Queens Small Business Grants Program

NOTE: Applications for this program are no longer being accepted.

Supporting Queens Small Businesses

The Queens Small Business Grant Program aims to support Queens small businesses that are minority-owned or located in a low- to moderate-income community or a community hardest hit by COVID-19. The program is a partnership between the City and several community-based organizations and offers grants to Queens businesses and vendors with 20 or fewer employees.

Eligible applicants can receive grants equaling three months of their average 2019 revenue, up to $20,000.

Program Eligibility

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following criteria to be considered for a grant:

• Be located in Queens
• Operate as a first-floor storefront business, a second-floor restaurant, or a street vendor
• Storefront businesses include food service, retail, childcare, and personal services (barber, nail salon, etc.). They do not include professional services like accountants’ or lawyers’ offices, even if they operate in a first-floor space.
• Have been in operation since June 1, 2019, or before
• Employed 20 or fewer full time equivalent employees in 2019
• Earned gross revenue of less than $1 million in 2019, or less than $3 million if a restaurant
• Have no tax liens or unresolved judgments
• Generated a profit or came close to breaking-even in 2019

Required Documents

All applicants must submit a completed application and following documents:

• 2019 tax returns (personal or business, whichever includes the business revenue)
• A signed copy of a 4506-C form for the tax return submitted
• Three most recent months of business bank statements
• Copy of a government-issued identification card
• If requested: A letter from the applicant’s landlord, on the landlord’s letterhead, that states that the applicant is meeting their current obligation to their landlord

Street vendors must also submit the following items:

• Most recent New York State Quarterly Sales Tax filing
• General Vendor License (if relevant to your vendor type)
• Mobile Food Vending License (if relevant to your vendor type)

How to Apply

Applications for this program are no longer being accepted.