DC Robust Retail Citywide Grant
DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
Up to $10,000
DC pays $10K toward your retail operating costs
DSLBD's Robust Retail Citywide Grant reimburses DC brick-and-mortar retail businesses up to $10,000 for eligible operating and improvement expenses. Available to licensed DC small businesses in good standing — restaurants, cafés, salons, fitness studios, markets, bookstores, and neighborhood service providers. Awarded via lottery to eligible applicants. Annual cycle (FY2026 award round closed January 2026); next cycle expected FY2027. Prior-year recipients (FY2025) not eligible.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $1,000 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- All lottery winners receive close to the $10,000 maximum — the program is designed to award a consistent amount per busi…
- Deadline
- Annual cycle. FY2026 deadline: January 20, 2026. Next cycle expected FY2027 (October 2026 start).
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- DC
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Licensed, brick-and-mortar storefront business operating in the District of Columbia
- In good standing with DC government (business license current, tax compliant)
- Small business as defined by DSLBD
- Did NOT receive a Robust Retail Citywide grant in FY2025
- Expenses to be reimbursed must have been incurred between October 1 and January 20 (per FY2026 cycle)
Hard requirements
- Location restriction: Washington DC — licensed brick-and-mortar storefront
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Storefront and interior improvements
- Equipment and technology upgrades
- Inventory support
- Marketing and branding
- E-commerce enhancements
- Operational improvements
- Business expansion-related costs
Ineligible expenses
- Personal expenses
- Expenses incurred outside the covered program period
- Expenses by businesses not licensed and operating in DC
- Expenses for businesses that received the grant in the prior fiscal year
How to apply
-
1
Confirm eligibility: DC license, good standing, no prior-year award
Verify your DC business license is active, you're in good standing with DC agencies, and you did not receive the Robust Retail grant in the prior fiscal year.
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2
Incur eligible expenses during the covered period
Keep receipts for eligible business expenses incurred during the program's covered period (typically October 1 through the application deadline). Retain all invoices and proof of payment.
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3
Submit application through the DSLBD Grantee Portal before the deadline
Complete the application at dcdslbd.my.site.com/dcgranteeportal/s/ before the annual deadline (January 20 for FY2026). Attach all required documentation: receipts, business license, and DC registration.
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4
Lottery selection and reimbursement
DSLBD conducts a lottery among all eligible applicants. Winners receive up to $10,000 in reimbursement for documented eligible expenses. Expect notification and payment within 60–90 days of the lottery.
Awards are by lottery — all eligible applicants have equal odds. File early so technical errors don't disqualify you before the deadline. Track all receipts from October 1 forward.
Deadline & timing
FY2026 cycle closed January 20, 2026. FY2025 recipients are not eligible for FY2026. Next annual cycle expected to open in fall 2026 for FY2027.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.