Money and programs you may qualify for, for students, parents, and business owners across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Tell us a little and we narrow it to you, then apply on the official source.
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Tell her your situation and she pulls a few you may qualify for, with the official link to apply.
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Community fit15 opportunities, including returning
Hide returning/closed$1.4 million fund supporting eligible festivals and outdoor special events
Organizers of qualifying events celebrating DC culture, supporting communities and generating economic impact
Deadline: September 1, 2026
Up to $500,000
Eligible DC-based businesses seeking to acquire and owner-occupy commercial property; intended occupancy at least 7 years
Up to $1,000
Business must be at least 51% women-owned, registered in the U.S., and have less than $1 million in gross revenue; focused on under-resourced women including women of color
Up to $4,000
NASE member meeting program requirements; grants support hiring, marketing, equipment, software and other business-growth needs
Up to $50,000
Business located within or along border of an eligible Great Streets corridor and in good standing with relevant DC/federal agencies
Recurring / verify current cycle
Up to $1,500
DC residents who are returning citizens and/or justice-involved, do not hold an active DC basic business license, and are in business concept/ideation stage
2026 intake / verify current capacity
Competitive R&D funding; amounts vary by agency/program
Small businesses meeting individual federal program requirements
Recurring / verify cycle
Multiple grants; FY26 aggregate funding up to $1,000,000, award size varies
Occupy/intend to occupy DC commercial space; at least 5 employees; create at least 5 new jobs over two years; high-growth sectors preferred
Closed / expected recurring cycle
Grant funding for projects that strengthen DC's technology ecosystem
Eligible projects support creation, incubation, acceleration, relocation or growth of DC technology companies
Closed / expected annual or successor cycle
Up to $50,000
Brick-and-mortar DC restaurants and retailers meeting program loss and eligibility rules; preference noted for businesses with >10% 2025 revenue loss
Closed / historical cycle
Short-term relief for documented operating costs impacted by construction
Small businesses impacted by specified DDOT construction near Pennsylvania Ave SE, Potomac Ave SE and 8th St SE corridor
Closed / expected successor monitoring
FY26 program pool up to $125,000; awards may recur annually up to five years subject to funding/certification
Small businesses with or signing a lease of at least five years in Chinatown and maintaining/enhancing neighborhood cultural heritage
Closed / expected successor monitoring
Up to $250,000
For-profit or nonprofit organization with experience supporting international entrepreneurs/startups; physical DC presence or plan to establish one
Closed / expected successor monitoring
Program pool up to $350,000 total
Qualified small businesses with/signing qualifying long-term leases in Rhode Island Avenue corridor and offering community/foot-traffic benefits
Closed / historical cycle
Multi-year performance-based incentive; award varies by project
Company relocating to or expanding in DC; preference for substantial commercial-space commitment and job creation
Closed / expected recurring cycle
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