Please review the following information to determine if you or your organization meets the criteria for a Community Micro Grant. If eligible and in agreement with the fund disbursement guidelines, kindly click the link below to access our application.

Bay Ridge Cares is delighted to announce the launch of its Community Micro Grants Program, aimed at enriching our neighborhood and supporting its residents. This initiative seeks to empower individuals, groups, and organizations within the Bay Ridge community by providing financial backing for innovative and impactful projects.

The Bay Ridge Cares Community Micro Grants Program seeks to foster creativity, community engagement, and positive change by offering grants of up to $1,500. These grants will be bestowed upon projects addressing various community needs, including education, healthcare, arts and culture, senior services, youth programs, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

Here are key details about the Bay Ridge Cares Community Micro Grants Program:

Application Process: Beginning January 15, 2024, individuals, groups, and organizations are invited to submit grant applications. One micro grant will be awarded per quarter: January 1 - March 31, April 1 - June 30, July 1 - September 30, and October 1 - December 31. Applications must be received by Bay Ridge Cares at least 10 days before the end of the quarter (March 20th, June 20th, September 20th, December 20th).

Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be based in the Bay Ridge community, and projects must directly benefit Bay Ridge. All proposals should align with the program's focus areas. Bay Ridge Cares welcomes applications from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Profit-generating entities, projects promoting religious or political entities or ideologies are ineligible.

Microgrants are meant to encourage individuals and groups to take on a project that would otherwise not get funding. They are not designed to support operating costs for current operations or programming. New programming for existing programs will be considered.

Grant Distribution: Grants will be disbursed directly to vendors. Applicants must provide a detailed breakdown of fund usage and vendor information. Invoices will be paid directly to suppliers.

Exclusions: Printing, postage, office supplies, taxes, salaries, insurance, construction, large equipment, rent, stipends, marketing, and debt payments are not eligible. Other exclusions may apply.

Selection Process: A committee of Bay Ridge Cares representatives will review all applications. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of the quarter (March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31).

Grant Impact: The grants awarded aim to have a meaningful impact on the Bay Ridge community, supporting initiatives promoting inclusivity, collaboration, and community well-being.