Visit our website www.nysmallbusinessfunders.org and click on the “Apply Now” button; that will direct you to the application portal (we’re using a platform called “Apply” from Survey Monkey).

All applications are due by Friday, October 14 at 11:59 pm ET.

You can send an email directly to inquiries@nysmallbusinessfunders.org or send us a message via the contact form on our website. Should you need technical assistance in the application portal, there is also a link to contact support in the top toolbar (look for the “i” button).

No. This first grant opportunity is aimed at small business intermediaries and nonprofits that support small businesses. As the Collective’s capacity grows over time, we will employ different tactics and approaches.

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.

Yes. Eligible parties include individual business support entities, or groups of two or more business support entities, which can include for-profit, non-profit, academic, government, or other types, with a 501c3 organization as lead applicant. Please see the grant guidelines for deeper detail (in the “who’s eligible” section).

Each 12-month planning grant is up to $100,000. Planning grant awardees will be invited to participate in an implementation grant proposal process during a next phase of grantmaking in Year Two.

The NY Small Business Funders Collective prioritizes partnership. We value coordinated efforts for innovation and sustained impact. By providing one-year planning grants for small business intermediaries to design or advance partnerships that serve entrepreneurs of color poised for growth, we hope to encourage collaborative solutions. We are especially interested in connections that are at the neighborhood level and highly localized. We’re emphasizing planning to indicate that a new effort is underway or an expansion of existing effort, and planning time is needed to ensure the next result for all.

No. The Collective is a separate entity, and existing or potential grants from the member organizations do not disqualify applicants.

While the partnership does not need to be new, reviewers will pay particular attention to the potential, strength, and structure of the partnership (new or existing) to ensure it is community-informed and community-led, set up for positive impact, and sustainable over time. If the partnership is new, please emphasize shared goals or objectives that demonstrate the likelihood the group will work well together. If it is existing, you will want to show how support for a planning period will result in expanded impact.

It is up to you whether you discuss multiple initiatives in the application or focus on one. Each application question is character-limited.

Each proposal will go through an initial qualification screening and vetting by two program management staff. After this initial screening, applications will be reviewed by Grant Review Committee members, a group that is comprised of five founding members of the Collective as well as eight external reviewers representing different vantage-points from within the small business and philanthropic sector.

Lead applicants will be responsible for grant submission and reporting. We anticipate interim and final reporting will be required. Reporting will not be onerous - likely a brief written form, call, or video upload. The aim of the reporting will be mutual learning (funders and grantees) from the process and not bogging grantees down with paperwork.

No. This planning grant is focused on supporting groups that are helping businesses that are poised for growth. Therefore, some of them very likely received other forms of support and we are happy to have these dollars propel your plans to help them with their next phase of growth and success.