The Department of Small and Local Business Development is excited to announce that it will begin accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant Program (referred to as "Ward8CIF") starting on May 28, 2026, at 2:00 pm (ET).

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 operating businesses in Ward 8 in DC.

DSLBD plans to award approximately forty-eight (48) grants from the total available funding of $430,000 for FY26.  All business expenses reimbursed by the FY26 Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant must have been incurred between October 1, 2025, and June 29, 2026. More information about each grant opportunity is listed below:

Ward8CIF 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.

DEADLINE: June 29, 2026, 2:00 PM ET

For more details and to apply, please read the Request for Application

DSLBD will offer several opportunities for prospective applicants to receive guidance on the grant program, the application process, and submission of receipts.

Program Information Sessions (optional but recommended):

June 4, 2026, at 3:00 pm ET (virtual)

June 11, 2026, at 10:00 am ET (virtual)

June 18, 2026, at 1:00 pm ET (virtual)

 

Visit DSLBD Eventbrite to register for program information sessions, application prep drop-in hours, and receipt submission training sessions. 

 

*If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact the ADA coordinator, Jenny Cruz, at [email protected].