Who We Are:

Newark Alliances advances lasting prosperity for Newarkers by activating the full potential of Newark itself—its people, places, systems, and partnerships. ​Through bold, thoughtful, cross-sector collaboration, we deliver stronger communities, cleaner streets, smarter investments, and more opportunity. ​As Newark’s prosperity engine, we braid together tools—from policy and capital to branding, marketing and service delivery—to unlock long-term value for the people who live, work, visit, and study here.​

• For information on Newark Alliance visit  www.newark-alliance.org 
• For information on Newark Happening visit www.newarkhappening.com
• For information on Newark Downtown District : www.downtownnewark.com

Newark Alliance's Small Business Support Pilot Program for summer 2026 is a limited size and scope pilot providing assistance to businesses that are 20 employees or smaller, located in the Newark Downtown District footprint, with Interstate 280 as its northern boundary; the Passaic River, McCarter Highway (Route 21), and the NJ Transit/AMTRAK rail lines as its eastern boundary; Pennsylvania Avenue to the junction of Poinier Street, stopping at the Route 21 viaduct as its southern boundary; University Avenue as its western boundary. 

Priority through weighted scoring will be given to businesses within the boundaries of Halsey Street from Central Avenue to Hill Street; Franklin Street to Mulberry Street; Mulberry Street to Center Street; Center Street, Park Place, and Central Avenue.  

With grants, recoverable loans, guaranties and technical assistance this program will support new and existing businesses through the following:

Facility Fit-Out Subsidy - A grant to subsidize fit out of retail space for a new business or a business relocating to a new space, up to 50% up to $50K.

Product Purchase - A commitment to purchase a decreasing amount of product or services each month for a defined period from a business not yet opened, or open for no more than one year, up to $25K.

Eligible businesses meet the following criteria:

• Have or look to open a ground floor or second floor presence.
• Be considered retail in that the general public can walk into the place of business to purchase goods or services.
• Be located in the Newark Downtown District catchment area with priority given to Halsey Street Corridor  businesses.
• Be a commercial business that is a tenant or owner, landlords are not eligible.
• Not be a national or regional chain or franchise unless locally owned.
• Meet NJ Small Business Administration definition of a Small Business, have no more than 20 employees or generate no more than $1,000,000 in annual revenue.
• Be in substantial good standing with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
• Have no judgments, actions, claims, legal proceedings or investigations pending or threatened involving your entity.
• Have filed all tax and information returns required to be filed in any jurisdiction and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees of other governmental charges. Have no tax audits currently being conducted.
• Demonstrate a strong need for this support and your prospects for sustainability if awarded. That is, you can demonstrate that but- for this gap support, you could not open or sustain your operations in the immediate future. 

We strongly encourage businesses to only apply if this is true. 

Requirements

At time of application:

- Business Registration Certificate

- Financial statements P/L statements covering most recent 12 months (if applicable) and 12- month projection

- Comprehensive marketing plan with strategic marketing research

At time of grant award:

- Participate in technical assistance as prescribed in a Grant Agreement to be furnished in the event of an award.

This application will be open between July 1, 2026 at noon and August 14, 2026 at 5pm. During that time applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received. Determinations will be made through September 2026. Payments and technical assistance will begin in September 2026.

Should additional funding be secured for an extension of this program in the future based on lessons learned from this pilot, Newark Alliance will announce a relaunch with details of the size and scope afforded by the additional support.

Experience Newark Event Sponsorship Program 

Overview 

The Experience Newark Event Sponsorship Program is an initiative of the Newark Alliance that provides financial support to Newark-based nonprofits, community groups, small businesses, and individual residents who host events that strengthen community pride, celebrate Newark’s culture and diversity, and attract both residents and visitors to the city. 

Through micro-grants ranging from $500 to $2,500, the program helps cover key event expenses such as marketing, permitting, production, and local talent honorariums. Sponsorships are intended to complement other sources of support—applicants are expected to leverage additional sponsorships, donations, in-kind contributions, and volunteer services to maximize their event’s impact. 

The program prioritizes events that drive foot traffic into Newark’s commercial corridors, support local businesses, and create opportunities for cultural exchange and economic activity. Eligible event formats include festivals, cultural and holiday celebrations, arts and music showcases, public markets, neighborhood block parties, and creative placemaking activations. 

Funding is distributed in two installments: 75% upon approval and the remaining 25% after submission of a satisfactory post-event report, including event outcomes and documentation. 

Applicants are eligible to receive only one sponsorship award per individual, business, or organization per calendar year, except for the World Cup cycle. Applicants who receive a World Cup award may still apply to another cycle.

Deadline to Apply 

There will be six application cycles throughout the year. Applicants should apply during the cycle that best aligns with their event, noting that only one sponsorship award will be granted per individual, business, or organization, with the exception of the World Cup cycle.

Cycle 4: Summer

• Eligible Event Dates: September 15–October 31, 2026
• Application Closes: August 15, 2026
• Award Notifications: September 10, 2026

Notification

Applicants will be notified of the results of their submission approximately 4weeks after the application deadline.

Eligibility 

The event must take place in the City of Newark and occur during the time frame of the selected application cycle.

