Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant Program 

The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that it will begin accepting applications for the FY26 Ward 8 Community Investment Fund (“Ward8CIF”) Grant Program, beginning May 28, 2026, at 2:00 pm ET. 

The Ward8CIF Grant Program is a DSLBD initiative created to increase the ease of doing business in the District. The FY26 Ward8CIF Grant Program will support Ward 8-based businesses by offering funding opportunities that promote equitable access to capital, sustainable business growth, and long-term success. The grant funds will reimburse eligible businesses for expenses incurred to maintain business operations and viability. 

DSLBD intends to award approximately forty-eight (48) grants,1 with a total of $430,000 in available funding for FY26 in two grant opportunities:

Ward 8 CIF BOSS

DSLBD intends to award approximately twenty-five (25) grants up to $8,000 each from $200,000 in available funding to eligible Ward 8-based businesses that have completed the required Back Office Support Session (“BOSS”) training hosted by the DSLBD Innovation and Equitable Development Division (“Inno.ED”). 

Contract and Procurement Ready 

DSLBD intends to award approximately twenty-three (23) grants up to $10,000 each from $230,000 in available funding to active Certified Business Enterprises (“CBE”) based in Ward 8 that have completed a Contract and Procurement training session hosted by the DSLBD Business Development Division. 

The Period of Performance for the FY26 Ward8CIF Grant Program will begin on the effective date of the relevant grant agreement and end on September 30, 2026. 

Deadline

Application Closes on June 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET

Click Here to read the RFA

Click Here to read the NOFA

For more information, CLICK HERE

Please check back soon for future funding opportunities, grant programs, and small business support initiatives. Opportunities are released throughout the year and may become available for eligible DC-based businesses and entrepreneurs.

For the latest updates:

• Visit this page regularly
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• Subscribe to DSLBD communications and newsletters

Thank you for your continued interest in DSLBD programs and resources supporting DC’s small business community across all eight wards.

 GRANT DEBRIEF AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS