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2026 Robust Retail Grant Program

Application

ABOUT ROBUST RETAIL GRANT PROGRAM

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for the 2026 Robust Retail Grant Program, the last day to apply is January 20, 2026, by 5pm.

A robust retail sector is critical to maintaining the vibrancy of DC neighborhoods, but retail businesses are still under threat of business decline and closure due to the market realities of the past years. In response to these market conditions, the Department of Small and Local Business Development (“DSLBD” or “Department”) designed the Robust Retail Grant Program to assist existing DC-based retail businesses with the maintenance of business operations and viability during the continuing small business crisis. 

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Robust Retail Grant Program is open to all retail businesses in the District:

2026 Robust Retail: Citywide Grant Program 
 
  • DSLBD intends to award up to $10,000 per business to 50 businesses from the total $500,000 in available funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Businesses may be located anywhere in the District. Businesses that received a Robust Retail Citywide Award in FY 2025 are not eligible to apply. 
  • Only  for-profit, consumer-facing, small, and independent retail businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees (FTEs), with a  D.C. licensed retail location will be considered. Review the Request for Applications on DSLBD’s website for more information, including eligible business types.   
  • Home-based, online-only, non-profit organizations  and ghost kitchens are not eligible for this grant opportunity.
  • Applicants must be compliant with the Office of Tax & Revenue’s Clean Hands requirements and be properly licensed as a retail business in the District. 


See the entire REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS available for download on the DSLBD website at https://dslbd.dc.gov/robustretailgrant.

Applicants are encouraged to read the REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS entirely before applying.

HOW TO USE THIS APPLICATION SYSTEM

The Alchemer system is a survey application system DSLBD is using to collect applications for the 2026 Robust Retail Grant Program.


Save and Continue
You have the ability to Save and Continue your survey starting from the second page onward by clicking the button at the top right of your screen. 
When saving, you will be asked for an email address - please use an email address that you have regular access to so you don't lose the survey link!
 
Submitting multiple applications. 
Only one (1) application per licensed business location will be considered. For applicants who submit more than one (1) eligibility application for the same location, only the latest submitted application for that location will be reviewed and considered.

Businesses with more than one (1) licensed location in the District may submit a unique application for each licensed location to be entered into the lottery. In the event that multiple businesses with the same owner are selected via the lottery, only one (1) may be awarded a grant.

After submitting an application, it will be locked. If you need to make corrections, please submit a new application. Only the most recent application will be approved.
 
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROBUST RETAIL GRANT PROGRAM

Per the Request for Applications for the 2026 Robust Retail Grant Program, applicants must ask a question during an information session or in writing to DC.MAINSTREETS@dc.gov. Applicants can register for information sessions at Robust Retail Grant Program.

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