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BID Development Grant Program

Storefronts on Grand Street in Brooklyn

The BID Development Grant Program will fund community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to explore or further the formation of a Business Improvement District (BID). The program builds on Mayor Adams' commitment to establishing a long-term investment strategy to strengthen and support small businesses in underserved commercial corridors, as outlined in Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City's Economic Recovery, released earlier this year.

Additional information on BID Formation is available here and in our Comprehensive Guide to BID Formation and Expansion.

BID Development Grant Opportunities

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BID Exploration Grants

BID Exploration Grants are available to either citywide or place-based community-based development organizations (CBDOs) that are currently working with local stakeholders interested in BID formation who have not yet completed a needs assessment survey.

  • A formal steering committee may or may not exist, and stakeholders may need more information before agreeing to formally begin the BID formation process.
  • Up to $20,000 per year per neighborhood will be awarded to grantees for initial funding of BID exploration.
  • BID Exploration grantees will work in a cohort-based model with technical assistance provided by SBS to undertake and complete a variety of BID formation pre- and early-stage planning tasks in preparation for a formal Formation effort.


Who Can Apply

Citywide or place-based CBDOs (Chambers of Commerce, local development corporations, merchants associations, and other organizations), operating within the five boroughs of New York City that are:

  • Nonprofit CBDOs operating within the five boroughs of New York City that are currently coordinating, or serving as the fiscal conduit for stakeholders interested in BID Formation
  • Organizations who will operate and utilize the grant in Designated Service Areas (see program guidelines for full list)
  • Nonprofit organizations incorporated in New York State
  • Organizations compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements

How to Apply

Applications are now closed.

BID Formation Grants

BID Formation Grants are available to place-based community-based development organizations (CBDOs) that are currently working with a formal steering committee that has completed and analyzed needs assessment survey data.

  • Applicants may be in the planning or outreach phases of the BID formation process. (Learn more here)
  • Up to $100,000 per year per neighborhood will be awarded to grantees for the staffing, planning, and implementation of a BID formation proposal.

Who Can Apply

Place-based CBDOs (Chambers of Commerce, local development corporations, merchants associations, and other organizations), operating within the five boroughs of New York City that are:

  • Nonprofit CBDOs operating within the five boroughs of New York City that are currently coordinating, or serving as the fiscal conduit for a formal BID Formation Steering Committee
  • Organizations who will operate and utilize the grant in Designated Service Areas (see program guidelines for full list)
  • Nonprofit organizations incorporated in New York State
  • Organizations compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements

How to Apply

Applications are now closed.