Up to $100K in Grants Available for Creative Initiatives to Enhance Local Commercial Districts

The NYC Department of Small Business Services has launched Neighborhood Challenge, (formerly BID Challenge), a competitive grant initiative designed to encourage Business Improvement Districts and Local Development Corporations throughout the five boroughs to execute ground-breaking, innovative, and forward-thinking ideas that address challenges faced in many business corridors.

Last year, 37 BIDs across New York City submitted project proposals for the BID Challenge. Seven BIDs were awarded grants of up to $75,000 for innovative projects including storefront improvements, district marketing campaigns, and public art installations. These winning programs and initiatives are currently being implemented in business corridors across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

This year, Neighborhood Challenge will expand its competitive reach across neighborhoods throughout New York City by accepting proposals from LDCs and BIDs with larger assessment budgets. The three to four boldest ideas will receive larger grant awards, ranging up to $100,000. These projects will solve bigger district challenges, generate greater community impact, and receive increased local recognition upon implementation.

Please click here to download the Neighborhood Challenge Program Guidelines.

Neighborhood Challenge Applications must be submitted online no later than Tuesday, October 15th, at 11:59 p.m. in order to be considered for funding. Neighborhood Challenge Awardees will be announced in early November.

Please direct any question about Neighborhood Challenge to NeighborhoodChallenge@sbs.nyc.gov.

We look forward to reviewing your proposals.

Sincerely,

Robert W. Walsh
Commissioner, Department of Small Business Services