New York Business and Commerce Grants

Are you looking to create an impact in your community with a new project or offering? If yes, then apply for the 2024 Community Connections Fund. Donor Name: Naturally Lewis State: New York County: Lewis County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Community Connections Grant Fund is seeking creative proposals that strengthen ties within the community, to develop relationships, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places or services. The aim of the Community Connections Fund is to strengthen ties within the community, to develop relationships, and to spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places and services. The Community Connections Fund is seeking programs or projects that create a “good sense of place” and contribute to Lewis County placemaking efforts. Funding Information Two $30,000 Awards OR one $60,000 Award. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be a 501c3 non-profit organization, municipality or school in Lewis County, NY. Applicants must demonstrate a need for a program or project that creates a “good sense of place” and contributes to Lewis County placemaking efforts. The program or project must contribute to at least one of the following placemaking facets that contribute to “making a great place:” Access & Linkages – Access and linkages projects would look to create an accessible and well-connected public space, considering visual appeal, pedestrian safety, inclusivity, and transportation options. Comfort & Image – Comfort and Image projects would look to create or enhance a comfortable and visually appealing public space, considering first impressions, seating options, cleanliness, safety, and opportunities for engaging experiences. Uses & Activities – Uses and activities projects would look to create a vibrant and dynamic public space, considering user engagement, diversity, group interactions, variety in activities, and effective space management. Sociability – Sociability projects would look to create or enhance opportunities for in-person interaction and collaboration including creation of sociable and welcoming public space, considering friendliness, group interactions, community engagement, positive social dynamics, inclusivity, and community care. The program or project must strengthen ties within the community, develop relationships, and spur economic growth and development through the creation and enhancement of public gathering places. Program or project must demonstrate a new, creative approach to connecting the greater community; cannot fund existing projecting or operations. Applicants must demonstrate sustainability of the project or project in future years given this is a one-time grant. Funding cannot be rewarded for retroactive projects or projects that have already started. Evaluation Criteria Applicant must be a non-profit organization (501c3), municipality or school in Lewis County, NY. Project or program contributes to at least one of the following placemaking facets that contribute to “making a great place:”: Access & Linkages, Comfort & Image, Uses & Activities, and/or Sociability. Applicant clearly demonstrates a new, creative approach that will enhance the quality of life for the benefit of the greater community (cannot fund existing projecting or operations). Applicant should demonstrate a plan to engage with the community and a clear need for their project or program. Applicant demonstrates how their proposal strengthens ties within the community. Applicant demonstrates how their proposal aims to further develop community relationships by demonstrating any collaborations or partnerships that will positively impact the residents, businesses and organizations in the community. Applicant demonstrates how their proposal spurs economic growth and development with the addition of their program or project. Applicant clearly defines a timeline for completion of the program or project. Project must be completed within 1 year. Project must demonstrate feasibility and sustainability. For more information, visit Naturally Lewis.

This grant provides funding to support projects that enhance the economic viability of farmers in New York by improving operational practices, fostering innovation, and developing marketing strategies.

This program provides up to $5,000 to small business owners in New York City who have been operating for at least two years, to support projects that positively impact their local communities.

The Rockland Small Businesses Rescue Grant Program in New York offers funding to small businesses and micro-enterprises in Rockland County that have experienced revenue declines or unexpected operating cost deficits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible businesses include indoor arts, entertainment, and recreation; pet grooming, boarding, and walking; restaurants, eateries, food stands and trucks, bars, bakeries, cafes, breweries/wineries catering, delis; bookstores/stationary; housekeeping; fitness centers; florists; general retail; salons/spas; bicycle shops; and other consumer service firms. The grant covers expenses such as commercial or retail rent reimbursement (up to 3 months with no arrears), safety investments (PPE, cleaning supplies, UV disinfection equipment or services), hardware and software fees, credit card processing fees (difference of % increase), carriage fees, marketing fees (advertising and promotion), business enterprise certification fees, and operational supplies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations in Syracuse to help individuals and families secure and maintain stable housing through prevention, rapid re-housing, and outreach services.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and individual artists in Tompkins County to create professional public arts events that engage diverse communities and address local cultural needs.

This program provides $5,000 grants to small businesses and non-profits in Oyster Bay with up to 50 employees and annual revenues between $35,000 and $5 million to help them recover from pandemic-related losses.

The Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Development in New York is offering a matching grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for a duration of 3 years to not-for-profit organizations, schools, governmental agencies, businesses, and landowners for the development of tourism events and attractions, with a focus on increasing visibility and visitor numbers.

