Top Small Business Grants in New York

Grants for Small Businesses in New York

Global NY Fund Grant Program

• Program description: The Global NY Fund Grant Program can help you export your goods or your services from the Empire State to foreign markets. 
• Incentive: Eligible businesses can receive up to $25,000 in reimbursement for expenses related to market customization, participation in trade shows, export workshops, or product adaptations to meet foreign regulatory requirements.
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
  • Be a New York small business owner
  • Have 500 or fewer employees statewide
  • Be new to export or expand your exports to new markets abroad
  • Have at least 51% of the value of your goods or services originate in New York, or be certified as a local producer 
  • Your business is at least 12 months old
  • You have a demonstrated need for grant assistance
  • You understand how exporting works and the cost of doing business with foreign buyers
• How to apply: You can submit your application and supporting documents to the Empire State Development (ESD) agency. Contact your ESD Global NY regional representative for more information and guidance.

New York State Council on the Arts Theatre Regrant Program

• Program description: The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) in partnership with the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York offers a Creative Opportunity Fund regrant to small professional theatres.
• Incentive: Small professional theatres with budgets under $500K can receive general operating support grants of $2,000 to $5,000.
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
  • Be a New York-based theatre company with at least two years of public programming experience
  • Operate as a 501(c) nonprofit, fiscally sponsored, or unincorporated artist collective organization
  • Have a business structure that’s not a limited liability company (LLC) or domestic business corporation
  • Host live performances in New York
  • Your annual spending budget doesn’t exceed $500K 
  • You agree to use at least 50% of the regrant to pay artists if you’re not already providing compensation to artists
• How to apply: Apply online if and when the A.R.T./New York grant application reopens.

City of Troy’s Community Business Investment Grant

• Program description: The City of Troy’s Community Business Investment Grant can provide reimbursement funds to eligible commercial and mixed-use projects. Such projects can include interior or exterior renovations to a commercial space, among other capital improvements.
• Incentive: Business owners in Troy can receive between $5,000 and $50K in reimbursement for expenses related to a capital improvement project.
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
  • Be a property owner or business owner in the City of Troy
  • Be current on all taxes
  • Propose a capital improvement project, such as making energy efficiency upgrades to your commercial property or rehabbing an industrial building
  • Certify a minimum 50% match requirement
  • Have proof of available financing for your project
  • Begin project within six months of grant approval
  • Complete the project within one year of project commencement, unless granted an extension
• How to apply: Check the City of Troy’s website for updates on whether the grant program application reopens in 2024.

City of Rochester Small Business Grant Programs

• Program description: The City of Rochester offers small business reimbursement grants to eligible retail and neighborhood service establishments that buy new computers, security equipment, furniture, or signage.
• Incentive: Receive $8K maximum reimbursement across the following business needs: 
  • Up to $5,000 for advertising expenses or computer system upgrades
  • Up to $2,000 for buying and installing security camera and alarm systems
  • Up to $2,000 for buying furniture, fixtures, and equipment
  • Up to $1,000 for buying new signage or repairing an existing sign
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant:
  • Be a retail establishment or consumer services business owner with annual gross revenues of $5 million or less
  • Operate your Rochester-based business in accordance with local zoning regulations
  • Meet the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) eligibility guidelines of providing an essential product or service in low-to-moderate-income areas (or meet other HUD guidelines)
  • Be current on your sales and property taxes
  • Have no outstanding code violations or nuisance points on your commercial property
  • Operate an eligible business or enterprise (adult entertainment businesses, check-cashing facilities, gambling facilities, gun shops, home-based businesses, payday loan operations, and vape shops are not eligible)
• How to apply: You can download an application on the City of Rochester’s website. Contact the city’s Neighborhood and Business Development Department for guidance.

Market New York Tourism Grant

• Program description: The Market New York grant program can help small businesses and other eligible applicants pay for tourism marketing initiatives in the Empire State.
• Incentive: Receive potential $50K minimum reimbursement for tourism marketing projects and potential $150K minimum reimbursement for capital projects.
• General requirements: Here are some of the general requirements for this grant if you’re a small business owner:
  • Be a for-profit business certified in the state of New York
  • Propose a marketing or capital project that will promote tourism in the region or state
  • Complete and submit a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA)
  • Applicant pays at least 50% total marketing project costs after reimbursement (requires $50K minimum grant request for minimum $100K project)
  • Applicant pays at least 80% total capital project costs after reimbursement (requires $150K minimum grant request for minimum $750K project)
• How to apply: Contact New York State Division of Tourism staff for information about the next round of funding.

Who Provides Small Business Grants in New York?

• Arizona small business grants
• California small business grants
• Colorado small business grants
• Florida small business grants
• Georgia small business grants
• Illinois small business grants
• Indiana small business grants
• Maryland small business grants
• Michigan small business grants
• NC small business grants
• NJ small business grants
• Ohio small business grants
• Pennsylvania small business grants
• Texas small business grants
• Wisconsin small business grants

Do You Have to Pay Back a Small Business Grant?

Who Is Eligible for Small Business Grants in New York?

What Industries Does New York Support With Grants?

• Manufacturing
• Performing arts companies 
• Retail trade (store and nonstore retailers)

New York Resources for SMB Owners Looking for Funding

New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)

• Business training courses, seminars, and workshops
• Library and research services
• Confidential business counseling at no cost

SBA District Offices in New York

• SBA Buffalo District Office. This SBA district serves 14 of the westernmost counties of New York. Depending on where you’re based, you can contact the main office in Buffalo or the satellite office in Rochester.
• SBA Metro New York District Office. This SBA district serves 14 counties in New York City, Long Island, and the surrounding area. Depending on where you’re based, you can contact the main office in New York City or the satellite office in Hauppauge.
• SBA Syracuse District Office. This SBA district serves 34 counties in upstate New York. Depending on where you’re based, you can contact the main office in Syracuse, branch office in Albany, or the satellite office in Elmira.

Alternative Funding Sources for Small Businesses in New York

New York State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI)

• New York State Contractor Financing Program — $154 million. This program has two components: The $102 million Emerging and Regional Partner Program Fund and the $52 million Community and Regional Partner Program Fund. This equity capital program will provide funding to eligible New York businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Capital Project Loan Fund — $106 million. This program will provide small business loans to eligible businesses in New York that need the financing to acquire and renovate existing buildings, construct new buildings, or purchase machinery and equipment.
• New York State Small Business Revolving Loan Fund Round 2 — $55.6 million. This program will provide microloans and larger loans typically under $250K to eligible new companies and startups in New York.
• New York Forward Loan Fund 2 — $47 million. This state-sponsored program will allow eligible small businesses to access loans of up to $150K with competitive, fixed interest rates.
• New York State Innovation Venture Capital Fund — $35.3 million. This program will help eligible startups access venture capital.
• Pre-seed and Seed Matching Fund Program — $30 million. This program will provide eligible startups with $50K to $250K of direct SSBCI equity capital and matching private sector investment.
• Capital Access Program — $29.4 million. This program uses SSBCI matching funds to support portfolio insurance on small business loans.
• New York State Contractor Financing Program — $22 million. This SSBCI program helps eligible businesses access lines of credit typically up to $500K for financing project-related expenses when working on a government contract.
• New York State Surety Bond Assistance Program — $22 million. This program will provide technical and financial assistance to help eligible businesses secure government contracts and surety bonding on publicly funded projects.

NY Microloan Lenders

New York SMB Loans from Private Lenders

• Commercial real estate loans
• Equipment financing
• Small business loans for startups
• Working capital lines of credit

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