The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will accept applications for the FY 2026 Robust Retail Citywide Grants.
The FY 2026 Robust Retail Citywide grant(s) support existing DC-based retail businesses in maintaining operations and viability. DSLBD intends to award up to $10,000 per business to approximately 48 businesses from the $480,000 in available Fiscal Year 2026 funding.
This grant will be operated as a reimbursement grant, awarded via lottery to DC retail businesses that meet all eligibility requirements by the final deadline. Businesses that received a Robust Retail Citywide award in FY2025 are not eligible to apply.
Who Can Apply?
To meet eligibility for the Citywide grant program, the applicant must be:
- A District-based retail business;
- A licensed for-profit public-facing seller of legal goods and services;
- Physically located in a brick-and-mortar commercial retail space in the District;
- An eligible business type as listed in Appendix A of this RFA;
- Not among the ineligible business types as listed in Appendix A of this RFA; and
Provide all required documents and attestations listed in the checklist provided in the RFA.
How Do I Apply?
All instructions are included in the formal “Request for Applications” (RFA). Applicants are encouraged to read the full Request for Applications. Applications will only be accepted through the online application system listed in the Request for Applications (RFA) on DSLBD’s website.
- Info Session - Wed. 12/3/25 - 1:00PM - 2:00PM
- Office Hour - Tues. 12/9/25 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Info. Session - Tues. 1/6/26 - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Office Hour - Tues. 1/13/26 - 1:00 PM- 2:00 PM
Questions?
For any inquiries, please direct your questions to [email protected]. We kindly ask that you refrain from calling, as we do not address inquiries over the phone.
Final Deadline?
The final day to submit your application is January 20, 2026, by 5 PM.
