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 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 2026 and June 2027. 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.

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

Applications are open now and can be accessed here via SurveyMonkey Apply.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 8, 2026.

Have questions? Email us.

The Public Realm Grant will fund nonprofit organizations 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. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process.

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, 2026, and June 30, 2027.

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

Applications are open now and can be accessed here via SurveyMonkey Apply.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 20, 2026.

Have questions? Attend an upcoming information session on Tuesday, May 5, at 3 p.m. 

Strategic Impact Grants provide nonprofit organizations access to funding for innovative, change-driven projects. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process. FY27 CDNA Strategic Impact Grants will provide up to $100,000 in dedicated project funding for a one-year grant term. Applicants must propose conducting a CDNA in the target neighborhood of Long Island City, Queens.

In City Fiscal Year 2027 the program will include:

• Grants of up to $100,000 for one year
• The completion of a Commercial District Needs Assessment
• Monthly cohort-based trainings for program managers to receive technical assistance, best practice sharing, and capacity building support

Applications are open now and can be accessed here via SurveyMonkey Apply.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on May 20, 2026.

Have questions? Email us.