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Use the search fields below to find hundreds of organizations in New York City that can provide you with help in starting or running your small business. Included in this searchable database are programs which offer business advice, loans, grants, location assistance, and a wide range of other services for small businesses throughout the city — often at no cost or for a low fee.
Each semester Medgar Evers College offers a variety of courses and certificate programs in areas such as business and nonprofit, healthcare, legal studies, computer technology and new media, education, and professional development. Course fees range from $70 to $3,000.
Midwood Development's Project Sweep offers commercial and residential cleaning as well as sanitation maintenance for street fairs, commercial strips, and Business Improvement Districts. There is a fee for service. MDC also can provide workers for office maintenance and light clerical work. The MDC may also be reached at 718-859-3011.
The Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Program [M/WBE] is designed to ensure the equitable participation of bona fide minority and woman-owned businesses in the New York City procurement process. The M/BWE Program affords certified M/WBE's the opportunity to receive a share of the total dollars spent annually by the City in the procurement of goods, services, and construction. All certified firms will be listed in the City's official Directory of Certified Minority- and Woman-Owned Business Enterprises. Firms must be certified and be at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a minority and/or a woman, operating for one year, and located in New York City and participating surrounding counties. Firms must also be located in New York City or have a significant tie to New York City's business community.
Additional contact: TTY 212-618-6306
The Minority and Women Revolving Loan Program is a program designed to financially assist small business owners who operate or own businesses in
Crown Heights, or Central Brooklyn. Funded by the New York Empire State Development Corporation, services are available to minority and women
business owners who have existing businesses or are starting new businesses. Loans are available from $2,000 up to $50,000 at an affordable interest rate with reasonable terms.
The Minority and Women Revolving Loan Trust Fund Program makes low-cost financial assistance available to minority and women-owned businesses ["M/WBEs"] that are unable to access traditional financial services. Working capital loans of up to $35,000 and fixed asset loans of up to $50,000 are available. BSRC also provides related technical assistance services to M/WBEs to help these businesses survive and grow. These services include: assistance with completion of loan applications, business plan development, mentorship and peer group programs, and credit union services [where available].
This loan program is open to minority and women-owned businesses with sales not exceeding $10 million and located in Southeast Queens. Loans range from $10,000. to $50,000. for working capital and $10,000. to $35,000. for fixed assets. There is a $100 application fee, 1% commitment fee, and closing costs.
The National Association of Women Business Owners of New York City (NAWBO-NYC)
NEXCO is an international trade association that sponsors monthly seminars and webinars that provide pertinent and timely information to importers, exporters, freight forwarders, bankers, attorneys, accountants, and any other professional engaged in global trade. NEXCO members have interests in insurance, international banking, freight forwarding, trade law, customs brokerage, trade software and e-commerce. They are large and small, American, foreign and multinational.
NMBC is a networking and referral organization for small women- and minority-owned businesses. It is dedicated to providing business assistance, educational opportunities, seminars, purchasing exchanges, mentoring, business listings, and related services to businesses throughout the tri-sate area and across the nation. Members are listed in a directory that is sent to corporate and government purchasing agents. NMBC also offers general technical assistance and networking events to its members. Annual membership is $385. NMBC is currently offering on a quarterly basis an Entrepreneurial Boot Camp specifically designed for individuals transitioning from employee to entrepreneur and for new entrepreneurs who have been in business less than two (2) years. For further information on the Entrepreneurial Boot Camp and to fill an Application Form for participation, please visit the NMBC Web site: www.nmbc.org.
The Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (NELP) is a project of the City Bar Justice Center, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the New York City Bar Association. NELP provides free legal assistance to low and moderate incomes entrepreneurs who own or are starting up a small business in New York City. NELP utilizes volunteer attorneys, who staff legal clinics, give presentations, and take on pro bono cases, to provide assistance on issues such as: determining the best legal structure for a business, incorporating, drafting and reviewing contracts, negotiating commercial leases, and obtaining trademark and copyright protections. If you are a microentrepreneur in New York City and are looking for legal assistance as you start or look to grow your business, please contact NELP for more information.
Shadows (1826). NYPL Art and Architecture Collection.
One of 700,000 pictures in the NYPL Digital Gallery