The Funds for the Newest New Yorkers seeks proposals to support innovative efforts to improve the lives of migrants who have recently arrived in New York City. Donor Name: The New York Community Trust State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The Funds for the Newest New Yorkers are a joint effort by government and philanthropy to ensure that new arrivals to New York City thrive. The Funds are part of a coordinated effort to align government, business, philanthropy, and nonprofits (including faith-based and volunteer efforts) recognizing that immigrants make city stronger. Grantees will work closely with the offices of the Mayor, the Comptroller, and the Governor to share information and coordinate efforts. The Funds will not replace government support but will enhance and fill in gaps in government programs and funding. The Funds for the Newest New Yorkers seek proposals to provide services in the three areas listed below.  Case Management  Programs to provide case management in shelters, including both the City-run Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Centers and shelters run by nonprofits, that serve significant numbers of newly-arrived migrants. Case managers will work closely with shelter staff and the City to connect to nonprofits that assist with work, school, legal services, public benefits, housing, and stability. Legal Services  Programs to increase the capacity of legal providers to support recent arrivals. In addition to their own intake points for potential clients, funded nonprofits will accept referrals from City entities, such as case managers from shelters, hotlines, and the asylum application help center. Funding for legal services will support short-term efforts to help people apply for benefits and work authorization, along with the long-term efforts required for people to fight deportation and win lawful status. Legal services nonprofits may apply individually or through a primary nonprofit representing a consortium of providers.  Community-Based Social Services  Programs to help community groups connect or provide newcomers with public education, workforce development, job opportunities, workplace protection, English classes, and other services that support their integration into city life. Community groups may apply individually or through a primary nonprofit representing a consortium of providers. Funding Information The Funds for the Newest New Yorkers expects to make grants ranging from $75,000 to $250,000 per year ($150,000 to $500,000 total) per project, for up to two years. Projects that include case management as well as legal services and/or community-based social services may be awarded the maximum of $250,000 per year for up to two years. Projects without a strong, coordinated case management component will be eligible for up to $150,000 per year for two years. Eligibility Criteria Grantees must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a 501(c)(3) funds administrator. The Funds for Newest New Yorkers will prioritize projects that: connect shelter, case management, and/or social services to increase efficiency and speed the path to stability for migrants, include partnerships between organizations with complementary expertise;  may be adopted and scaled by government for the long-term;  provide services in a manner that recognizes and respects clients’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds; and  build on organizations’ and institutions’ existing strengths, experience, and capacity. For more information, visit The New York Community Trust.

Launch LC is a competitive grant opportunity through Naturally Lewis that helps start-up businesses in Lewis County. Donor Name: Naturally Lewis State: New York County: Lewis County (NY) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The 6-month program will provide entrepreneurs with the training, funding, and the tools needed to successfully open your business. At the program’s completion, entrepreneurs will submit business plan proposals for a chance to receive funding for their project. Naturally Lewis is looking to fund creative entrepreneurs that will enhance the quality of life for residents and make our community a more attractive place to live, work, and play. Naturally Lewis is seeking start-up businesses in the following categories: Food & Beverage Small-scale Manufacturing Tourism Construction Trades Funding Information Naturally Lewis has $280,500 in funding to award, and winners will receive a grant of $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000, depending on total project costs. Eligibility Criteria Must be a for-profit microenterprise business (five or fewer employees) Be considered low-to-moderate income OR create a job to be made available to low-to-moderate income individuals Applicants must be prepared to submit 2022 & 2023 Income Tax Returns to demonstrate eligibility If creating a new job is eligibility for grant, awardee must create job first in order to receive grant Applicants must contribute at least 10% of project cost with personal funds; grant funds can only cover up to 90% of total project cost. Eligibility Checklist Start-up businesses (new or open less than six months) Must be a for-profit microenterprise (five or fewer employees) Grant funds can only be used to purchase equipment, machinery, furniture and inventory. Must enhance experiences for tourists and locals, alike Funding cannot be rewarded for retroactive projects or projects that have already started For more information, visit Naturally Lewis.

