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Visit funder's website →Second cycle closes July 2026 (exact date not specified beyond month); stored deadline is 2026-07-01. First cycle closed February 2, 2026. Applications are currently closed with next round opening May 2026 and closing July 2026.
Community Leaders Grant is sponsored by CitizensNYC. These microgrants are awarded to New Yorkers for community-building projects carried out by resident-led groups. Projects aim to improve neighborhood life, strengthen local leadership, and scale community partnerships.
Grants support a diverse range of projects including education and youth, where leadership development can be a component.
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Community Leaders Grant - CitizensNYC Our Grants Community Leaders Grants Grant applications are currently closed. Our next round of applications will open in May. What Are Community Leaders Grants?
Our Community Leaders Grants offer up to $5,000 for projects that bring New Yorkers together to improve neighborhood life, strengthen local leadership, and scale community partnerships. Our grantee partners define their community priorities, and as a result we support a diverse range of projects in the areas of arts and culture, education and youth, environment and climate, health and wellness, economic development, and public safety.
Frequently Asked Questions What is a Community Leaders Grant? A Community Leaders Grant is a microgrant given out to New Yorkers by CitizensNYC. CitizensNYC awards microgrants of up to $5,000 to community-building projects carried out by resident-led groups to improve neighborhood life, strengthen local leadership, and scale community partnerships.
Who is eligible to apply for a Community Leaders Grant? Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for a Community Leaders Grant: They must live in one of New York City’s five boroughs. Their group or project must be “community-oriented,” meaning it currently has, or will have, two or more volunteers associated with it.
Their group or project must not be profit-generating. They must be nonprofits or grassroots volunteer groups. Their group or project must have a budget of less than $250,000 (schools and school programs are exempt).
Their group or project must not an affiliate or chapter of a larger organization. Their group or project cannot promote religious, political, or any other ideology. As long as you meet the above criteria, we want to hear about your ideas for improving New York.
We score applications based on a number of areas, including: Clarity , Quality of Life Impact , Community Engagement , and Need . For more details about our scoring criteria and what each of these areas mean, you can reference our evaluation criteria at the bottom of the page. What is the timeline for applying for a Community Leaders Grant?
Each year, we have two grant cycles. One in the fall and one in the spring. Grant Applications Open: November 3, 2025 Application Deadline: February 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM Grant Decisions Announced: May 2026 Application Deadline: July, 2026 Grant Decisions Announced: September 2026 Applicants who are awarded grants through the first cycle are ineligible to apply again during the second cycle.
Applicants for the first cycle who did not receive an award are welcome to submit an updated application for the second cycle. I have other questions. Where can I find more information?
We encourage you to join us for one of our information sessions, or for online office hours, where our team will be available to discuss any questions or concerns you have about these grants, your application, and your project idea. If you are unable to attend an info session or office hours, or if you have any other questions, you can email: grants@citizensnyc. org.
You can reference our evaluation criteria here , download a copy of the application here , and view a sample application here .
The Community Leaders Grant program is made possible by support from our philanthropic partners, including Amazon, Apple Bank, Bessemer Trust Company, Brooklyn Org, Citi, Con Edison, Google, MetLife Foundation, Morgan Stanley, M&T Bank, MUFG, National Grid Foundation, The Pinkerton Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment, Sony, The Staten Island Foundation, Verizon, our Board of Directors, and many generous individuals.
CitizensNYC creates the space and provides the resources for us to dream out loud CitizensNYC Grantee Partner, PaleFO Cinema Our Community Leaders Grantee Partners The Flossy Organization in Canarsie, Brooklyn has begun building a new New York ? one where they? ve joined with neighbors to successfully fight against harmful government decisions and fought for investments into transit equity.
They are also recruiting six high school... James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center’s The Mosholu Teaching Forest Project is an adaptation process to transform an abused and neglected urban forest area. Through explorative and learning nature walks, participants will broaden their knowledge of trees and...
88th Precinct Youth Council 88th Precinct Youth Council 88th Precinct Youth Council’s “Painting for Change” is a project that seeks to cultivate the artistic skills of youth, primarily young women of color. Through this project, participants learn how to create murals based on themes such as poverty,... The best way to reach the team at CitizensNYC is by email, and please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or ideas.
If you have a question about our Community Leaders Grants, contact grants@citizensnyc. org . If you have a question about our Neighborhood Business Grants, contact businessgrants@citizensnyc.
org . You can also find CitizensNYC staff emails on our People page.
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Applicants must live in one of New York City's five boroughs. The group or project must be community-oriented with two or more volunteers, not profit-generating, and be a nonprofit or grassroots volunteer group with a budget less than $250,000 (schools and school programs are exempt). Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Up to $5,000 Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is July 1, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
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The Homeless Youth Program is a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services that funds services for homeless and at-risk youth across Illinois. Administered through the Office of Community and Positive Youth Development, it supports nonprofit organizations delivering shelter, outreach, and support services to young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Eligible applicants are Illinois-based nonprofits with demonstrated capacity to serve youth. Awards range from $100,000 to $800,000 per year under CSFA number 444-80-0711. This is a FY 2026 funding opportunity with an application deadline of May 21, 2025.
Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC) is a grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that provides state tax credit allocations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, enabling them to attract private donations from individuals and businesses. Donors contributing $500 or more to approved projects receive tax credits equal to 50% of their contribution. The program has leveraged nearly $27 million in charitable contributions to approximately 700 projects statewide. Eligible project areas include education, housing, job training, arts and culture, economic development, and services for at-risk populations. Projects must be located in or serve residents of Maryland's Priority Funding Areas. The application period is typically held annually.
The Families First Community Grant Program is a competitive grant initiative from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) offering approximately $27 million in funding to support nonprofit organizations serving low-income Tennessee families. Grants fund programs across four priority areas: education, health, economic stability, and family well-being, aligned with TANF goals of promoting self-sufficiency. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Tennessee that provide direct services to economically disadvantaged families. The 2025 application cycle closed July 10, 2025. This program reflects Tennessee's broader commitment to strengthening communities through strategic investment in local organizations that address the root causes of poverty.