The BID Formation Grant Program is administered by the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and aims to support the formation and expansion of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in underserved commercial corridors throughout New York City. The program provides funding to place-based nonprofit organizations that have an active BID Formation Steering Committee, have completed a needs assessment survey, and are engaged in planning, outreach, or legislative phases of the BID Formation process. This initiative aligns with the city's long-term investment strategy to strengthen small businesses as outlined in Rebuild, Renew, Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations incorporated in New York State that are in compliance with federal and state filing requirements. The organizations must also be currently coordinating, hosting, or serving as the fiscal conduit for a BID Formation Steering Committee. The program targets neighborhoods where a Commercial District Needs Assessment (CDNA) or BID Formation Needs Assessment Survey has been completed and reviewed by SBS. Applicants are encouraged to review existing data, engage community stakeholders, and establish partnerships with other local organizations to ensure the viability of their BID proposals.

Grant funding of up to $100,000 per year per neighborhood is available and can be used for staffing, planning, and implementation activities related to BID formation. Allowable expenses include personnel costs for BID project management, outreach activities, needs assessments, database management, and community engagement. Funding may also be used for demonstration projects that showcase the potential benefits of a BID, such as public space improvements, business support initiatives, marketing campaigns, and sanitation services. However, funds may not be used for re-granting, lobbying, alcohol purchases, or construction costs for individual businesses.

The application process requires submission through SurveyMonkey Apply by 11:59 p.m. on March 30, 2025. Applicants must provide documentation including a proposal outlining their BID Formation strategy, a detailed budget, proof of nonprofit status, a list of steering committee members, and letters of support from local City Council members. Applications will be evaluated on four main criteria: proposal strength (50 points), need (20 points), organizational capacity (10 points), and partnerships (20 points). A committee from SBS will review the applications on a competitive basis.

Selected organizations will enter into a contract with the City of New York, with agreements spanning from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Organizations must comply with contracting requirements such as financial audits, insurance registration, and submission of performance reports. Grantees are required to participate in regular SBS check-ins, submit monthly expense reimbursements, and track project impacts.

For further inquiries, applicants may contact SBS at Neighborhoods@sbs.nyc.gov. The official application portal can be accessed at https://smallbusinessservices.smapply.io/.