East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program As part of her Juneteenth announcement, and in response to the May 14, 2022 racially motivated mass murder of 10 persons at Tops Friendly Markets in the Jefferson Avenue Business District in East Buffalo, Governor Hochul committed to making $50 million in community investments in housing, business, and other types of relief available. The East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program is part of this investment. The $3 million program will provide grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible small businesses in a designated area of East Buffalo to help largely minority-owned establishments rebound from the social and economic impacts of the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue earlier this year. We thank Governor Hochul for the East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program - another step in the State’s long-term commitment to the East Buffalo community. East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program As part of her Juneteenth announcement, and in response to the May 14, 2022 racially motivated mass murder of 10 persons at Tops Friendly Markets in the Jefferson Avenue Business District in East Buffalo, Governor Hochul committed to making $50 million in community investments in housing, business, and other types of relief available. The East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program is part of this investment. The $3 million program will provide grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible small businesses in a designated area of East Buffalo to help largely minority-owned establishments rebound from the social and economic impacts of the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue earlier this year. We thank Governor Hochul for the East Buffalo Small Business Working Capital Grant Program - another step in the State’s long-term commitment to the East Buffalo community. None Apply for the East Buffalo Grants Qualifying small businesses must be located in East Buffalo within the target area delineated on the map below. We will begin accepting applications on March 15, 2024, on a first come first served basis. APPLY NOW None East Buffalo Grants FAQ Eligibility, requirements, andapplication process questions can be found here. LEARN MORE About the Grants Grants will be calculated based upon the business’s gross receipts: Annual gross receipts: $5,000 -$49,999: Award is $5,000 / business Annual gross receipts: $50,000 -$99,999: Award is $10,000 / business Annual gross receipts: $100,000 -$1,000,000: Award is 10% of gross receipts (maximum grant is $50,000) Qualifying businesses must be located in the area designated below. Area bounded by: Main Street (properties fronting on both sides) south to North Street; North Street (properties fronting on south side) east to Michigan Avenue; Michigan Ave (properties fronting on east side) south to I-190; I-190 east to the Norfolk-Southern RR overpass and the Buffalo River; Buffalo River east to the City of Buffalo border; and City of Buffalo border north to Main Street, (excluding the University at Buffalo South campus). Ineligible businesses, specified by ESD include the following: Home-based businesses which are primarily oriented to serve customers and clients outside of the region. Examples: retail shops and online marketplaces that sell to a statewide or national customer base are not eligible Business that received funding through ESD’s $800M Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program are not eligible. Applicants must attest that they have not received funding from this program. Business that received funding through ESD’s $200M flexible grant program for early-stage businesses are not eligible. Applicants must attest that they have not received funding from this program and do not intend to apply for funding through this program Religious organizations, lobbying organizations, and elected officials who are the owner of a small business are ineligible to receive grants under this program.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist healthcare providers and community organizations in New York State that are working to overcome healthcare access challenges in rural areas.

This opportunity invites midway operators to submit proposals for providing and managing rides, games, and concessions at the Great New York State Fair from 2025 to 2034.

The Intentional Development Group is proud to announce The Small Business Boost Grant, a program designed to empower local entrepreneurs and strengthen the City of Youngstown’s economic landscape. Donor Name: Department of Agriculture and Markets State: New York County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline: 06/24/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Small Business Boost Program, managed by The Intentional Development Group with funds provided by the City of Youngstown, will help boost the economic impact of Small Businesses within the City of Youngstown. Funds are available for projects that mitigate the impact of agriculture on climate change and enhance the on-farm adaptation and resiliency to projected climate conditions. Applications must be for ONE of the following: Track 1A: Livestock Management: Alternative Waste Management and Precision Feed Management; Track 1B: Cover and Flare Projects Track 2: Adaptation and Resiliency; Track 3A: Healthy Soils NY (Systems and BMPs that support soil health and agroforestry); Track 3B: Soil Health Systems; OR Track 4: Agricultural Forest Management. Funding Information Total Available Funding: $28,750,000 Track 1A: Livestock Management: Alternative Waste Management & Precision Feed Management: $4,500,000 State Funds Track 1B: Cover and Flare Projects $7,000,000 Federal Funds Track 2: Adaptation & Resiliency $5,000,000 State Funds Track 3A: Healthy Soils NY (Systems & BMPs that support soil health and agroforestry: $4,500,000 State Funds Track 3B: Soil Health Systems: $7,000,000 Federal Funds Track 4: Agricultural Forestry Management (carbon sequestration): $750,000 State Funds. Eligibility Requirements  Proposals for funding will be accepted from NYS Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Districts). Proposals may be for multiple projects and/or on multiple farm operations but must be for one Track only. Districts may submit more than one application, including separate applications for multiple Tracks on the same farm operation. For more information, visit Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Working with the Community Foundation of Otsego County, the group created a field of interest fund, the Advocates for Springfield Fund, to support the health and well-being of the Springfield community. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Otsego County State: New York City: Springfield Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: A local grassroots group created Advocates for Springfield to promote good land uses in its town. Since it began in the early 2000s, Advocates for Springfield has successfully encouraged the Town to adopt a comprehensive plan, a zoning ordinance, and other land use laws.  As the vision and actions of the Town’s governing bodies have aligned with the goals of the Advocates for Springfield, the group found it had worked itself out of a reason to exist. The group wanted its remaining financial resources to be put to good use for the benefit of Town residents. Funding Information Awards up to $500. The Community Foundation has allocated up to $1,500 for awards for 2024. Eligibility Criteria  Support for local nonprofit organizations that add to the fabric of the community, such as the volunteer fire department and the Library Funds to supplement summer jobs that benefit the community, especially in childhood education. Groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization are eligible but must submit evidence of the sponsorship. They do not fund: direct grants to individuals. direct grants to businesses. For more information, visit CFOC.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program funds projects that develop the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers about sustainable agriculture practices to teach, advise or assist farmers. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: An agricultural service provider is a professional who assists farmers. Projects that develop the ability of other service providers (for example, real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys) to work with farmers are also eligible. These service providers then use what they’ve learned through participation in project activities in their work with farmers. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000. Project Duration Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligibility Criteria  Professional Development Grants are open to anyone who works with service providers and farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, and for-profit business entities (such as farms, private consultants, veterinary practices and other businesses that serve the farming community). Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

