FY25 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 2025. See below for the calendar and program descriptions. Program details and updates will be added here as they become available.
DC Venture Capital fund program (DMPED)
The DC Venture Capital Fund represents a transformative commitment to DC-based businesses by leveraging public dollars to attract private investment. For every dollar the District invests, private investors are required to contribute at least an equal amount, effectively doubling the total funding available to DC startups to a minimum of $52 million.
The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development (DMPED) selected K Street Capital as the Program Administrator for the DC Venture Capital Fund. Leveraging their extensive investment experience and deep ties to the local community, K Street Capital will oversee the deployment of SSBCI dollars to by contracting with local and regional venture capital firms. These firms will work directly with DC-based startups to establish funding deals, ranging from $250,000 to $5,00,000. DMPED will provide oversight and management of KSC’s administration of the program.
The fund utilizes State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding, provided to the District by the U.S. Treasury Department. SSBCI, created in 2010 and renewed as a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, is a federal program designed to drive business growth in states and jurisdictions across the country.
Interested investors, fund managers, and venture capital firms, are encouraged to reach out to K Street Capital and DMPED to learn more about the program. The DC Venture Capital Program is now accepting applications for fund managers
STATUS: OPEN
Washington DC SSBCI Venture Capital Program Application
Vitality Fund (DMPED)
The Vitality Fund is a multi-year. performance-based grant program designed to 1) incentivize the relocation to, or expansion of companies who plan to occupy commercial office space in the District, with a preference for attraction to, or retention and expansion in the central business district (the “Vitality Fund Target Area”), and to 2) encourage job creation and investment in DC.
View more information and apply here.
STATUS: OPEN
RFA Release Date: December 13, 2024
Submission Deadline: July 31, 2025
2025 Ward 8 Community Investemnt fund Grant Program (Ward 8 CIF) (DSLBD)
The Department of Small and Local Business Development is excited to announce that it is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant Program (referred to as "Ward8CIF"). The Ward 8CIF Grant Program is an initiative by DSLBD aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business in Ward 8. It provides funding opportunities that support equitable access to capital and promote sustainable business growth and long-term success, specifically for businesses in Ward 8 that are operated by residents of Ward 8 in DC.
DSLBD plans to award up to 86 grants, each worth up to $10,000, from the total available funding of $430,000 for FY25. All business expenses reimbursed by the FY25 Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant must have been incurred between January 1, 2025, and July 17, 2025. In addition, FY25 Ward 8 CIF grant recipients will be expected to comply with reporting requirements ending on or around September 30, 2025.
View more information and apply here.
STATUS: OPEN
Opened: June 17, 2025
Submission Deadline: August 18, 2025, at 2PM EST
Growth Fund
The Growth Fund focuses on providing grants to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses that commit to establish or expand their presence in the District of Columbia by occupying commercial office space, including coworking space, and creating jobs in the District. This program is intended to attract, grow and retain growth-stage startups in Washington, DC. Additional program information and preferences can be found here.
STATUS: CLOSED
Opened: June 6, 2025 at 4PM EST
Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025, at 4PM EST
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION FUND
The Commercial Property Acquisition Fund provides eligible businesses with down payment assistance of up to $500,000 or 25% of the sale price, whichever is less, for the acquisition of commercial property in the District. Businesses must be eligible to be an equity impact enterprise. 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. Businesses must also complete a mandatory training program in order to apply for the Fund. DMPED is partnering with City First Enterprises to administer the Commercial Property Acquisition Fund. For all inquiries related to the Fund, contact: CPAF@cfenterprises.org
STATUS: CLOSED
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Chinatown lease incentive grant program
The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to support small businesses that (i) sign long-term leases of at least five years in the Chinatown neighborhood in the District of Columbia (“District”) and (ii) maintain or enhance the cultural heritage of the neighborhood. The Program will provide up to $125,000 in total grant funding in FY25 to eligible businesses to offset the costs of rent. Successful applicants may receive the awarded amount annually for a total of up to five years, subject to the availability of funds and annual certification that the awardee remains in the lease agreement outlined in the RFA.
STATUS: CLOSED
Opened: March 28, 2025
Closing: June 13, 2025 at 4:00pm EDT
FY25 Chinatown Lease Incentive Grant Program RFA
FY25 Chinatown Lease Incentive Grant Program - Information Session
FY25 Chinatown Lease Incentive Grant Program - Information Session recording
DMPED Contact:
DMPED Grants Team Phone: (202) 727-8111
E-mail: dmped.grants@dc.gov