The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Capacity Building Grant Program. Applications open February 4, 2026. This grant program strengthens the District’s technical assistance ecosystem by supporting providers that deliver high-quality training and back-office services to participants in We Aspire, Dream Accelerator, and District Capitalized.
Program Purpose
The FY 2026 Capacity Building Grant Program was created to:
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Strengthen the ecosystem of District-based businesses that deliver technical assistance
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Identify providers to deliver targeted business development training and back-office services to participants in DSLBD programs (We Aspire, Dream Accelerator, and District Capitalized)
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Increase access to expertise and enhanced business development opportunities for program participants
Funding Available
DSLBD intends to award grants to programmatic providers, with a total of $479,835.00 available in FY 2026.
Period of Performance
The FY26 grant period will begin on or around execution of the grant agreement and will end September 30, 2026.
How to Apply
All applicants must:
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Register in the District Enterprise System (DES)
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Submit the full application in DES, including all required documents and attestations
Applications will not be accepted if submitted outside DES or after the program deadline.
Deadline
The application deadline is March 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM (ET).
