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BID Development Grant Program
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 or expansion 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.
Read the BID Development Grant program guidelines here
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
The deadline for applications has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023.
Appy via SurveyMonkey Apply here: smallbusinessservices.smapply.io
BID Formation Grants
BID Formation Grants are available to place-based community-based development organizations (CBDOs) that are currently working with SBS and 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 or expansion 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 or expansion proposal.
Read the BID Development Grant program guidelines here
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
- Nonprofit organizations incorporated in New York State
- Organizations compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements
How to Apply
The deadline for applications has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023.
Appy via SurveyMonkey Apply here: smallbusinessservices.smapply.io
If you do not qualify for the BID Exploration or BID Formation Grants but are interested in supporting your commercial corridors, please refer to the FY24 Merchant Organizing Grant