November 2021
Syracuse NY businesses located in the Southeast Gateway Neighborhood of the city can apply for a free grant program. Most of the funds will be for businesses that are in the real estate industry and/or are focused on economic development in the neighborhood. If the applicant is a MWBE or veteran owned businesses, that too can assist. Read about the application criteria here. https://www.centerstateceo.com/news-events/applications-open-centerstate-ceo%E2%80%99s-southeast-gateway-initiative-mini-grant-program
September and October 2021
Women owned businesses, including immigrant, Black, Latina, White, Veteran and others can apply for a grant program. Up to $10,000 will be given to each qualified business as the result of a program known as Small Business, Big Dreams – Women in Business. The grants are being provided by Bank United. The financial aid program is in effect a competition, and the funds will go to small to mid-sized businesses as long as their revenue is under $3 million. Apply here, https://www.bankunited.com/small-business/small-business-big-dreams-challenge/
August 2021
Suffolk County Community College is offering a grant program to small businesses in the county, with a major focus on disadvantaged minority and women owned companies. Citibank is a partner in providing the funds. The funds will be distributed by the Entrepreneurial Assistance Center at the college, and there is also management as well as technical help. Find details on the center here. https://ce.sunysuffolk.edu/workforce-training/entrepreneurial-assistance-center/entrepreneurial-assistance-program/
June 2021
Millions of dollars from the American Rescue Plan will be given to businesses in western NY in the form of a free grant. The focus is on Black, Latino, Asian and other minority owned businesses. Free grants as well as other support will be offered as part of a financial assistance program known as Buffalo Transformation Fund. Businesses need to be small to mid sized as well as have had lost sales and/or income due to COVID-19. The Business Exchange Center is processing the applications, and the address is 334 E. Utica Street, Buffalo, New York 14208. Call 716 342 3620
April 2021
$800 million in grants are being provided by the Empire State Development to small businesses across the state. The funds will help businesses that have been closed (for a period of time), had a reduction in revenue, or were otherwise impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A major focus is on disadvantaged businesses such as Black, Latino, Immigrant, Women, and Veteran owned businesses. Funds are for “very small” businesses or even sole-proprietors from the Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program. Apply here. https://esd.ny.gov/covid-19-loans-grants-and-technical-assistance-small-businesses
March 2021
NYC based Latinx, immigrant, women, and minority owned companies can apply for free grants of up to $10,000 from LISC of NYC. The non-profit lender is working with the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce to help small businesses. Funds are available in all boroughs, including Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn, etc. Read more. https://www.nywcc.org/
February 2021
Businesses in the NYC region can get free information, referrals, and advice from Fair Share NYC. They city has a phone number and website to help small businesses, including minority, immigrant, and women owned, get PPP loans, charitable grants, and other support. A main goal is to help businesses that need guidance during the COVID pandemic. Learn more here https://www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/article/paycheck-protection-program-ppp or dial 888-SBS-4NYC.
January 2021
New York City small businesses, that are based in lower income boroughs, can get zero percent interest rate loans. The government assistance program is the Storefront loan program, and is being run by the Department of Small Business Services. As many as 350 small to mid sized businesses, most of which will be minority owned or owned by immigrants or females, can get up to $100,000. There may be loans for businesses in Chinatown, Harlem, and other neighborhoods. Applicants need to have been cash flow positive and have under 100 employees. Read more. https://www1.nyc.gov/nycbusiness/article/nyc-lmi-storefront-loan
There were also grants and loans issued in 2020, which may be a reference. Find 2020 MWBE grants in NY.
By Jon McNamara