The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (“DMPED”) invites the submission of applications from qualified organizations for a grant pursuant to the Great Streets Initiative under the Emerging Retail Initiative grant program.
Donor Name: Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (“DMPED”)
State: District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/16/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The purpose of the Program is to create a low-risk environment for businesses to test their concepts, build brand awareness, and scale toward permanent brick-and-mortar operations, ultimately fostering economic vibrancy, sustainability, and community engagement in underserved commercial corridors.
The funding opportunity is to fund businesses that are proposing the following:
- Activate vacant spaces: Occupy or support businesses in temporarily occupied and underutilized commercial spaces to bring vibrancy, foot traffic, and economic opportunity to local corridors.
- Test their concepts in low-risk retail environments (e.g., pop-ups, stalls, short-term spaces, community-markets) or support businesses to develop sustainable models for long-term growth.
- Foster job creation and retention: Increase full-time employment opportunities within their emerging business.
- Provide essential amenities by offering goods and services that meet community needs.
- Promote commercial sustainability: Encourage capital improvements, customer attraction, and retention through expanded offerings and improved retail spaces
- Gradually scale from shared or incubator spaces to permanent locations.
- Build brand recognition and grow their customer base.
- Leverage community-focused spaces that support innovation, cultural diversity, and sustainability.
Funding Information
DMPED expects to award multiple grants under the Program, with a total funding amount of up to $200,000, contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds. Individual awards are anticipated to be up to $20,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for an award under the Program:
- Business Type:
- Retail, service-oriented businesses (excluding professional services) or select nonprofits operating within incubators, pop-up stalls, short-term retail spaces, food halls or community driven markets
- Pop-up stalls
- Short-term retail spaces
- Incubator spaces
- Food halls or community-driven markets
- Business Status:
- Applicants may be new or existing small business, non-profit in the art and humanities sector, or a community development organization supporting small businesses in their space
For more information, visit DMPED.