Applicants must:

• Operate as a Newark-based nonprofit organization or community group or be an individual Newark resident with a demonstrated history of community involvement or Newark-based for-profit small business (pilot phase only; full rollout may prioritize established events)
• Demonstrate capacity to plan, manage, and execute a public event, including budgeting, outreach, and logistics. 
• Provide evidence of appropriate permits and insurance. 
• Provide evidence of additional sponsorships, donations, etc.

Event Criteria 

Events must be free or low-cost, open to the public, and designed to benefit Newark residents, businesses, and the cultural landscape. Preference is given to events that: 

• Increase visibility and revenue for Newark-based businesses 
• Drive foot traffic to downtown and commercial corridors 
• Engage local vendors, artists, and entrepreneurs 
• Celebrate Newark’s culture, history, and diversity while fostering neighborhood pride and civic participation 
• Include a promotional strategy targeting both local and regional audiences 
• Demonstrate clear community impact and potential for repeatability or long-term growth 

Application Requirements 

Applicants must submit: 

• Completed sponsorship application 
• Valid IRS W-9 form 
• Event budget summary (anticipated expenses and revenue) 
• Detailed marketing and promotional plan 
• Documentation of secured additional funding or sponsorships

Promotional Requirements 

• Submit your event to the Newark Happening Calendar. 
• Tag @NewarkAlliance60 and @NewarkHappening on any Instagram promotions and event recaps. 

Reporting Requirements 

All sponsorship recipients must submit a Post-Event Report Form within 15 business days of the event, including: 

• Event photos and video
• Key outcomes and attendance data 
• Overview of how funds were used    

The remaining 25% of sponsorship funds will be disbursed upon satisfactory report completion. 

Experience Newark Event Sponsorship Program 

Overview 

The Experience Newark Event Sponsorship Program is an initiative of the Newark Alliance that provides financial support to Newark-based nonprofits, community groups, small businesses, and individual residents who host events that strengthen community pride, celebrate Newark’s culture and diversity, and attract both residents and visitors to the city. 

Through micro-grants ranging from $500 to $2,500, the program helps cover key event expenses such as marketing, permitting, production, and local talent honorariums. Sponsorships are intended to complement other sources of support—applicants are expected to leverage additional sponsorships, donations, in-kind contributions, and volunteer services to maximize their event’s impact. 

The program prioritizes events that drive foot traffic into Newark’s commercial corridors, support local businesses, and create opportunities for cultural exchange and economic activity. Eligible event formats include festivals, cultural and holiday celebrations, arts and music showcases, public markets, neighborhood block parties, and creative placemaking activations. 

Funding is distributed in two installments: 75% upon approval and the remaining 25% after submission of a satisfactory post-event report, including event outcomes and documentation. 

Applicants are eligible to receive only one sponsorship award per individual, business, or organization per calendar year, except for the World Cup cycle. Applicants who receive a World Cup award may still apply to another cycle.

Deadline to Apply 

There will be six application cycles throughout the year. Applicants should apply during the cycle that best aligns with their event, noting that only one sponsorship award will be granted per individual, business, or organization, with the exception of the World Cup cycle.

Cycle 4: Summer

• Eligible Event Dates: November 1– December 31, 2026
• Application Closes: September 25, 2026
• Award Notifications: October 25, 2026

Notification

Applicants will be notified of the results of their submission approximately 4weeks after the application deadline.

Eligibility 

The event must take place in the City of Newark and occur during the time frame of the selected application cycle.

Applicants must:

• Operate as a Newark-based nonprofit organization or community group or be an individual Newark resident with a demonstrated history of community involvement or Newark-based for-profit small business (pilot phase only; full rollout may prioritize established events)
• Demonstrate capacity to plan, manage, and execute a public event, including budgeting, outreach, and logistics. 
• Provide evidence of appropriate permits and insurance. 
• Provide evidence of additional sponsorships, donations, etc.

Event Criteria 

Events must be free or low-cost, open to the public, and designed to benefit Newark residents, businesses, and the cultural landscape. Preference is given to events that: 

• Increase visibility and revenue for Newark-based businesses 
• Drive foot traffic to downtown and commercial corridors 
• Engage local vendors, artists, and entrepreneurs 
• Celebrate Newark’s culture, history, and diversity while fostering neighborhood pride and civic participation 
• Include a promotional strategy targeting both local and regional audiences 
• Demonstrate clear community impact and potential for repeatability or long-term growth 

Application Requirements 

Applicants must submit: 

• Completed sponsorship application 
• Valid IRS W-9 form 
• Event budget summary (anticipated expenses and revenue) 
• Detailed marketing and promotional plan 
• Documentation of secured additional funding or sponsorships

Promotional Requirements 

• Submit your event to the Newark Happening Calendar. 
• Tag @NewarkAlliance60 and @NewarkHappening on any Instagram promotions and event recaps. 

Reporting Requirements 

All sponsorship recipients must submit a Post-Event Report Form within 15 business days of the event, including: 

• Event photos and video
• Key outcomes and attendance data 
• Overview of how funds were used    

The remaining 25% of sponsorship funds will be disbursed upon satisfactory report completion.