Neighborhood Business Grant

Neighborhood Business Grant

Funder: Citizens Committee for New York City (CitizensNYC)

Geographic Scope: New York City (all five boroughs); specific funding partnerships may target specific neighborhoods (e.g., below 14th Street Manhattan via Trinity Church Wall Street partnership)

Award Amount: Up to $5,000 per grant; average grant size approximately $3,000-$8,333 based on historical awards

Program Description: CitizensNYC offers grants to support neighborhood small businesses, particularly those struggling to maintain operations and community presence. The program helps keep business doors open and supports local economic development and leadership.

Focus Areas:

Small business support and economic opportunity

Neighborhood business infrastructure and operations

Local business networking and leadership development

Community-based businesses

Minority-owned and women-owned businesses

Eligibility:

Neighborhood small businesses

Local business owners

Community-based enterprises

Historically underserved businesses

Businesses in low-income areas

Partnership Funding Examples:

Trinity Church Wall Street: $200,000 grant to support businesses below 14th Street in Manhattan (2022)

- Resulted in 18 neighborhood businesses receiving direct cash grants
- Examples of recipients: Albert Lam Bespoke (tailor), 47 Division Street (butcher), Bluestockings Cooperative (bookstore/community space)

Organization Background:

Founded in 1975

Over 47+ years of awarding microgrants

Awards over $1 million annually

Provides networking and leadership development opportunities

Contact Information:

Email: businessgrants@citizensnyc.org

Office Address: 461 W 126th St #5W, New York, NY 10027

Mailing Address: 30 E. 125th St., #189, New York, NY 10035

Website: citizensnyc.org

Support Services:

Access to CitizensNYC network of community leaders

Leadership development

Network building opportunities

Grantee community support