Organizer Information
UpTide is an accelerator run by the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact at 92NY (92nd Street Y), delivered in partnership with SEED SPOT. 92NY is a cultural and community center that has run impactful community programming for over 150 years. The Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact was founded in 2012 and has since launched more than 20 initiatives that have collectively reached over 100 million people and is best known for creating GivingTuesday, the Social Good Summit, and Share Our America. The Belfer Center brings over a decade of experience running fellowship programs, including Women inPower, the Jewish Innovation Fellowship, NYC Venture Fellows, NYC Fashion Fellows, and the Ford Motor Company International Fellowship. SEED SPOT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs in building businesses that improve lives, and has served over 4,000 entrepreneurs over the past decade, who have collectively created almost 10,000 jobs through their social enterprises.
Title & Description
UpTide Accelerator — Fuel Your Nonprofit's Growth: Funding, Strategy & the Tools to Get There
UpTide is an accelerator supporting US-based nonprofits that have pioneered scalable, replicable models to increase connection and strengthen community ties, addressing what the program calls the "Crisis of Community" — the growing disconnection and disaffiliation underlying many societal challenges. The program combines a $5,000 unrestricted grant, an in-person week in New York City, strategic planning, mentorship, and a pitch opportunity for additional funding at 92NY's Showcase Day.
Theme
Combating the "Crisis of Community" by supporting nonprofit organizations whose mission and programming work to increase connection and strengthen community ties.
Categories
- Culture
- Art Management
- Educations
Eligibility
- Applicant must be 18 years of age or older
- Applicant must be in a full-time role as the Executive Director, President, or CEO of the applying organization
- Organization must be a US-based nonprofit with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in good standing
- Organization's mission and programming must address the "Crisis of Community" — growing disconnection and disaffiliation
- Organization must directly serve at least 500 people, or a meaningful proportion of its community
- Organization must have implemented at least one proven intervention with at least one year of positive impact data demonstrating the desired outcome
- Organization must have a replicable model that is making a meaningful impact and is ready to scale
- Applicants must be able to commit to attending all virtual sessions, NYC Week, and Showcase Day in full
Program Benefits & Awards
- $5,000 unrestricted grant upon completing all elements of the UpTide accelerator
- A week in New York City with programming, partner meetings, and Showcase Day, with flights, hotel, and most meals paid for by UpTide
- Opportunity to receive up to $25,000 in additional grant funding by presenting the organization at Showcase Day on 92NY's stage
- Expert guidance to craft a pitch deck and presentation for Showcase Day
- A customized 3-year strategic plan to scale the organization's impact
- Tailored workshops addressing challenges specific to community-building organizations
- 1:1 mentorship and coaching with experienced advisors
- Access to a sustained network of cohort peers, mentors, coaches, and industry leaders, facilitated by 92NY
- Ongoing access to an alumni network and resources provided by SEED SPOT
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
- Round 2 Interview Invitations Sent: 16 September 16, 2026
- Interview Period: September 21–30, 2026
- Cohort Notification: By October 30, 2026
- Info Session: August 4, 2026, 12:00 PM ET
Location
New York City, United States
Additional Details
- Applicants are encouraged to review the full UpTide program description and preview the application questions in advance of applying
- An optional info session is available on August 4 at 12 PM ET, and applicants can schedule a call with Miranda Williamson, Director of Recruitment, to discuss program fit
- The full schedule of accelerator sessions is available via a linked resource