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Manhattan Community Award Program

Applications for the Manhattan Community Award Program (MCAP) and the Manhattan Composting Initiative (MCI) are now open. Please note these are small dollar expense grants (ranging from $3,500-$10,000) for Manhattan-based organizations serving seniors, youth, arts organizations, composting and composting education programs, education and recreational programming. The deadline to apply is August 30th by 5pm. Apply here. For any questions please contact Nelson Andino at nandino@manhattanbp.nyc.gov or Maytee Cariño at mcarino@manhattanbp.nyc.gov.

Manhattan Community Awards Program (MCAP) Guidelines

The Manhattan Community Awards Program (MCAP) is contracted through three city agencies: the Department for the Aging (DFTA), the Department of Corrections (DOC), and the Department of Education (DOE). Please note that applicants must select an agency and submit a proposal for a project that serves the overall mission and goals of that agency. The MCAP application for FY25 is now open and available here.

Award Size: One-time contract ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Please note that the maximum funding for programs contracted via DOE is $5,000.

Award Type: This is a reimbursement grant. All goods and services must be purchased or provided no later than June 30 of the relevant FY in order for an organization to receive the funding.

Deadline: August 30, 2024 by 5 pm. There will be no extensions granted.

Focus: The Manhattan Community Award Program prioritizes funding to organizations working with Manhattan communities and addressing the priorities noted below.

For FY 25, we seek to fund programs that address (but are not limited to) the following core priorities:

Senior Programs

  • Health, fitness, education, nutrition, and other programs serving seniors and intergenerational populations
  • Arts and cultural programming for seniors
  • Food pantry and emergency food access programs for seniors

Climate Mitigation and Resiliency

  • Public engagement around specific Manhattan-based resiliency projects
  • Green roof projects, hydroponics, and community gardens

Education

  • Sports and other after-school physical education programs
  • Youth arts programs
  • Youth health and wellness programs

Anti-Gun Violence Initiatives

  • Anti-gun violence and intervention programs
  • Performance, literary and visual arts partnerships addressing social justice and the impacts of racism
  • School-arts organization partnerships pertaining to anti-gun initiatives

Manhattan Composting Award (MCA) Guidelines

For FY 25, Manhattan Borough President Levine will allocate a minimum of $50,000 to support composting programs throughout Manhattan. Reducing the amount of organic waste that enters our waste stream is one of the easiest and most effective ways to combat climate change. This application is now open and can be found here.

Award Size: One-time contract ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Please note that the maximum funding for programs contracted via DOE is $5,000.

Award Type: This is a reimbursement grant. All goods and services must be purchased or provided no later than June 30 of the relevant fiscal year in order for an organization to receive the funding.

Deadline: August 30, 2024 by 5 pm. There will be no extensions granted.

Priority projects include (but are not limited to):

  • Composting and composting education programs for youth
  • Composting and composting education programs for seniors and/or intergenerational populations
  • Community engagement regarding the importance of composting and the many options for doing so throughout Manhattan

General Review Criteria for MCAP or MCA Applications

Each applicant must complete an online application with questions related to how the funding will be used and the applicant organization’s operations. A review panel made up of the Borough President’s budget staff will assess the application based on the following criteria:

Organization & Mission

  • Reviewers will evaluate responses to questions related to the organization’s fiscal health, governance, administration structure, leadership, and history. Capacity for managing the proposed project and prior project excellence will be evaluated.

Project Description

  • Applicants should propose a project that addresses the stated need of the population. The project description should outline achievable deadlines or timetables for deliverables, and criteria for evaluating the project’s success. Goals, objectives, and outcomes should be clearly defined, measurable, and timely. Reviewers expect answers to be succinct, clear, and thorough.

Project Budget

  • Evaluators will review the project budget item listed in the application. Applicants may attach an additional organizational budget to provide further information regarding the organization’s size and capacity.

Need for MCAP Funding

  • The application should justify the need for funding by outlining a gap in services or resources that this funding would fill to make the project successful.

Restrictions and Other Important Information/Guidelines:

  • Capital improvements are not allowable costs.
  • Travel expenses or gift cards are not allowable costs.
  • Please consider that any stipends or salaries must be lower than 50% of the grant request.
  • Any religious organizations must have a 501(c)3 human service organization designation.
  • All organizations must provide proof of insurance.
  • Funds can only support activities and programs conducted within Manhattan.
  • Please note that any organization that has an existing profile in the application database and needs a password reset MUST request this reset no later than August 23, 2024. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants begin their applications prior to August 23, 2024.

For any questions, contact our Budget Unit via email: