If you own a small business in New York City and you have been waiting for a clean, current list of funding programs that are actually open in late April 2026 — this is it. We called the city, checked the SBS application portal, and verified every program below. No vaporware, no expired links.
Program 1: Small BID Support Grant — Up to $100,000 (Deadline May 8, 2026)
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) is running the Small BID Support Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). It awards up to $100,000 per district for staffing, planning, and implementing commercial revitalization projects within a Designated Service Area.
This is targeted at Business Improvement Districts and merchant associations rather than individual storefronts, but if you are part of a small commercial corridor that does not yet have a BID, this is the program that funds the organizing work to build one.
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on May 8, 2026. Applications close hard at that time. Apply at: nyc.gov/site/sbs/neighborhoods/small-bid-support-grants.page.
Program 2: NYC Customized Training Grant — 60% Reimbursement on Employee Training
If you have at least one W-2 employee and you want to upskill your team, the SBS Customized Training Grant reimburses up to 60 percent of total training costs. The program is federally funded and is currently accepting applications on a rolling basis.
Eligible training includes industry certifications, software training, ESL for staff, and supervisory training. Apply directly through the SBS portal at nyc-business.nyc.gov.
Program 3: NYC Funds Finder — The Free Marketplace That Already Knows Which Lender Will Say Yes
NYC Funds Finder is the City’s first online capital marketplace for small businesses, built by SBS in partnership with Next Street. You enter your business details once, and it matches you with available loan and grant resources from the City’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) partners, banks, credit unions, and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Loan products currently in the marketplace include the NYC Future Fund (revenue-based loans from $100,500 to $500,000), the New York Forward Loan Fund 2 (up to $150,000), and the Contract Financing Loan Fund (up to $1,000,000 at 3% interest, for businesses with a contract with a City agency or City-funded entity).
Use the marketplace at the SBS Financing Assistance page.
How to Take Action This Week
- Call SBS for free, one-on-one help. The number is 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692), Monday–Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ask for Financing Assistance. A live person will walk you through which program fits your business — at no cost.
- If the BID grant is for you, mark May 8 on your calendar today. Late submissions are not accepted.
- Visit a NYC Business Solutions Center in person. There is one in every borough. They review your application before you submit it. Find the nearest one at nyc-business.nyc.gov.
- Pull your documents now. Most NYC small business funding applications require: most recent business tax return, two years of profit and loss statements, EIN letter, and a current Certificate of Good Standing from New York State.
What to Watch For
Be cautious of any NYC small business grant you find through a Facebook ad or a cold email. Real city programs end in nyc.gov or nyc-business.nyc.gov. They never charge an application fee. If a service offers to file your grant for you for a percentage of the award, that is a paid consultant — not a city program. Use the free SBS hotline first.
FAQ
Q: Are NYC small business grants taxable?
Yes, most grant funds are considered taxable income. Speak with your accountant about how to report the award.
Q: Can I apply for more than one program at the same time?
Yes. The Customized Training Grant, NYC Funds Finder loan products, and Small BID grant are independent of one another.
Q: I am undocumented or my business is not yet incorporated. Can I still get help?
SBS provides services regardless of immigration status. Call 888-727-4692.
This is general information about publicly available NYC programs. Eligibility rules and deadlines change. Always verify current details directly with SBS at nyc.gov/sbs or by calling 888-727-4692.
