FY23 Business Funding Opportunities
Various existing and new grant programs and procurement opportunities for DC businesses will be available through the DMPED cluster in fiscal year 2023. See below for the calendar and program descriptions. Program details and updates will be added here as they become available.
Vitality Fund (DMPED)
The Vitality Fund is a new tool that will enhance DC’s competitiveness in attracting new, high-growth companies to the District by providing grants to employers with 25 or more employees that commit to locating in the District of Columbia, with a preference in the Vitality Fund Target Area, and commit to hiring and contracting locally.
View more information about the Vitality Fund.
STATUS: OPEN
Creative and open space modernization grANT (DMPED)
The Creative and Open Space Modernization (COSM) tax rebate is an incentive program designed to support the growth of large technology companies in the District. The tax rebate can support large scale capital investments in a company’s business location. COSM is available to qualifying high-technology companies that commit to a lease of at least 50,000 square feet for a minimum of 12 years.
STATUS: OPEN
Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund (DMPED)
The Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund will support businesses eligible to be equity impact enterprises (EIE) with training and investment in the form of revenue or equity-based financing. An equity impact enterprise is a resident-owned, small business that it is at least 51% owned by an individual who is, or a majority number of individuals who are economically disadvantaged or have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias.
View more information and apply here.
STATUS: OPEN
Opened: September 12, 2022 8:00 AM EST
Closing: January 31, 2023 11:59 PM EST
Special event relief fund (DMPED)
Mayor Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) launched the Special Event Fee Relief Fund, a $1.5 million investment to support events that celebrate the culture of the District of Columbia and support local communities. The Special Event Relief Fund allows organizers of festivals and outdoor special events to apply for financial assistance to cover event expenses. More information is here.
Opening: October 7, 2022 12:00 PM EST
The Bridge Fund 3.0 (DMPED)
Many small businesses are still recovering from economic injury experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bridge Fund will provide financial relief to small businesses and sole proprietors in the retail, restaurant, and entertainment sectors that earned $5 million or less and experienced revenue losses or significant costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will prioritize businesses that have not received prior relief funds.
STATUS: OPEN
Opening: November 28, 2022, 12:00 PM ET Apply here
Closing: January 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM ET
Sign up for an Information Session:
Program Guidance
CHERRY BLOSSUM BUS TOUR Marketing (DMPED)
DMPED will contract with a communications/marketing company to develop a marketing campaign and bus tour to promote the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Opening: RFP in Fall 2022
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION FUND (DMPED)
The Commercial Property Acquisition Fund will provide eligible businesses with down payment assistance of up to $750,000 or 25% of the sale price, whichever is less, for the acquisition of commercial property in the District. This year, businesses will need to complete three mandatory sessions in order to apply for the Fund.
STATUS: Open now on a rolling basis until funds are expended.
Prior to applying for the CPAF grant, a mandatory three-part training program must be completed. To have access to the three-training program, please click here. After submitting your training form, please apply here.
Program Guidance:
For all inquiries related to the Commercial Property Acquisition Fund, contact: CPAF@cfenterprises.org
Nourish Dc collaborative (DMPED & OP)
The Nourish DC Collaborative supports the development of a robust ecosystem of locally-owned small food businesses in communities in the District. Nourish DC Collaborative provides flexible loans, catalytic grants, and targeted technical assistance to emerging and existing locally-owned small food businesses in the District of Columbia, with a preference for businesses located in and owned by residents of neighborhoods identified as having high rates of food insecurity, unemployment and poverty, and/or lower life expectancy.
For more information and to apply visit www.capitalimpact.org/nourishdc.
STATUS: OPEN
Opened: October 26, 2022
Closing: November 20, 2022
food access fund (DMPED)
The Food Access Fund will increase equitable access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food by securing grocery stores and restaurants, fast casual restaurants, and other food access points in areas with low food access, with a focus on Wards 7 and 8.
STATUS: OPEN
Opened: December 12, 2022
Application Closes: January 13, 2023 at 5:00 pm ET
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) click here to view.
