FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2026
Contact: AskPress@EquityOffice.NYC.GOV 

 

NYC Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice Announce Expanded  2026–2027 NYC Unity Grant Program

$200,000 in grants will support community-led programs addressing inequities impacting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers across education and employment, housing and economic stability, and health and well-being

This year, NYC Unity Grant funding was increased by more than $60,0000 compared to last year

NEW YORK, NY — Today, the NYC Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs (MOLGBTQIA+) and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (MOERJ) announced the launch of the 2026–2027 NYC Unity Grant Program, with applications opening today, continuing the City’s investment in NYC community-based organizations working to address systemic inequities and disparities impacting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.

This year, the City will award ten $20,000 grants, a total investment of $200,000, a more than $60,000 increase from last year’s NYC Unity Grant Program. These grants will go to NYC-based community organizations supporting projects across three priority areas: 

• Education & Employment
• Housing & Economic Stability
• Health & Well-Being

This year’s NYC Unity Grant Program prioritizes projects serving the needs of Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary, and Intersex (TGNCNBI) New Yorkers and LGBTQIA+ People of Color, Youth and Elders, Immigrants, People with Disabilities, and other underserved and vulnerable LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.

The NYC Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs was established by Mayor Zohran Mamdani via Executive Order No. 14 of 2026. The NYC Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs serves as the City’s primary office for coordinating LGBTQIA+ initiatives across City government and advancing LGBTQIA+ equity across City government. As part of MOERJ, the Office works across City government and with community stakeholders to expand access to City services and resources, ensure that City agencies are enforcing LGBTQIA+ non-discrimination protections and providing inclusive services for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers, to advance the health, safety, and well-being of all LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.

“Every New Yorker deserves the chance to build a stable future, with the resources and support to make it possible. The NYC Unity Grant Program invests directly in community organizations that know LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers and understand what it takes to meet their needs,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “From finding a job or securing safe housing to accessing mental health care, these organizations are doing the work every day to ensure LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers can live with dignity. We’re proud to support that work and strengthen the communities that make our city what it is.”

“The NYC Unity Grant Program represents a government that is listening to communities, recognizing where disparities persist, and investing directly in the organizations developing solutions,” said Afua Atta-Mensah, Esq., Commissioner and Chief Equity Officer of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice. “LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers experience inequities that intersect with race, gender identity, income, housing, immigration status, age, and many other parts of their lives. Through these grants, we are supporting community-led approaches that address those realities and expand pathways to opportunity, stability, health, and belonging.”

“Our communities know what they need, and the NYC Unity Grant Program is about ensuring they have the resources to turn that knowledge into action,” said Taylor Brown, Esq., Inaugural Director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs. “LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers—particularly transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, intersex, Black and Brown, immigrant, low-income, young, and older New Yorkers—continue to face disparities in and barriers to employment, housing, healthcare, safety, and economic security. These grants invest in trusted community-based organizations and partners who have long been working on the ground to create meaningful and lasting change. We are proud to continue building a City where LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers can live safely, authentically, and with every opportunity to thrive.”

The NYC Unity Grant Program expands on the City’s earlier Unity Grant Initiative, investing in organizations serving transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary New Yorkers and strengthened the capacity of community-based organizations providing critical services and support. The 2026–2027 program increases investments and expands eligibility across the broader LGBTQIA+ community while continuing to prioritize TGNCNBI New Yorkers and other vulnerable sub-communities. 

To be eligible, applicants must be a nonprofit organization or have a fiscal sponsor; be based in New York City and primarily serve LGBTQIA+ New York City residents; and propose a project advancing at least one of the program’s three priority areas. Applicants must also demonstrate a commitment to equitable, culturally responsive, LGBTQIA+-affirming service delivery and the organizational capacity to successfully implement their proposed project. Priority will be given to projects serving transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and intersex New Yorkers, LGBTQIA+ people of color, and other underserved and marginalized LGBTQIA+ communities.

Organizations selected for the 2026–2027 NYC Unity Grant Program will receive $20,000 to implement approved projects. Grant payments will be tied to the completion and approval of required project deliverables, reports, and financial documentation. All grant funds must be used for approved project expenses, and funded projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. Applications for the 2026–2027 NYC Unity Grant Program are due November 16, 2026.

Information about the 2026–2027 NYC Unity Grant Program can be found at the link below. Applicants are encouraged to register and attend a virtual Applicant Information Session on November 2, 2026, which will provide additional information about the grant opportunity, eligibility requirements, application process, project expectations, and timeline. Selected grantees are expected to be notified by December 11, 2026.

Organizations can apply through the 2026–2027 NYC Unity Grant Application Form:
https://on.nyc.gov/lgbtqiaunitygrant
Applicants can register for the November 2 Applicant Information Session here:
https://on.nyc.gov/lgbtqiaunityinfosession 

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About the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs

Established by Executive Order No. 14 of 2026, the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs serves as New York City’s primary office for coordinating LGBTQIA+ initiatives across City government. The Office works with City agencies, community-based organizations, advocates, and LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers to advance equity, expand access to services and resources, strengthen anti-discrimination protections, and promote the health, safety, economic security, and well-being of LGBTQIA+ communities.
 

About the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice

The NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice is the City’s centralized equity office. MOERJ works across City government and in partnership with communities to advance equitable policies, programs, practices, and investments and address racial and intersectional disparities experienced by New Yorkers.