Small BID Support Grant Program

The Small BID Support Grant Program is a targeted funding initiative by the City of New York, developed in alignment with Mayor Eric Adams’ economic recovery agenda titled "Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery." This program specifically addresses the disparities in resource allocation and service delivery between small and large Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) across the five boroughs. Out of New York City's 76 BIDs, more than half operate with annual assessments of $600,000 or less, resulting in constrained capacities for service delivery, staffing, and commercial revitalization. These smaller BIDs often manage with two or fewer full-time staff and face significant challenges when attempting to increase assessments, particularly in economically vulnerable communities. Recognizing these systemic limitations, the Small BID Support Grant Program aims to strengthen the operations and impact of these under-resourced districts. It supports both ongoing commercial corridor recovery efforts and strategic enhancements, including project planning and implementation that benefits local businesses and communities. The program’s intent is to fortify the commercial landscape equitably, ensuring that BIDs with limited financial capacity—especially those located in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods—can still deliver meaningful services and improvements. The FY26 cycle of this program offers Single District Small BID Support Grants, awarding up to $100,000 per eligible BID. These funds may be used for staffing, planning, and implementing revitalization activities within the district’s Designated Service Area for the fiscal year covering July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The funding is designed to assist with direct operations and localized projects that stimulate commercial activity, improve neighborhood conditions, or address systemic barriers to economic development in these districts. Eligible applicants must be incorporated nonprofit organizations currently providing commercial revitalization services within the geographic boundaries of eligible BIDs in New York City. These BIDs must either have annual assessments at or below $600,000 or fall below $1 million while also being located in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Applicants must be compliant with federal and state annual filing requirements, including those set forth by the New York State Charities Bureau. The application period for the FY26 cycle has closed. The program does not indicate any pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers. Future cycles are likely given the program's alignment with ongoing citywide recovery and equity objectives, although no formal recurrence has been announced. Interested organizations should monitor the New York City Department of Small Business Services for updates, guidelines, and future application opportunities.