DSLBD's WARD 8 COMMUNITY INVESTEMENT FUND INITIATIVE (Ward 8 CIF)
The Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Grant Program is an initiative of the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DLSBD) created to enhance the ease of doing business in the District and offer funding opportunities that support equitable access to capital, sustainable business growth and long-term success, specifically to Ward 8-based business.
DSLBD's Ward 8 CIF BACK OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES (Ward 8 CIF BOSS)
DSLBD’s Ward 8 Community Investment Fund Back Office Support Services (Ward 8 CIF BOSS) are services that DLSBD is offering to help owners of Ward 8-based businesses build their business' financial management skills through FREE classes, consultations and e-courses with business financial advisory experts. DSLBD will offer these in-person and virtual services February - June 2026.
Service Formats & Topics: DSLBD’s Ward 8 CIF BOSS offers financial advisory services by experts on a variety topics via three formats:
- Classes (instructor-led; in-person and virtual)
- Consultations (one-on-one and small group guidance)
- e-Courses (online, self-paced)
Financial management topics include:
- Financial Foundations (budget creation, bookkeeping, financial jargon)
- Financial Processes & Routines
- Business Taxes & Reporting
- Business Strategy (Using Business Plan to Create a Funding Strategy)
- Financial Systems (Excel, QuickBooks, other app, and how to set up and use)
- Working with Contractors (Invoice creation, Contract financial components, 1099 filing)
- Financial Analysis & Storytelling (Projections, Telling Business Story with Numbers)
Who May Sign Up: Owners of Ward 8-based businesses (active incorporation as a for-profit entity) that have an active business license at a Ward 8 address. After completing this client request survey, DSLBD will verify a person’s eligibility (1-3 business days) and then email eligible Ward 8 business owners the links to register for free Ward 8 CIF BOSS services.
How to Sign Up: Complete and submit this client request survey. In this survey, you'll be asked about the following.
Be sure to gather the related
data and documents needed to complete this client request form.
- Your Business -- DLCP corporation file number, and business license number
- Owner -- proof of identity (active license or ID card issued by a local government or an active Passport issued by federal government)
- Back Office Topics of Interest
- Preference poll for service Time of Day and Learning Format
- Your prior experience (if any) with Financial Management Tools e.g., Excel or QuickBooks (not a requirement)
- Your Business Plan (if completed) in any format. Don't have one? No worries. We can provide free resources to help you create one.
Tips on Using this Online Form:Returning to Previous Page - Use the BACK button at the bottom of the form to return to a previous page. Do NOT use the browser back button (upper left corner).
Need to pause? Use Save and Return - You may leave and return to the same application record if needed. Click the
Save and Continue button at the top of the screen and provide email to receive an application access link.
To Get Started, scroll past the Language Access image and click NEXT