SBS’ Neighborhood Development Division (NDD) works with community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to strengthen and revitalize commercial districts by directly addressing locally identified community development needs, resulting in vibrant neighborhoods where New Yorkers can shop, work, and live.
The FY26 Merchant Organizing Grant will fund nonprofit organizations to support commercial districts and merchants associations across New York City. Applicants must propose place-based projects and services that aim to form new merchants associations or revitalize and expand existing merchants associations in a specific neighborhood. Projects should engage merchants to develop relationships, foster partnerships, and build local capacity to steward ongoing commercial revitalization efforts beyond the term of the grant. In addition to merchant meetings and engagement, applicants are strongly encouraged to propose at least one demonstration project that will garner merchant support and demonstrate the value of joining a merchants association. Demonstration projects may align with one or more of the following categories:
- Business Attraction
- Business Support and Retention
- Cleanliness and Beautification
- District Marketing
- Placemaking
The FY26 Merchant Organizing Grant will fund up to $100,000 per neighborhood to nonprofit organizations to lead merchant organizing efforts. Grant work will be implemented between July 2025 and June 2026. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process. Proposed projects and services should align with the best practices outlined in SBS’ Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Merchants Association.
Applicants must be:
- Incorporated nonprofit corporations that operate, or have the authority to operate, in New York
- Compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements that are pertinent to their type of organization, including New York State Charities Bureau filings
Click Here to Download the FY26 Merchant Organizing Grant Program Guidelines
FY26 Merchant Organizing Grant
SBS’ Neighborhood Development Division (NDD) works with community-based development organizations (CBDOs) to strengthen and revitalize commercial districts by directly addressing locally identified community development needs, resulting in vibrant neighborhoods where New Yorkers can shop, work, and live.
The FY26 Merchant Organizing Grant will fund nonprofit organizations to support commercial districts and merchants associations across New York City. Applicants must propose place-based projects and services that aim to form new merchants associations or revitalize and expand existing merchants associations in a specific neighborhood. Projects should engage merchants to develop relationships, foster partnerships, and build local capacity to steward ongoing commercial revitalization efforts beyond the term of the grant. In addition to merchant meetings and engagement, applicants are strongly encouraged to propose at least one demonstration project that will garner merchant support and demonstrate the value of joining a merchants association. Demonstration projects may align with one or more of the following categories:
- Business Attraction
- Business Support and Retention
- Cleanliness and Beautification
- District Marketing
- Placemaking
The FY26 Merchant Organizing Grant will fund up to $100,000 per neighborhood to nonprofit organizations to lead merchant organizing efforts. Grant work will be implemented between July 2025 and June 2026. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process. Proposed projects and services should align with the best practices outlined in SBS’ Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Merchants Association.
Applicants must be:
- Incorporated nonprofit corporations that operate, or have the authority to operate, in New York
- Compliant with annual State and Federal filing requirements that are pertinent to their type of organization, including New York State Charities Bureau filings
Click Here to Download the FY26 Merchant Organizing Grant Program Guidelines