This program provides financial assistance to property owners in Lewis County to renovate vacant or blighted commercial buildings, transforming them into active business spaces and boosting local economic growth.

This funding opportunity supports local artists in Fulton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties to create new public art projects that engage and involve their communities.

The ConnectALL Initiative is accepting applications for its Municipal Infrastructure Program to support the development of open-access and publicly owned and/or controlled last mile fiber broadband infrastructure to deliver reliable high-speed internet service to homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions across the state. Donor Name: ConnectALL Initiative State: New York County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The mission of the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development (“ESD”) is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State (“NYS”) through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing, and other forms of assistance. To support broadband access for communities across the state, ESD’s ConnectALL Office (“CAO”), offers a Municipal Infrastructure Program (“MIP”) Request for Applications (“RFA”).  Through this RFA, CAO intends to establish the Municipal Infrastructure Program (“MIP”) to support the development of open-access and predominantly publicly controlled last mile fiber broadband infrastructure that will directly connect homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions to reliable high-speed internet service, using funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund (“CPF”). The objective of this RFA is to improve broadband access in communities across the state facing connectivity challenges due to the lack of affordable, high-speed internet infrastructure. Funding Information Total funding available: $228 Million Grant size: $30 million max per award Eligible Uses of Funds Eligible uses for program funding include construction of new infrastructure or acquisition of existing infrastructure under the following categories:  Last mile fiber connections to address: Last mile infrastructure: The cabling, wires, necessary pole replacements and make-ready and/or radios that ISPs use to distribute the internet from local Internet Exchanges to network and/or customer endpoints.  Drops to a building: The cabling or wires necessary to make the connection from passing fiber or cable on a street pole or in-street conduit into a building structure.  Fiber connections to Internet Exchange Points or Data Centers:  Middle mile fiber: The fiber necessary to transport internet services to a local Data Center where an Applicant is connecting its CPF-funded last mile infrastructure.  Networking equipment: The routers, switches, and other equipment necessary to interconnect networks in a Data Center.  Acquisition of existing infrastructure assets and related agreements:  Acquisition: The purchase of network assets from a public or private entity for incorporation by an Applicant into a Project Area, and related legal agreements. Eligibility Criteria Public Entities: Municipalities (cities, counties, towns, villages); Tribal Nations; state and local authorities; entities established pursuant to Section 99-y of the NYS General Municipal Law; not-for-profit entities with authorization from public entities; and regional planning boards formed under the provisions of NYS General Municipal Law. Municipal Utilities: Local government entities, including those established by a municipality as nonprofit Utility Cooperatives Eligible Private Partner Applicants, fitting one or more of the following descriptions, may submit applications with letters of endorsement from an Eligible Public Applicant. Eligible Private Partner Applicants can have an ownership structure that may be in the form of public-private partnership, private or shareholder ownership, nongovernmental nonprofit, non-utility cooperative, or community trust. Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Entities providing internet services to consumers, not limited to providers of cable television or telephone services.  Managed Service Providers (MSPs): Entities operating networks and providing service to residents and businesses by using existing internet infrastructure or partnering with construction entities to build networks.  Broadband Infrastructure Builders: Entities that construct and/or deploy open-access broadband infrastructure assets.  Broadband Infrastructure Owners: Entities that own, operate, or hold last mile or middle mile fiber infrastructure. For more information, visit ConnectALL Initiative.

This funding program provides financial support for building and business improvements in downtown Jamestown, including a new grant for planning future projects, aimed at local businesses and organizations looking to revitalize the area.