The mission of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone is to sustain the economic revitalization of all communities in Upper Manhattan through job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance.
UMEZ facilitates economic development in the neighborhoods of Central, West, and East Harlem; Washington Heights; and Inwood in three major areas: business investments, including small business loans; cultural investments; and workforce development.
General email address: info@umez.org
The UMEZ Hybrid Microloan Program is a partially convertible loan program for Upper Manhattan small businesses and nonprofits that are facing hardships due to social distancing policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Loans of up to $50,000 are available for eligible applicants. Submissions will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis as long as funds permit or until December 31, 2023, whichever comes first.
For technical support, contact Submittable at support@submittable.com.
For general inquiries, contact the UMEZ Business Investments team at businessinvestments@umez.org.
PLEASE NOTE: IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE PAUSED OUR DIRECT GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS TO FOCUS OUR RESOURCES ON A SHORT-TERM RELIEF RESPONSE.
Capacity Grants are multi-year, matching grants for organizations that are expanding their staff and operations, based on a strategic plan for growth. Requests may be made to execute selected portions of an organization’s strategic plan or other long-term effort to expand and strengthen the organization’s resources. Funding in this category may support new, non-program staff positions and consultancies; components of new fundraising, marketing, and/or earned income initiatives; and capital projects.
For technical support, contact Submittable at support@submittable.com.
For general inquiries, contact the UMEZ Cultural Investments team at culture@umez.org.
PLEASE NOTE: IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE PAUSED OUR DIRECT GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS TO FOCUS OUR RESOURCES ON A SHORT-TERM RELIEF RESPONSE.
Infrastructure Grants are multi-year grants to improve an aspect of an organization’s operations without requiring the addition of new staff positions. The project request should be driven by a business or strategic plan. Funding in this category may support a software upgrade (e.g., fundraising, financial, or marketing analytics), hardware, web site upgrade, marketing campaign, redesign brand image, sales and inventory management, capital improvements, and accessibility improvements, among other examples, as well as the implementation costs associated with the project.
For technical questions, contact Submittable at support@submittable.com.
For general inquiries, contact the UMEZ Cultural Investments at culture@umez.org.
PLEASE NOTE: IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE PAUSED OUR DIRECT GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS TO FOCUS OUR RESOURCES ON A SHORT-TERM RELIEF RESPONSE.
Infrastructure Grants are multi-year grants to improve an aspect of an organization’s operations without requiring the addition of new staff positions. The project request should be driven by a business or strategic plan. Funding in this category may support a software upgrade (e.g., fundraising, financial, or marketing analytics), hardware, web site upgrade, marketing campaign, redesign brand image, sales and inventory management, capital improvements, and accessibility improvements, among other examples, as well as the implementation costs associated with the project.
For technical questions, contact Submittable at support@submittable.com.
For general inquiries, contact the UMEZ Cultural Investments at culture@umez.org.
PLEASE NOTE: IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE PAUSED OUR DIRECT GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS TO FOCUS OUR RESOURCES ON A SHORT-TERM RELIEF RESPONSE.
Technical Assistance Grants allow organizations to work with a consultant to address a specific issue or challenge. Technical Assistance Grant projects are self-determined; organizations may seek expertise in fundraising, marketing, governance, business plan development, or similar critical needs. A Technical Assistance Grant may prepare the recipient to apply for a Capacity Grant or Infrastructure Grant.
Organizations seeking a Technical Assistance Grant will work with UMEZ staff to develop a consultant proposal based on the organization's specific needs, and to make a selection from among a list of pre-approved consultants.
For technical assistance, contact Submittable at support@submittable.com.
For general inquiries, contact the UMEZ Cultural Investments team at culture@umez.org.
PLEASE NOTE: IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE HAVE PAUSED OUR DIRECT GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS TO FOCUS OUR RESOURCES ON A SHORT-TERM RELIEF RESPONSE.
A Catalyst Grant is a one-time matching grant to support a major cultural project undertaken by partnering organizations and/or artists in Upper Manhattan. Eligible cultural projects must have the potential to attract major visitorship and build visibility for Upper Manhattan. Catalyst Grants may support participating organizations’ and artists’ marketing, public relations, audience development, and data capture expenses, as well as administrative and artistic fees associated with the project. Partner organizations do not have to be located in Upper Manhattan, but only UMEZ-eligible organizations will be eligible to receive UMEZ funds. This Letter of Inquiry must be completed by the lead applicant for the partnership group.
For technical questions, contact Submittable.
For general inquiries, contact the UMEZ Cultural Investments team at culture@umez.org.