Apply for an Innovation Grant

Impact 100 NYC’s goal is to provide high-impact grants that reach underserved populations, highlight unmet needs in our area and raise the profile of deserving but lesser known initiatives. To support this important work and allow organizations to “dream big,” Impact 100 NYC will annually award $100,000 grants to local nonprofits. Total funding will be determined by the number of members who contribute $1,000 each towards the grants. Grant finalists are determined through a detailed process of proposal review and evaluation by members, and the grant recipients are chosen by a vote of the membership at the Impact 100 NYC Annual Meeting in May.

Applying for a grant starts with a Letter of Inquiry. Letters of Inquiry will only be accepted online beginning in October. We strongly recommend that you read carefully through our Eligibility Criteria, Grant FAQs, Application Process and Important Dates before submitting an online application.

Eligibility Criteria

Please carefully review the following eligibility criteria to determine whether both your organization and your proposal meet the criteria for an Innovation Grant from Impact 100 NYC.

As we continue to grow and evolve, Impact 100 NYC reserves the right to change its eligibility criteria without notice at any time.

Organization must:

Be classified as a “public charity” with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for 36 months prior to applying
Operate within the five boroughs of New York City for the benefit of New York City residents and communities
Have a current annual operating budget between $500,000 and $5,000,000
Submit three years of CPA audited, or reviewed financial statements (as required by NYS)
Submit 990s for the most recent three years
Not have any material pending litigation against your organization
Not be a recipient of an Impact 100 NYC $100,000 grant in the past three grant cycles

Preference will be given to organizations that:

Have limited access to large grants or the resources typically available to larger nonprofits
Operate exclusively within the five boroughs of New York City
Are not affiliated with a larger national or regional parent organization

Project must:

Benefit New York City residents and communities
Be an innovative new project or one that significantly expands an existing program
Have a total project budget of at least $100,000
Use the full amount of the grant within 24 months
Target underserved populations or promote social change

Preference will be given to projects or programs that:

Highlight unmet needs in our area
Have a measurable and sustainable high impact on beneficiaries
Are lesser known initiatives

Impact 100 NYC will not provide grants for:

Debt reduction, operating deficits, or interim or bridge funding
Endowments
Individuals or private foundations
Scholarships
Activities that are religious, partisan, legislative, or political in nature
Fundraising events, fund drives, or annual appeals
General capital campaigns (unrelated to a specific project)
Research
Organizations that do not provide direct services

Request to Grant Applicants:

Please do not call or contact Impact 100 NYC members, as all members are asked to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of the grant process.
Questions about the Impact 100 NYC grant process may only be sent to grantQ@impact100nyc.org

Impact 100 NYC

info@impact100nyc.org

Impact 100 NYC, Inc. is incorporated in the state of New York and is a nonprofit organization exempt from federal taxes under U.S. Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). Contributions are tax deductible. Impact 100 NYC is registered with the New York State Attorney General’s Office to solicit charitable contributions and hold charitable assets in New York State.