Pre-Submission Application Information
Celebrating 15 Years of Community Impact
Resorts World New York City celebrates its 15th anniversary by providing programmatic funding to Queens-based nonprofit organizations making a measurable impact in the community.
Through Celebrate 15 for Queens, 15 eligible organizations will each receive a $10,000 grant to support, expand, or scale an established program.
A total of $150,000 in programmatic grant funding will be awarded.
Application Period
Applications Open: October 5, 2026
Applications Close: October 19, 2026
Applications must be submitted through Submittable by the published deadline.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Before You Apply
Please review the following requirements carefully before beginning an application.
Organizational Eligibility
Applicants must:
• Be a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing;
• Have an official federal registration address located in Queens, New York;
• Not have received an award through Resorts World New York City’s previous grant drawing;
• Apply for funding to support an existing program or ongoing programmatic operation;
• Meet all applicable program and reporting requirements; and
• Agree to the Celebrate 15 for Queens Terms and Conditions.
Organizations currently receiving other funding from Resorts World New York City may apply, provided they otherwise meet all eligibility requirements.
Queens Geographic Requirement
Geographic eligibility is based on the organization’s official address of record associated with its federal tax-exempt registration.
The federally registered address must be located within Queens, New York.
An organization’s service area, program location, satellite office, mailing reach, or the residency of the individuals it serves does not establish geographic eligibility.
Organizations that provide services in Queens but maintain an official federal registration address outside of Queens are not eligible.
Applicants may be required to provide documentation necessary to verify their legal name, EIN, 501(c)(3) status, and federal address of record.
Program Eligibility
Celebrate 15 for Queens is intended to support established programs and ongoing programmatic operations.
The program for which funding is requested must:
• Have been operating for at least one year prior to the application deadline;
• Have a demonstrated history of program activity and measurable results;
• Be an existing program rather than a newly proposed or untested initiative; and
• Have a defined programmatic use for the requested funding.
Applicants should be prepared to provide measurable evidence of prior program performance, which may include participation data, services delivered, completion rates, program outcomes, placements, certifications, community reach, or other relevant quantitative or qualitative measures.
Proposed Use of Funds
Applicants must submit a specific proposal describing how a $10,000 grant will be used within six months of the disbursement of funds.
Funding should be used to:
• Support an existing program or strengthen current program delivery;
• Expand the reach, capacity, participation, or services of an existing program; or
• Scale an established program to additional participants, cohorts, locations, communities, or service needs.
The application should clearly explain:
• What the grant will support;
• How the $10,000 will be used;
• What activities will take place during the six-month implementation period;
• Who will benefit from the funding;
• What measurable results are anticipated; and
• How the organization will measure the effectiveness of the grant.
Applicants should present a defined programmatic use of funds rather than an unspecified request for general organizational support.
Selection Process
All applications will first undergo an eligibility and qualification review.
Organizations that meet the applicable requirements will enter the approved applicant pool.
From the approved applicant pool, a review committee will identify 10 finalist organizations based on the strength of their applications, demonstrated program history and impact, proposed use of funds, and relevant area of focus.
Resorts World New York City employees will then review the 10 finalists and select five organizations to receive grants.
The five finalists not selected through the employee process will return to the broader approved applicant pool.
On October 28, 2026, Resorts World New York City will randomly draw 10 additional grant recipients from the remaining approved applicant pool.
The final award structure will consist of:
• 5 organizations selected through the finalist and employee review process;
• 10 organizations selected through the October 28 grant drawing;
• 15 total grant recipients; and
• $10,000 awarded to each recipient.
Each organization may receive no more than one Celebrate 15 for Queens grant.
Meeting the eligibility requirements, entering the approved applicant pool, or being selected as a finalist does not guarantee receipt of a grant.
Impact Reporting Requirement
All selected grant recipients will be required to submit an impact report or impact statement within eight months following the disbursement of grant funds.
The report must demonstrate how the grant was used and the results achieved.
Recipients should be prepared to report, as applicable:
• How grant funds were used;
• Activities or services supported;
• Number of individuals or communities reached;
• Measurable outputs and outcomes;
• Progress against the goals identified in the original application;
• Qualitative or quantitative evidence of program impact;
• Significant achievements or challenges; and
• Any material changes from the originally proposed use of funds.
Organizations already receiving funding from Resorts World New York City may, where appropriate, consolidate Celebrate 15 for Queens reporting into an existing RWNYC impact report request through Submittable.
When reports are consolidated, the use and impact of Celebrate 15 for Queens funding must remain clearly identifiable.
Failure to submit the required impact report within the applicable reporting period may result in exclusion from future Resorts World New York City grant programs, ineligibility for future funding opportunities, and/or other limitations on future participation or consideration for support.
October 28 Recognition
Celebrate 15 for Queens will culminate on October 28, 2026, as part of Resorts World New York City’s 15th anniversary recognition.
The program is expected to include:
• Recognition of selected grant recipients;
• A live drawing for 10 additional grant recipients from the approved applicant pool;
• Ceremonial check presentations;
• Individual and group photography;
• Recipient interviews;
• Community-impact storytelling; and
• Press, social media, and communications opportunities highlighting participating organizations and their work.
Additional details will be provided to participating organizations.
Applicant Acknowledgment
Before submitting an application, applicants should confirm that they:
• Meet the organizational and geographic eligibility requirements;
• Are applying for an established program with at least one year of operating history;
• Can demonstrate measurable historical program results;
• Have a defined use for the $10,000 grant within six months of disbursement;
• Agree to provide required impact reporting within eight months of disbursement; and
• Have reviewed and agree to the Celebrate 15 for Queens Terms and Conditions.
Program Disclaimer
Genting New York LLC d/b/a Resorts World New York City reserves all rights, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to administer Celebrate 15 for Queens and to interpret, modify, amend, supplement, suspend, postpone, extend, shorten, or cancel any aspect of the program, including its application requirements, eligibility criteria, timelines, review procedures, selection process, drawing procedures, event activities, reporting requirements, or other administrative provisions.
Genting New York LLC d/b/a Resorts World New York City further reserves the right to request additional information or documentation, correct administrative or clerical errors, resolve ambiguities or unforeseen circumstances, verify eligibility and application information, disqualify applicants that do not satisfy program requirements, and take other reasonable actions necessary to preserve the fairness, integrity, and orderly administration of the program.
Any material changes affecting applicants or participants will be communicated as appropriate.