (2023) → $133K (2024)
Mark Kesslen
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Navneet Kaur
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Carolyn Cohen (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Jonny Price (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Laura Kozien (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Valerie Malter (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Engle (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Ellie Stephens (2023) — Senior Director
- Former: Jenny DaSilva (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Marley Spooner (2023) — Senior Director
- Former: Nayer Satjeet Kaur (2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Jennifer DaSilva (2019–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Ben Adams (2022) — Director
- Former: Cintia Lima Gabilan (2021) — Director
- Former: Abigail Carlton (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Christina Chiu (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Heather Doherty Guardado (2019–2020) — Chair
- Former: Kenny Nova (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Merry Sui Yuan (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Michael Amsalem (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Shawn Kodes (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Krista Stein (2019) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $216K, to Josephine Panzera (CFO/ Executive Director (Eff. Feb 2024)). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 132 W 31St Street, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (646) 723-4053
Website: https://startsmallthinkbig.org
Frequently asked questions about Start Small Think Big Inc
How large is Start Small Think Big Inc?
Start Small Think Big Inc reported $3.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.6M.
What does Start Small Think Big Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to advance economic equity by providing small businesses—particularly those whose entrepreneurs face systemic barriers—with curated resources and support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Start Small Think Big Inc?
The organization offers an online application for its free business services. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Start Small Think Big Inc make grants?
The organization began serving the Bronx and later expanded to all five New York City boroughs. Its website says it serves entrepreneurs in New York and California; it states that legal services were available in those two states in 2024.
What is Start Small Think Big Inc's EIN?
Start Small Think Big Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-1821066. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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