Chamber opens applications for $25,000 Wells Fargo Neighborhood Growth Grants in Manhattan Valley
Sixteen established storefront businesses between 96th and 110th Streets will receive non-repayable cash grants; applications close August 5
NEW YORK, NY — The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce today announced that applications are open for the Wells Fargo Neighborhood Growth Grants, a program delivering $25,000 non-repayable cash grants to sixteen established brick-and-mortar small businesses in Manhattan Valley. Applications close Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Sponsored by Wells Fargo and administered by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, the program is open to for-profit businesses with a physical storefront on Broadway, Columbus, or Amsterdam Avenues between 96th and 110th Streets. Eligible businesses must have at least two years of continuous operating history verified through tax filings and annual revenue between $75,000 and $2,500,000. There is no cost to apply.
"Manhattan Valley's storefronts are the cornerstone of that community — they anchor the blocks, they employ neighbors, and they've earned their place over years of showing up," said Jessica Walker, President & CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. "What sets this program apart is that it's a direct capital injection with no repayment and no strings. For an established business, $25,000 is the difference between putting off a project for another year and executing it now."
Grant funds are unrestricted and may be used for infrastructure upgrades such as commercial kitchen equipment, machinery, or point-of-sale systems; storefront renovation, expansion, or layout improvements; or operational investments including local marketing, bulk inventory, and hiring and training neighborhood staff.
A deliberately fair selection process
The program is not merit-based. After the Chamber verifies eligibility and conducts site visits, the sixteen recipients are selected at random from the pool of eligible applicants. Program selections may include a designated number of awards for existing Wells Fargo clients, but applicants do not need to be Wells Fargo customers to apply or to receive a grant. Grantees will be notified in September 2026.
"A random draw among verified, eligible businesses is the fairest way we know to distribute capital of this kind," Walker said. "It removes the advantage that usually goes to whoever has the most polished grant-writing operation — which, in a neighborhood like Manhattan Valley, is rarely the business that needs the money most."
Part of a broader national commitment
The Wells Fargo Neighborhood Growth Grants program is a $5 million initiative supporting small businesses in neighborhoods where Wells Fargo is opening new branches, including New York City, Chicago, and Nashville. The program pairs new branch openings with community investment for nearby small businesses, helping owners access capital, invest in growth, and strengthen the local economies around them.
The initiative reflects a straightforward premise: neighborhood growth starts with opportunity, and opportunity often begins with local businesses. Through grants, local partnerships, and branch-based community engagement, Wells Fargo is working to ensure its presence in these neighborhoods expands access to opportunity alongside access to financial services.
How to apply
Applications are short and free to submit. Full eligibility criteria and the application link are available at manhattancc.org/neighborhood-growth-grants. Applications close Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Businesses may be deemed ineligible at the discretion of the nonprofit administrator if the business, its owners, or its operations are found to engage in fraudulent, deceptive, discriminatory, or unlawful conduct, or otherwise pose material reputational, legal, or compliance risk to the nonprofit or funding sponsor. Grants are awarded to eligible applicants at random and are limited in number; applying does not guarantee funding.
