Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions Grant 2026: Everything Nonprofit Organizations in New York, New Jersey, and Utah Need to Know

Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s most recognized financial institutions, is once again opening its Community Development Grants program for 2026 — and nonprofit organizations working to advance economic opportunity in low- and moderate-income communities across New York, New Jersey, and Utah should take note. Through two distinct funding initiatives — the Change Makers Initiative and the Equity Builders Initiative — Goldman Sachs is providing both one-time and multi-year general operating grants to high-impact nonprofits committed to transforming the lives of individuals and families in underserved communities.

This article provides a thorough and detailed breakdown of the Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions Grant program for 2026, covering what it is, the two initiatives on offer, who is eligible, what the assessment criteria are, how the funding works, the timeline, and how to apply.

What Is the Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions Program?

The Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions program is a philanthropic grant initiative rooted in the firm’s long-standing belief that strong communities are the foundation of economic growth and a prosperous society. Through its Community Development Grants program, Goldman Sachs provides funding to nonprofit organizations that are committed to advancing economic opportunity and mobility in low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities across the United States.

The programme has already demonstrated meaningful impact. According to self-reported data from 2025 grantees collected in January 2026, the program has:

• Reached over 808,000 community members
• Served more than 2,000 small businesses
• Supported 30 grant champions across its initiatives

These figures reflect the scale and depth of Goldman Sachs’s investment in community development — and the 2026 cycle represents the next chapter in that commitment.

The Four Pillars of Goldman Sachs Community Development

The Goldman Sachs Community Development Grants program is structured around four core areas of focus, all of which are designed to address the most pressing and interconnected challenges facing low- and moderate-income communities:

1. Affordable Housing Solutions

This pillar focuses on providing access to affordable, safe, and stable housing for LMI individuals and families. Housing instability is one of the most significant barriers to economic mobility, and Goldman Sachs recognizes that sustainable community development must begin with ensuring that people have a secure place to live.

2. Essential Community Services

This pillar encompasses a broad range of critical support systems, including social services, education, job training, and broader community development initiatives. The goal is to ensure that LMI individuals have access to the services and skills they need to participate fully in the economy and society.

3. Small Business Growth

This pillar focuses on providing catalytic capital and philanthropic investment in economic development, with a particular emphasis on under-resourced small businesses. Small businesses are the backbone of local economies, and targeted support for entrepreneurs in LMI communities can generate jobs, build wealth, and revitalize neighborhoods.

4. Neighborhood Revitalization

This pillar supports activities that help attract new businesses and residents to underserved neighborhoods or retain existing ones. Neighborhood revitalization is about creating conditions for long-term, sustainable community prosperity — not just addressing immediate needs.

The Two Grant Initiatives: Change Makers and Equity Builders

The Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions program for 2026 operates through two distinct funding initiatives, each with a different structure and purpose. Both are currently open for applications.

Initiative 1: The Change Makers Initiative

The Change Makers Initiative is an annual funding opportunity that provides a one-time general operating grant to high-impact nonprofit organizations located in New York, New Jersey, and Utah. This initiative is designed for nonprofits that are driving innovation and measurable impact in LMI communities through differentiated approaches and community-driven solutions.

Key themes that have defined recent Change Makers cohorts include:

• Access to Housing: Expediting access to affordable apartments for homeless New Yorkers with housing vouchers
• Embracing AI: Leading artificial intelligence adoption initiatives and ensuring LMI communities are not left behind in the digital economy, through literacy training and organizational transformation
• Empowering Parents: Providing free, high-quality childcare that enables parents to work toward financial autonomy and security
• Building Financial Futures: Offering financial coaching and debt relief services that open pathways to homeownership and long-term economic stability

Past Change Makers grantees include a wide range of recognized organizations such as Brooklyn Public Library (LevelUp), DataKind, iMentor NYC, Rising Tide Capital, Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners, The HOPE Program, BRICK Networks, DreamYard Project, Van Alen Institute, and many others across New York, New Jersey, and Utah.

Initiative 2: The Equity Builders Initiative

The Equity Builders Initiative provides multi-year, general operating grants to nonprofit organizations working to build organizational capacity and sustainably deepen their impact in the LMI communities they serve. Unlike the Change Makers one-time grant, Equity Builders is designed for organizations that are ready to take a longer-term view of their growth and impact — and that need sustained, flexible investment to do so.

Multi-year general operating grants are among the most valuable forms of philanthropic support available to nonprofits, because they provide the financial stability and flexibility needed to invest in staff, systems, leadership, and long-term strategic planning — not just individual programmes or projects.

