The Department of Small and Local Business Development is excited to announce that it will begin accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant Program (referred to as "Ward8CIF") starting on July 17, 2025. The Ward 8CIF Grant Program is an initiative by DSLBD aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business in Ward 8. It provides funding opportunities that support equitable access to capital and promote sustainable business growth and long-term success, specifically for businesses in Ward 8 that are operated by residents of Ward 8 in DC.

DSLBD plans to award up to 86 grants, each worth up to $10,000, from the total available funding of $430,000 for FY25. All business expenses reimbursed by the FY25 Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant must have been incurred between January 1, 2025, and July 17, 2025. In addition, FY25 Ward 8 CIF grant recipients will be expected to comply with reporting requirements ending on or around September 30, 2025. 

DEADLINE: August 18, 2025, 2:00 PM ET

For more details, please read the Request For Application

DSLBD will offer several opportunities for prospective applicants to receive guidance about the grant program, application process, and receipt submission, as described in the table below: 

July 21 at 11 AM https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/ae323aee-ad72-43e7-9568-38452f8bf374@8fe449f1-8b94-4fb7-9906-6f939da82d73

July 23 at 10 AM https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/9dff62a8-d522-498c-af85-2276ebd8d802@8fe449f1-8b94-4fb7-9906-6f939da82d73

July 29 at 5:30 PM https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/f1219f76-964d-4478-b5e1-8cca93c253c6@8fe449f1-8b94-4fb7-9906-6f939da82d73