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Robust Retail Grant

2021 Robust Retail Citywide Grant Application

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we will be accepting applications for the 2021 Robust Retail: Citywide grants starting December 7, 2020 and closing January 28, 2021 at 2 pm eastern. 

DSLBD intends to award up to $7,500 per business to 106 businesses from the total $800,000 in available funding for Fiscal Year 2021.
  • This grant will be operated as a reimbursement grant, awarded via lottery, open to DC retail businesses that have met all eligibility requirements by the final deadline. 
  • Awarded businesses will be required to provide proof of $7500 business expenses from July 1, 2020 through January 28, 2021 during times the business was covered by general liability insurance.
Only for-profit, consumer-facing, small retail businesses that are open and operating with 25 or fewer employees and a licensed location in DC are eligible for Robust Retail Citywide Grants. Home-based and non-profit businesses are not eligible for this grant opportunity. 

You will need to gather the following to complete your application:
  1. Contact information for the business owner
  2. Business Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN)
  3. Office of Tax & Revenue issued Clean Hands Certificate from MyTax.DC.Gov for the business dated July 1, 2020 or later
  4. DC-issued basic business license number for the business, searchable in DCRA's database, or a copy of an alternative license (barbershops, salons, childcare)
  5. Business General Liability Insurance Certificate(s) for the period of July 1, 2020-January 28, 2021
  6. A completed 2018 or later IRS W9 form for the business

Key Application Details:
  • Applications that are submitted prior to January 8, 2021 will receive a courtesy eligibility review on a rolling basis.
  • To correct an application, submit a new application and older submissions from the same applicant will be automatically rejected.
  • Full, legal instructions on the application and process are available on DSLBD's website.
Questions? Email the Innovation & Equitable Development Division at Inno.ED@dc.gov. No calls will be accepted.

The final deadline to apply to January 28, 2021 at 2 pm eastern. No exceptions.
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