Both initiatives are currently open for applications. Eligible organizations should carefully review both options and determine which initiative best aligns with their organizational stage and funding needs.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

To be considered for either the Change Makers or Equity Builders initiative, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

1. Be a domestic, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization registered under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code
2. Have a clear and demonstrable focus on community development, specifically addressing the needs of LMI areas or households
3. Operate primarily in one of the following specified geographic regions:
   • New York: New York County, Bronx County, Kings County, Richmond County, or Queens County
   • New Jersey: Hudson County or Essex County
   • Utah: Salt Lake County, Summit County, or Tooele County

These geographic parameters are important. The grant is not available to nonprofits operating outside of these specific counties, even if they are based in the broader states of New York, New Jersey, or Utah. Organizations must confirm that their primary area of operation falls within the designated counties before applying.

Assessment Criteria: What Goldman Sachs Is Looking For

Applications to the Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions Grant will be evaluated based on — but not limited to — the following three core criteria:

1. Impact

• Applications should specify measurable outcomes in LMI communities
• Applicants must demonstrate a documented history of effectively meeting community needs
• Goldman Sachs is looking for evidence that the organization’s work produces real, quantifiable change in the lives of LMI individuals and families

2. Community Engagement

• Applications should demonstrate meaningful engagement with LMI communities throughout the design and implementation of programming
• Goldman Sachs prioritizes community-driven solutions — meaning that the people most affected by the challenges being addressed should be active participants in shaping the solutions
• Organizations that position community members as partners rather than passive recipients of services will be viewed favorably

3. Innovation

• Applications should demonstrate a differentiated approach to community development
• Applicants should articulate clearly how their model advances beyond existing solutions and delivers measurable impact for LMI communities
• Goldman Sachs is particularly interested in organizations that are finding new and more effective ways to address longstanding challenges in housing, employment, financial inclusion, education, and small business development

Application Timeline

The Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions Grant operates on the following timeline for the 2026 cycle:

• Phase 1 — Application Submission: All eligible applicants must submit their completed application by July 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). This is a firm deadline and late submissions will not be considered.
• Phase 2 — Award Decisions: Award decisions will be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2026. Successful awardees will be notified ahead of a public announcement.
• Phase 3 — Funding Disbursement: Funding will be disbursed to awarded nonprofits by the end of 2026, for implementation and programming throughout 2027.

How to Apply

Organizations wishing to apply to either the Change Makers or Equity Builders initiative should:

1. Review the 2026 Application Questions PDF, available on the Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions webpage
2. Consult the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for additional guidance and clarification
3. Submit applications through the official online application portal by the deadline of July 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST

For any additional questions not addressed in the FAQ, prospective applicants can reach out directly to the Goldman Sachs Community Development team at: gs-cd-grants@gs.com

You can find the 2026 Application Questions PDF here.

Read More and Apply Here

Why This Grant Matters for LMI Communities

General operating grants of the kind offered through both the Change Makers and Equity Builders initiatives are widely regarded as the most impactful and flexible form of philanthropic support that a nonprofit organization can receive. Unlike restricted project grants that can only be spent on specific activities, general operating grants give organizations the freedom to use the funding where it is most needed — whether that is hiring staff, upgrading technology, improving financial management, expanding programmes, or building reserves for resilience.

For nonprofits working in LMI communities in New York City, New Jersey, and Utah, where the cost of living is high and the funding landscape is competitive, a Goldman Sachs Community Development grant can be genuinely transformational. Beyond the financial support, selection as a Goldman Sachs Community Development Champion brings significant reputational recognition and the opportunity to be part of a network of high-impact organizations working toward a common goal of economic opportunity and mobility for all.

Conclusion

The Goldman Sachs Community Development Champions Grant 2026 is a compelling and high-value funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations in New York, New Jersey, and Utah that are doing serious, measurable work to advance economic opportunity in low- and moderate-income communities. Whether through the one-time general operating grant of the Change Makers Initiative or the sustained, multi-year investment of the Equity Builders Initiative, Goldman Sachs is offering nonprofits the kind of flexible, unrestricted funding that can truly move the needle on community development.

With a track record of reaching over 808,000 community members and serving more than 2,000 small businesses through past grantees, the program has a proven record of supporting organizations that are making a real and lasting difference. The application deadline of July 24, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST is firm, and competition is expected to be strong. Eligible nonprofits should begin preparing their applications immediately, ensuring they can clearly demonstrate measurable impact, deep community engagement, and an innovative approach that goes beyond existing solutions. This is your opportunity to join a cohort of community development champions backed by one of the world’s most prominent financial institutions — do not miss it.

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