Strategic Impact Grants

The Merchant Organizing Grant will fund nonprofit organizations to support commercial districts and merchants associations across New York City. Applicants must propose place-based projects and services that aim to form new merchants associations or revitalize existing merchants associations in a specific neighborhood. Projects should engage merchants to develop relationships, foster partnerships, and build local capacity to steward ongoing commercial revitalization efforts beyond the term of the grant. In addition to merchant meetings and engagement, applicants are strongly encouraged to propose at least one demonstration project that will garner merchant support and demonstrate the value of joining a merchants association.

Demonstration projects may align with one or more of the following categories:

• Business Attraction
• Business Support and Retention
• Cleanliness and Beautification
• District Marketing
• Placemaking

Up to $100,000 per neighborhood will be awarded to nonprofit organizations to lead merchant organizing efforts. Grant work will be implemented between July 2025 and June 2026. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process. Priority consideration will be given to neighborhoods where SBS does not currently have any place-based investments. View a map of where SBS currently has multi-year place-based investments here. Proposed projects and services should align with the best practices outlined in SBS' Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Merchants Association.

Applications are now open and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in order to be considered for funding.

Read the Merchant Organizing Strategic Impact Grant Program Guidelines for more information.

The Public Realm Grant seeks to provide funds to eligible nonprofit organizations that intend to address commercial district needs related to improvements in the public realm.

Applicants must propose place-based projects to design, produce, and install creative streetscape improvement projects on commercial corridors. Proposals should respond to local conditions and opportunities related to lighting, public art, or wayfinding. Applicants are also encouraged to propose projects that incorporate elements related to district marketing, design innovation, or other quality-of-life improvements. Projects must be implemented on commercial corridors where there is substantial storefront business activity. Building off of the Making New York Work for Everyone Action Plan, this program recognizes that public space programming, art, and tactical transformations can play a pivotal role in enlivening neighborhoods and fostering commercial revitalization.

Up to $100,000 per neighborhood will be awarded in single-year grants to nonprofit organizations for the design, planning, and implementation of streetscape enhancement projects. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process. Grant work must be implemented between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Read the Public Realm Grant Program Application Guidelines for more information.

Applications are now open and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in order to be considered for funding.

Have questions? Attend an upcoming information session webinar on April 1 at 3 p.m.