District of Columbia Business and Commerce Grants

This grant provides financial support to small businesses and startups that are expanding or establishing operations in Washington, DC, with a focus on job creation and occupancy of commercial office space.

This program provides training and funding opportunities for microbusinesses in Wards 7 and 8 of Washington, DC, helping them develop essential entrepreneurial skills and compete for cash awards.

This program provides financial assistance to small retail businesses in Washington, D.C. to help them maintain operations and thrive amid economic challenges.

This grant provides funding to organizations that support entrepreneurship education and workforce development for youth in Washington, D.C., helping them gain essential business skills and leadership experience.

This program provides financial incentives to businesses relocating to or expanding within Washington, DC, with a focus on job creation, capital investment, and economic growth in key industry sectors.

This grant recognizes and rewards individuals, businesses, and organizations in Washington, D.C. for their innovative contributions to sustainability, focusing on environmental, economic, and social equity initiatives.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, to create innovative public humanities projects, such as festivals, exhibitions, and performances, that engage and educate the community.

This grant provides funding for individuals and organizations in Washington, DC, to create projects that celebrate and preserve the culture and heritage of local communities, culminating in a public event to showcase their work.

This funding opportunity supports individuals and organizations in Washington, DC, to document and preserve the oral histories of local residents, focusing on community collaboration and culturally significant themes.

This grant provides funding for DC-based individuals, community groups, and nonprofit organizations to create innovative public programs that showcase existing oral history collections and engage the local community.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven projects in Washington, D.C. that promote environmental education and innovative stormwater management, particularly for small organizations and historically excluded groups.

The 2025 Rec for All Programming Grant, administered by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), seeks to support community-based organizations in delivering inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities for youth in the District of Columbia. This initiative aligns with Mayor Bowser's goals of fostering physical, social, and emotional wellness while promoting skill development and community engagement. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants Management System by January 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST, and late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. The program provides funding of up to $100,000 per award to support the launch or expansion of structured recreational programs. Eligible categories include Cultural Arts (e.g., mural development, theater, and drama therapy), Youth Development (e.g., leadership development and STEM/STEAM education), Environmental Initiatives (e.g., gardening and nutrition), Sports/Athletics (e.g., fitness and e-sports), and Therapeutic Recreation. Programs must deliver at least 120 hours of structured services over a minimum of six weeks to youth aged 6–18. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to provide high-quality programming and align their proposals with DPR’s core values of equity, inclusion, empowerment, community, sustainability, and innovation. Proposals must include a detailed program narrative, participant recruitment strategies, an itemized budget, and proof of the program’s location and accessibility. Grantees are required to comply with reporting, monitoring, and branding requirements set by DPR, including regular updates and data collection. Applications will be evaluated by a review panel based on scoring criteria, including organizational and participant profiles, program description, and budget justification. The total funding pool for FY25 is $2 million, with multiple awards anticipated. Notifications of award decisions will be issued after a thorough review process, and grantees must meet compliance requirements, including background checks and site inspections, before program launch. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend the pre-application meeting on December 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM at DPR Headquarters. For additional information or assistance, contact LaShaun N. Basil at [email protected]. Detailed requirements and application materials are available on the DPR Grants webpage.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community groups in Washington, DC, to create Family Success Centers that help vulnerable families improve their economic stability and access essential resources in underserved neighborhoods.

This grant provides funding for a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. to create a peer-led program that educates and supports youth aged 13-24 in preventing HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancies while promoting health equity.