Small Business Grants

The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant Program, spearheaded by Optimum Business in partnership with the LIA Foundation, supports small business development across Long Island, New York. The initiative is a collaborative effort among Optimum Business, the Long Island Association (LIA), the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (LIHCC), and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce (LIAACC). These organizations have a longstanding commitment to economic vitality on Long Island, and the grant program represents a strategic continuation of their shared mission to uplift underserved small business communities. The program, named “Lifting Our Community Businesses Across Long Island,” offers direct financial support to selected businesses. Each awarded business receives a $5,000 grant aimed at fostering growth, enhancing operations, and enabling long-term sustainability. While not limited to any one sector, the grants have been awarded to a wide variety of organizations, including healthcare providers, nonprofit foundations, day care centers, and therapy clinics, illustrating the program’s inclusiveness and broad applicability. In 2025, 40 grants were distributed to businesses in both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Examples of 2025 awardees include Bee Bright Therapy in Deer Park, which used funds to upgrade its clinic and provide subsidized services, and John Theissen Children’s Foundation in Wantagh, which organized uplifting events for children with serious illnesses. These examples highlight the emphasis on community impact and operational enhancement. The program also anticipates awarding two $25,000 grand prizes later in the summer to businesses demonstrating exceptional promise or innovation. Eligibility for the grant appears to include small, community-focused businesses across Long Island, but specific application requirements and submission processes are not detailed in the publicly available materials. The lack of a publicly available NOFO or RFP means application steps, required documentation, and evaluation criteria are not explicitly documented. However, it is evident that the funders prioritize organizations with tangible local impact, especially those supporting underserved populations. The program follows an annual cadence, as evidenced by the announcement of second-year winners in June 2025. It is reasonable to expect that the next cycle will open around June 2026, with internal monitoring best scheduled for early May 2026. The grant recipients are recognized at community events and during the annual Small Business Summit hosted by Optimum Business and the LIA Foundation. For more information, interested parties can visit the Long Island Association’s website or contact them via info@longislandassociation.org or (631) 493-3000.