L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant Program

The L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant Program, short for "Lifting Our Community Businesses Across Long Island," is an initiative administered by the LIA Foundation and funded through a partnership with Optimum Business. In collaboration with the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, this grant program aims to strengthen small business resilience and expansion across Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York. Now in its third year, the program continues its mission to empower underrepresented and underserved business owners on Long Island, with 2026 marking an especially celebratory year as the LIA commemorates its 100th anniversary. For the 2026 grant cycle, the program offers two levels of funding. Forty (40) small businesses will each receive a $5,000 grant, while two additional recipients—one in Nassau County and one in Suffolk County—will be awarded Grand Prizes of $20,000. The standard $5,000 grants support business growth and community development, while the Grand Prizes are intended for businesses that have experienced extreme financial hardship and present a clear plan for using the funds to ensure long-term success. The total funding for the 2026 program is expected to exceed $280,000, building on a previous total of $500,000 awarded to 90 businesses over the past two years. To be eligible, businesses must operate within Nassau or Suffolk County, be one of several New York State-recognized business types (including sole proprietorships, corporations, and LLCs), and have ten or fewer full-time employees. In addition, businesses must demonstrate a clear use of funding for growth—use of the grant to repay past debt is not permitted. Qualifying operations include brick-and-mortar storefronts, NYS-licensed home daycares, food trucks, mobile service providers such as landscapers or caterers, and other community-serving businesses with home-based operations. Applicants must be in good standing with federal, state, and local laws and must not have received a $5,000 grant from the program in either 2024 or 2025 to be eligible for that category again. Applications are submitted online and must be completed by April 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Each application must include responses to required questions, a business logo, a headshot of the primary contact, a photo of the business, and a video no longer than two minutes describing the applicant’s vision. Video links must be publicly viewable via platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, or cloud-sharing services. Incomplete or improperly formatted applications may be disqualified. While applications may be submitted in English or Spanish, all applicants must adhere to privacy, copyright, and truthfulness standards outlined by the Administrator. Once submitted, applications are reviewed by a selection committee assembled by the LIA Foundation. The committee evaluates applications based on business impact, proposed use of funds, and overall alignment with program goals. Applicants may be asked to participate in a virtual interview and undergo background checks for both the individual owner(s) and the business entity. Final $5,000 awardees will be announced in June 2026 during the Optimum Small Business Summit in Bethpage, while Grand Prize winners will be announced later in the summer. All awarded funds must be used by the end of 2026, and recipients are required to submit a final report demonstrating the outcomes of their projects. Grant checks will be made out to the business entity, and all recipients must consent to the use of their image, name, and project outcomes in promotional materials and social media. Participation in the grant program does not imply a business relationship with the funder, and all tax responsibilities fall upon the recipient. In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Long Island Association, which includes networking and business development resources.

Ensure your video link is properly shared and visible to reviewers to avoid disqualification.