RFP 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the application and how do I access the portal?
A: Visit our website www.nysmallbusinessfunders.org and click on the “Apply Now” button; that will direct you to the Survey Monkey Apply application portal. All applications are due by Friday, December 11, 2026.
Q: What if I have questions?
A: You can send an email directly to inquiries@nysmallbusinessfunders.org or send us a message via the contact form on our website. Should you wish to contact Survey Monkey Apply directly, there is a link to contact support in the top toolbar (look for the “i” button).
Q: Can small businesses apply for these funds?
A: No. This grant opportunity funds intermediaries and nonprofits that support small businesses. As the Collective’s capacity grows over time, we will employ different tactics and approaches.
Q: Does the lead applicant have to be based in NYC or only be providing services in NYC?
A: Applicants can be located within and/or primarily serving residents of Bronx, Kings, Richmond, New York, Queens counties. If your organization is not headquartered in NYC, please clearly state your service area(s) in the application, and detail local connections via partnerships, etc.
Q: Can CDFIs apply?
A: Yes. Eligible parties include for-profit, non-profit, academic, government, or entities without a formal structure. Note: The lead applicant MUST be a 501c3 organization. Please see the grant guidelines for deeper detail in the “who’s eligible” section.
Q: How big are the grants? Is there multi-year funding available?
A: Each partnership grant is expected to be in the range of $100,000-$150,000 annually, with the intention of building a multi-year relationship with this cohort. Our first two cohorts had five grantee partnerships each; we anticipate a similar number of awards for Cohort Three.
Q: Why is this a partnership grant?
A: The NY Small Business Funders Collective prioritizes partnership. We value coordinated efforts for innovation, collaboration, and sustained impact. With this round, we hope to reveal and fund projects that build pipelines of transition-ready businesses and capital-ready buyers, as well as strengthen the systems that help businesses and buyers connect with each other. Ultimately, our aim is to increase participation/access, prevent closures, keep wealth local, and preserve jobs and community value.
Q: Are you disqualified if you already get grants from one of the funders in the Collective?
A: No. The Collective is a separate entity, and existing or potential grants from the funder organizations do not disqualify applicants.
Q: Can the partnership be new, or does it need to have a track record?
A: We understand the significant amount of time and coordination it takes to establish a successful partnership, particularly around succession planning. Existing programs and partnerships are welcome to apply to this grant opportunity. The proposal is also open to new programs and partnerships; if the partnership is new, please emphasize shared goals or objectives that demonstrate the likelihood the group will work well together.
Q: What if we have multiple initiatives?
A: It is up to you whether you discuss multiple initiatives in the application or focus on one. Each application question is character-limited.
Q: Is there a limit on how many partners may be involved in an application?
A: While there is no limit to how many partners can join together on a single application, we would ask that all partners receive a fair budget allocation and are able/willing to participate in the project. In the application, there is a note on how to list out additional partners.
Q: Who will be making the grant decisions?
A: Each proposal will go through an initial qualification screening and vetting by program management staff. After the initial screening, applications will be reviewed by a Grant Review Committee comprised of funders and external reviewers representing different vantage-points from within the small business sector.
Q: Is there a revenue threshold for “small businesses” for this grant opportunity?
A: While we do not have a cap for business size or annual revenues in this grant opportunity, we are particularly interested in projects that focus on small and micro sized businesses.
Q: What are the target businesses, and can you expand upon “historically excluded entrepreneurs”?
A: This grant opportunity is not focused on a specific industry–we welcome all business types and are particularly interested in solutions that preserve local ownership. We also monitor impact and service delivery to low-to-moderate income households. No matter the type of business, the ultimate beneficiary should be historically excluded entrepreneurs, meaning business owners that face deep and persistent barriers such as wealth gaps, discriminatory practices, or exclusionary policies. The disparities you are seeing in your service area and with your clients are likely layered, and we encourage you to discuss that in your application.
Q: Would specialized legal support that helps business owners become transition-ready (i.e. addressing ownership, contracts, due diligence, etc.) be eligible for support?
A: Yes! We view services from experts such as accountants, attorneys, and mediators as a key element to succession planning. We are also interested in services of this kind that are culturally competent, community-based, and multilingual.
Further details are covered in the Grant Guidelines, which can be found on the Collective’s website at: https://nysmallbusinessfunders.org/grant-guidelines