The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for the 2026 Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) Sustainable Energy Grants.
Donor Name: DC Department of Small and Local Business Development
State: District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/17/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The CBE Sustainable Energy Grants Program is a DSLBD initiative created to support CBEs in the Energy Efficiency, energy reduction, Electrification, Renewable Energy and other related Green Energy markets. In partnership with DC’s Department of Energy and Environment (“DOEE”), DSLBD supports CBEs by helping them prepare for opportunities with DOEE, DC Sustainable Energy Utility (“DCSEU”), and other Green Energy and sustainable energy procurement opportunities.
Marketing and back-office services are key building blocks to prepare CBEs for contracting opportunities. FY 26 CBE Sustainable Energy Grants provide direct support to small, resident-owned, and/or disadvantaged CBEs pursuing DCSEU contracting opportunities or opportunities with similar Green Energy and/or sustainable energy goals.
Types of Grants
- CBE Energy Contract Services Grants
- CBE Energy Contract Services grant program, DSLBD seeks up to two (2) CBEs to provide direct marketing, back-office, and training services to strengthen CBE preparedness and competitiveness for Green Energy and sustainable infrastructure and energy-related procurement opportunities for at least 35 CBEs.
- Energy Expansion Grants
- Energy Expansion Grants program, DSLBD seeks up to four (4) DCbased businesses to submit a funding proposal related to Green Energy, Energy Efficiency/reduction, Electrification, and/or Renewable Energy projects. The Energy Expansion Grant offers DC-based businesses an opportunity to access funding to enhance or scale their Green Energy business model through initiatives focused on Energy Efficiency/reduction, Electrification, and/or Renewable Energy.
- CBE Energy Business Support Lottery Grants
- DSLBD intends to award up to ten (10) grants to CBEs, registered with DSLBD as Small Business Enterprises (SBE) and Resident-Owned Businesses (ROB). Grantees will be selected via the CBE Energy Business Support Lottery.
Funding Information
- CBE Energy Contract Services Grants
- DSLBD intends to award up to two (2) grants up to $60,000.00 each from $120,000.00 in available funding for FY 26.
- Energy Expansion Grants
- DSLBD intends to award up to four (4) grants up to $50,000.00 each from $100,000.00 in available funding for FY 26.
- CBE Energy Business Support Lottery Grants
- DSLBD will use a randomized lottery system to award eligible businesses up to ten (10) grants up to $7,100.00 each from $71,000.00 in available funding for FY 26.
Eligibility Criteria
An applicant for a FY 26 CBE Sustainable Energy Grant must meet the following criteria:
- For CBE Energy Contract Services and CBE Business Support Lottery Grants, active CBE certification is required.
- Active Commercial General Liability Insurance Coverage.
- Active Workers Compensation and Automotive Liability Insurance Coverage, if applicable.
- 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.
