The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Capacity Building Grant Program.
Donor Name: Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD)
State: District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/04/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
This grant program is part of DSLBD’s broader commitment to support the growth and sustainability of DC’s small business ecosystem. The Capacity Building Grant is designed to enhance the delivery of technical assistance, strengthen local business support networks, and ensure that underserved entrepreneurs have access to the tools they need to thrive. With a total of $479,835.00 in available funding for FY26. The number of awards and individual grant amounts will be determined based on the strength of the proposals and the anticipated impact of services delivered. Grantees will enter into agreements with DSLBD to deliver direct services, work collaboratively with DSLBD program managers, and report on outcomes throughout the year.
The FY26 Capacity Building Grant Program will:
- Support District-Based Business Service Providers: Grants will be awarded to local businesses and organizations that specialize in delivering high-quality technical assistance. These providers play a critical role in strengthening the infrastructure supporting small-business growth across DC.
- Deliver Targeted Business Development Services: DSLBD is seeking grantees who can offer specialized training, coaching, and back-office support services to participants in three of the agency’s flagship programs:
- They Aspire – for returning citizen entrepreneurs.
- Dream Accelerator – for early-stage business owners seeking to scale.
- District Capitalized – focused on helping small businesses access capital.
- Expand Access to Expertise: Through this initiative, DSLBD aims to increase the number of professional services available to program participants—helping businesses gain strategic guidance, financial literacy, legal support, branding assistance, and more.
Objectives
The Capacity Building Grant Program is a DSLBD initiative created to:
- Strengthen the ecosystem of District-based businesses that deliver technical assistance;
- Identify providers to deliver targeted business development training and backoffice services to program participants of DSLBD’s they Aspire, Dream Accelerator, and District Capitalized programs. See more details of each program in Appendices E-G; and
- Increase access to expertise and enhanced business development opportunities for participants of the they Aspire, Dream Accelerator, and District Capitalized programs
Uses of Funds
- FY26 Capacity Building Grant Program funds must be expended during the Period of
- Performance and are solely for carrying out allowable uses, as dictated below and in the applicable grant agreement.
- Grant funds may be used for any of the categories below, subject to approval by DSLBD. Additional costs proposed by the grantee that are not included below, but incurred during the Period of Performance, may be approved by DSLBD in its sole discretion.
Eligibility Criteria
An applicant for a FY26 Capacity Building Grant Program must meet the following criteria:
- To be eligible as a provider for the they Aspire and Dream Accelerator programs, an applicant must be an active Certified Business Enterprise (CBE). Individuals applying on behalf of a CBE must be the CBE’s owner(s), authorized member(s), or authorized employee(s) of the CBE.
- To be eligible as a provider for the District Capitalized program, an applicant must be an active Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) or a District-based non-profit. Individuals applying on behalf of a CBE or non-profit must be the CBE’s owner(s), authorized member(s), or authorized employee(s) of the CBE. Third parties cannot apply on behalf of a CBE.
- The applicant’s business must be based in DC.
- The applicant’s organization and Executive Director or other Officer(s) have not been suspended from any District grant program for any reason within the past five (5) years. DSLBD will not solicit offers from, award grants to, renew or extend grant agreements with, or consent to subcontracts with entities that have been suspended during this timeframe.
For more information, visit DSLBD.
