Restaurant Resilience & Growth Grant

The Restaurant Resilience & Growth Grant is a funding initiative facilitated by the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), an organization that supports underserved communities in the Washington, DC region and Puerto Rico through financial empowerment, small business support, and direct investment programs. The LEDC operates across multiple jurisdictions, including Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Puerto Rico, providing services and programs designed to strengthen economic opportunity and equity. This particular grant opportunity is part of the organization’s broader commitment to direct community investment, targeting a specific subset of local businesses in Ward 6 of Washington, DC. This grant program aims to stabilize and grow food businesses located within three prominent cultural corridors in Ward 6—H Street NE, Eastern Market, and Barracks Row. These areas are known for their diverse and vibrant restaurant scenes, and the grant is designed to preserve the cultural identity and economic vitality they bring to the community. By supporting these small, local food businesses, the LEDC seeks to ensure continuity in employment, cultural expression, and neighborhood development. The grant will provide support to 15 selected food businesses that meet specific eligibility requirements. Businesses must be currently operating and possess a valid and current business license. Eligible food service models include fine dining, casual dining, fast food establishments, buffet-style restaurants, and ghost kitchens, among others. Participation in the program includes a structured five-week cohort curriculum, individualized business coaching, and tailored technical assistance aimed at helping these businesses grow and enhance their resilience in the face of ongoing economic challenges. Upon completion of the cohort program, each participating business will receive a one-time $10,000 grant. These funds are flexible within designated areas and may be used to address safety and compliance needs, marketing and branding efforts, staffing and workforce development, kitchen and facility improvements, digital tool enhancements, and upgrades to outdoor seating and infrastructure. This spending flexibility ensures that businesses can allocate funds based on their most pressing operational and strategic needs. The application window for the Restaurant Resilience & Growth Grant opened on July 17th at 11:00 a.m. and will close on August 4th at 9:00 a.m. Selected grantees will be announced during the first week of August. This timeline is structured to provide rapid support to eligible businesses while maintaining a fair and transparent selection process. There are no indications that this is a recurring grant program or that applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For questions or more information, businesses can reach out to LEDC’s Washington, DC office located at 1401 Columbia Road NW, Unit C-1, Washington, DC 20009. They can also be contacted by phone at 202-540-7400. The website or grant page did not include a specific email address or named grant contact, so applicants are advised to contact the organization directly via phone or visit the office for further assistance. There were no pre-application requirements, Q&A sessions, or application questions specified in the available materials.

This grant represents a significant opportunity for local restaurants to receive financial support and expert guidance to enhance their resilience and growth. By participating in this program, businesses can strengthen their operations and continue to play a vital role in their communities.