The District of Columbia (DC or District) Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD or Department) is excited to announce in this Request for Applications (RFA) that applications will be accepted for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 CBE Green Business Support Lottery Grant program, starting August 14, 2023.
The program’s grants are only for DSLBD Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) who are also deemed Equity Impact Enterprises (EIEs). CBE EIEs that apply and meet all eligibility requirements by the final deadline, August 25, 2023, by 2:00 PM Eastern Time, will be placed in a lottery for a program grant. Businesses that received a CBE Green Equitable Back Office and Marketing Services Grant award in FY 2023 are not eligible to apply.
The grant funds will be a reimbursement to awardees for eligible expenses incurred to maintain business operations and viability while in pursuit of contracting opportunities with the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) company and or similar sustainable industry companies between October 1, 2022, through August 25, 2023. DSLBD intends to award $4,900 each to approximately ten (10) businesses from the total $50,000 in available program funding for FY 2023.
Who can apply?
CBE Green Grants. CBEs who are deemed Equity Impact Enterprises (EIE). Applicants must be compliant with the eligibility requirements detailed in the RFA.
How can the funds be used?
The grant funds may be used to reimburse for expenses the agency deems reasonable to support maintaining business viability between October 1, 2022, and August 25, 2023. Examples of allowable and disallowed uses are detailed in the RFA.
How will awardees be selected?
Grant recipients will be selected through a lottery process. All applications deemed eligible and received by or before the deadline will be entered into the lottery system. The selected grantees will be announced and will enter into a grant agreement with the Director of DSLBD.
How do I apply?
All instructions for applying are included in the RFA and will be available for download or viewing on DSLBD’s website on Monday, 14, 2023
REQUEST FOR APPLICATION FY2023 GREEN BUSINESS SUPPORT LOTTERY
Applicants are encouraged to read the full RFA before completing the application. Questions?
All questions must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. We will begin responding to questions after the grant opens on August 14, 2023.
Final Deadline
The absolute final deadline to apply online is August 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, with no exceptions.
Applications will only be accepted through DSLBD’s online application system listed in the Request for Applications (RFA) on DSLBD’s website, available on August 14, 2023
