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Department of Small and Local Business Development
 

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Current Funding Opportunities

All Things Green Grants

The District of Columbia (DC or District) Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD or the Department) is excited to announce that it will begin soliciting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 CBE All Things Green Grants, beginning January 22, 2024

The CBE All Things Green Grants are awarded for directly supporting small, resident-owned, and disadvantaged CBEs pursuing DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) contracting opportunities or opportunities with similar “green” or environmentally sustainable goals. DSLBD seeks

A. CBEs to provide direct marketing and direct back-office services (technical proposal development and cost estimation for proposals) and training on areas that would strengthen CBE preparedness and competitiveness for green energy-related procurement opportunities. 

B. One (1) CBE to conduct a four-week cohort-based training program for other CBEs that are registered with DSLBD as small, resident-owned, or disadvantaged. 

C. Five (5) CBEs, by way of a lottery for CBEs, that are registered with DSLBD as small, resident-owned, or disadvantaged. The CBEs that are awarded under this category will use grant funds under the allowed maintain business operation and viability in order to pursue opportunities with DCSEU or other green contracts. 

D. An event planner to coordinate the CBE Green Industry Rally Day. CBE Green Industry Rally Day is an annual event for CBEs to learn more about DOEE and DCSEU green building and energy initiatives. The event will offer matchmaking sessions with DCSEU for contracting and networking opportunities. 

CBE Green is a DSLBD initiative that was created to promote and support the involvement of CBEs in the expanding green and environmentally sustainable energy and buildings market. In partnership with DC’s Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE), DSLBD is supporting CBEs through additional training opportunities. 

GRANTS AVAILABLE: 

The CBE Green Contract Services Grants: DSLBD intends to award up to six (6) grants at a maximum of $50,000 per grant from $300,000 in available funding for FY24. These grant awards will cover a mix of marketing and back-office services for at least 30 CBEs, each pursuing green energy procurement opportunities. 

The CBE Green Pitch Grant: DSLBD intends to award one (1) grant of $50,000 to one (1) recipient and grants between $2,000 and $10,000 to a maximum of ten (10) CBE Green Pitch participants from $125,000 of total funding for FY24. 

The CBE Green Business Support Lottery Grants: DSLBD intends to award up to $10,000 per grant to approximately five (5) CBEs, by way of a lottery for CBEs, that are registered with DSLBD as small, resident-owned, or disadvantaged. 

The CBE Green Event Grant: DSLBD intends to award up to $25,000 to one (1) CBE. DSLBD is seeking an event planner to coordinate the CBE Green Industry Rally Day. 

For more information, CLICK HERE

DEADLINE: The application submission deadline is Friday, February 16, 2024, at 2:00 pm EST. 

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY  FOR FY2024 ALL THINGS GREEN GRANTS

REQUEST FOR APPLICATION FOR FY2024 ALL THINGS GREEN GRANTS


2024 Dream Pitch Program

The Dream Pitch Program is an 8-week cohort-based training program for microbusinesses in Ward 7 and 8, culminating in the Dream Pitch Competition. The Dream Pitch Competition is an opportunity for participants to pitch their business to a panel of judges, showcasing the knowledge gained through the program resulting in a pitch award between $2000 to $7500.

Application Period: January 26, 2024, through March 1, 2024.  To determine eligibility and before applying for the program, please review the Official Application Instructions. (Application link inside official rules)

For more information, CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW Dream Pitch 2024 APPLICATION OFFICIAL RULES


2024 WeAspire Incubator Program

The 2024 Aspire Incubator Program will support 20 DC residents who are returning citizens or justice-impacted individuals looking to start or grow a business. Participants in the Aspire Incubator Program will benefit from a community of support and up to $5,000 in stipends for successfully completing various business development milestones, covering planning, regulatory compliance, finance, and public speaking.

Final deadline: The final deadline is March 1, 2024, at 2 pm EST. No applications will be accepted after this deadline. No exceptions.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW WeAspire 2024 Official Instructions


 GRANT DEBRIEF AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES FOR APPLICANTS 

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