Round 4 Award: DMPED will award up to a maximum of $10,688,513 in grants to successful grantees under this program.
Information Session:
A web information session was hosted by DMPED on Monday, December 19, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET.
Information Session Recording – Check here
Information Session Presentation – Check here
Frequently Asked Questions – Check here
Request for Application (RFA) - Click here to view
Release Date: December 12, 2022
Application Closes: January 13, 2023 at 5:00 pm ET
Please click here to start your application on the GrantVantage website.
Neighborhood prosperity Fund (DMPED)
Neighborhood Prosperity Fund (NPF) incentivizes community development, economic growth, and job creation by leveraging local funds to provide gap financing for projects that attract private investment to distressed communities. Grant funds support architectural and engineering costs, construction costs, tenant improvements, historical preservation building improvements to maintain compliance with applicable laws, development analysis, rent abatement and/or tenant concessions for up to 3 years to stabilize market rent.
Opening: Winter 2023
Locally made manufacturing grant (DMPED)
The Locally Made Manufacturing Grant program supports local businesses that are located in a Great Streets corridor that engage in light manufacturing by providing funding for capital or tenant improvements of commercial property with a designated industrial use. This grant is intended to grow the District’s local business economy, bolster manufacturing, and strengthen supply chains within the city.
Opening: Winter 2023
Great streets retail small business grants (DMPED)
Great Streets is the District’s commercial revitalization initiative designed to support existing small businesses, attract new businesses, increase the District’s tax base, create new job opportunities for District Residents, and transform 13 emerging corridors into thriving and inviting neighborhood centers. Learn more at greatstreets.dc.gov.
Opening: Winter 2023
DC family fun destinations (DMPED)
This new grant program will support the creation or enhancement of family-friendly attractions, with a focus on the downtown area.
Opening: Winter 2023
Point of Contact for DMPED business grant applications:
DMPED Grants Team
Phone: (202) 727-6365
Email: dmped.grants@dc.gov
CBE Green Grant (DSLBD)
The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that it will begin soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year 2023 CBE Green Equitable Back Office and Marketing Services (CBE Green) Grants starting October 19, 2022. The CBE Green grants are for DSLBD Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) to provide direct support to small, resident-owned, and disadvantaged CBEs pursuing contracting opportunities with and similar to DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) opportunities. DSBLD seeks proposals from CBEs to provide market research, marketing, and back-office (business operations) support to help CBEs achieve success with green energy contracts.
View more information and apply here.
STATUS: CLOSED
Opened: October 19, 2022 8:00 AM EST
Closing: December 2, 2022 2:00 PM EST
ASPIRE (DSLBD)
This program awards grants to returning citizen entrepreneurs to start or maintain a business.
Opening: Fall 2022
FOOD WASTE INNOVATION grant(DSLBD)
The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will be soliciting applications for the FY23 Food Waste Innovation Grants starting on October 24, 2022. These grants will provide support for restaurants, food manufacturers, shared commercial kitchens, and commercial corridors like Main Streets and Business Improvement Districts to minimize their food waste going to landfill and minimize urban rat populations. This will help businesses meet the goals of Sustainable DC and the future requirements of the Zero Waste Omnibus Act while reducing costs in both food purchasing and waste disposal expenses. Eligible applicants are food businesses that are appropriately licensed and with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Nonprofits are also eligible when providing direct support for multiple eligible businesses.
DSLBD intends to award between 10 and 25 grants from the $300,000 available for direct grants.
View more information and apply here.
STATUS: OPEN
Opened: October 24, 2022 8:00 AM EST
Closing: December 22, 2022 2:00 PM EST
DREAM PITCH (DSLBD)
This program awards micro-grants to eligible businesses located East of the River (Wards 7 & 8).
Opening: Winter 2023
ROBUST RETAIL GRANTS (DSLBD)
The 2023 Robust Retail Citywide grant(s) support existing DC-based retail businesses in maintaining operations and viability during the current small business crisis.
Opening: Winter 2023
EQUITY IMPACT ENTERPRISE GRANTS (DSLBD)
This program supports eligible resident-owned small and economically disadvantaged certified business enterprises (CBEs).
Opening: Winter 2023
CANNABUSINESS ASSISTANCE (DSLBD)
This program will support District residents, particularly returning citizens and veterans, with start-up entrepreneurial resources to enter high barrier-to-entry cannabis industry.
Opening: TBD
NEW YORK AVENUE INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYSIS RFP (OP)
OP will develop a report to identify infrastructure and facility improvements needed to accommodate new housing along New York Ave NE.
Opening: Fall 2022
NORTH CAPITAL CROSSROADS VISION RFP (OP)
OP will develop a North Capitol Crossroads Vision, to include urban design, three-dimensional visualizations, public urban connectivity, land use economics, an economic development strategy, equitable urban planning, and public engagement.
Opening: Fall 2022
FOGGY BOTTOM/WEST END PUBLIC LIFE STUDY RFP (OP)
OP will develop a Foggy Bottom/West End Public Life Study, to include a mobility analysis and community engagement.
Opening: Fall 2022
NANNIE HELEN BURROUGHS CORRIDOR STUDY RFP (OP)
OP will develop a Nannie Helen Burroughs study in Ward 7, to include a public life study, design guidelines, and public space activations.
Opening: Fall 2022
IVY CITY SMALL AREA PLAN RFP (OP)
OP will develop a Small Area Plan in Ivy City, to include a public life study, community engagement, a quality of life assessment, and development of public realm design guidelines.
Opening: Fall 2022
COMMEMORATIVE WORKS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RFP (OP)
OP will administer a Commemorative Works Technical Assistance Program for commemoration in the District, to provide design services to District communities, Main Street Organizations, and/or individuals in support of new commemorative works in Wards 4, 5, 7, and 8. OP’s assistance will focus on commemorative works that recognize and honor notable Black Washingtonians, other leaders of color, or events important to BIPOC communities.
Opening: Fall 2022
CENTRAL PROCESSING SITING AND FEASIBILITY STUDY RFP (OP)
OP will develop a study on the feasibility and siting of a centralized food processing facility in Washington, DC.
Opening: Fall 2022
STREETS FOR PEOPLE (OP)
Streets for People will provide grants to Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to activate public spaces in the Central Washington area. The program aims to catalyze economic recovery and support local businesses by attracting workers, residents, and visitors to a vibrant area of activated blocks, sidewalks, streets, and parks.
Opening: Winter 2023
Facilities and buildings grant program (cah)
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) requests applications from qualified arts and humanities organizations for its Fiscal Year 2023 Facilities and Buildings: Mortgage and Rent Relief (FAB-R) grant. Eligible organizations may request up to $30,000, depending upon allowable expenses. The number and amounts of grant awards are subject to CAH’s availability of funds.
STATUS: OPEN
Opened: November 29, 2022
Closing: December 20, 2022 10:00 PM EST
Download and view application materials here.
Live Chats and Workshops
CAH staff members are available to help develop grant applications through group and individual technical assistance. CAH conducts free workshops and live chats for participants to learn about the funding opportunities and how to submit an application.
Prospective applicants should read through this Request for Applications (RFA) in its entirety before submitting an application.
For assistance please contact Kevin Hasser at kevin.hasser@dc.gov.
FY23 Color the Curb - School Safety Program (CAH & DDOT)
The District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), in partnership with the District of Department of Transportation (DDOT), and District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), seeks District-based artists experienced in large-scale exterior murals, youth engagement, and community-based projects to design and install ground murals in the intersections near four schools in Washington, DC. Selected artists will be awarded grant funds to be used for design, materials, fabrication, installation, personnel, and project management.
RFQ Release: Friday, November 4, 2022
Submission Deadline: Friday, December 2, 2022 (4:00 PM ET)
Notification of Award: On or about Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Number of Awards: Four
Award Amount: $30,000
Prospective applicants should read through this Request for Applications (RFA) in its entirety prior to applying.
Project Manager Staff Contact:
Deirdre Darden, Public Art Coordinator: deirdre.darden@dc.gov