About this programme
The Great Streets Retail Grant Program funds capital improvements for small retail and restaurant businesses located in DC's designated Great Streets commercial corridors. It's run by the Great Streets Office within the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED).
The program looks for businesses that will activate or stabilize a commercial corridor, maintain or create jobs (especially for District residents), visually improve the corridor through facade work, and improve the customer experience through interior remodeling.
It's competitive: DMPED describes receiving hundreds of applications each cycle, and a submitted application does not guarantee an award. Applications go through prescreening, review, and selection before any conditional award is made.
How it works
General Great Streets grant awards range from $5,000 to $70,000. Applicants can request an additional top-up of up to $20,000 if they propose a distinct innovative component to their project, on top of the general capital-improvement scope.
Up to 35% of a grant can go toward soft costs such as marketing materials and services, including a temporary marketing consultant; preference goes to DC-based consultants and Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) firms, though soft-cost spending doesn't count toward the program's permanent-jobs requirement.
Award amounts for multiple businesses collocated at the same physical address are capped at $90,000 combined, not per business.
Reimbursements are allowed for eligible expenses incurred as far back as December 12, 2025 (the RFA release date for this cycle).
For this cycle, the RFA was released December 12, 2025, amended January 13, 2026, with a submission deadline of January 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET per the amended RFA page (the program's FAQ document separately lists an application window of December 12 - January 16, 2026, with a January 16 noon deadline; applicants should follow the most current posted deadline). Conditional award notifications are expected late spring to early summer 2026, with fund disbursement expected summer 2026, after a signed grant agreement and required documents are received.
Who can apply
The applicant must be a brick-and-mortar small business (partnership, LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship) in the retail or restaurant industry, located in or within a designated Great Streets corridor boundary (verify with the interactive map at s.dc.gov/greatstreetsmap). First- and second-floor businesses qualify if they are street-facing; home-based sole proprietors and online-only retailers do not qualify.
Average annual revenue over the last three completed calendar years (or projected average for a business under three years old) must not exceed $3 million; grants received from the District government don't count toward that revenue figure. Businesses with less than three years of tax returns can fill the gap with the owners' personal tax returns.
Sole proprietors qualify if they are DC residents and the business is their primary source of income. Nonprofits qualify if they are arts-and-humanities 501(c)(3) organizations or community revitalization nonprofits organized in DC.
Franchise owners qualify only if the franchise is DC-based with fewer than three existing locations, and only if independently owned and operated. An owner with multiple businesses can apply for up to three locations, each with its own EIN and each meeting all eligibility rules on its own.
The applicant needs 'site control': a deed, lease, or sublease, plus a signed and notarized landlord affidavit confirming the business may operate from the space. Letters of Intent are not accepted for this program (they are accepted for the related Emerging Retail Initiative grant).
Ineligible: businesses that are a secondary/side income source for the owner, businesses that have ceased operations, non-independently-operated franchises, businesses that received a Great Streets or Emerging Retail Initiative grant in the last 5 years, construction and real estate businesses, financial institutions, health care and social assistance businesses, hotels/B&Bs/inns/motels, online-only retailers, professional services firms, seasonal businesses, transportation companies, and universities or education institutions. Liquor stores and cannabis dispensaries can apply but cannot use funds to buy product.
How to apply
- Confirm your business location falls within a Great Streets corridor using the interactive map at s.dc.gov/greatstreetsmap.
- Gather required documents (see below), including three years of business tax returns, an active DC Business License matching your business address, and a Certificate of Clean Hands dated within 90 days of your application.
- Submit your application electronically through the DMPED Grants Management Platform (Submittable portal) before the deadline; hand-delivered, mailed, or emailed applications are not accepted.
- If selected, complete the award recommendation process, submit any remaining required documents, and sign the grant agreement before funds are disbursed.
Documents you’ll typically need
- Three years of business tax returns (or personal tax returns for owners to fill any gap)
- Active DC Business License matching the business address
- Evidence of site control (commercial lease or deed) plus a notarized Landlord Affidavit
- Certificate of Clean Hands (dated within 90 days of application, matching the business EIN or owner SSN)
- State-issued identification of the business owner (passports not accepted)
- Statement of Insurance / valid Certificate of Occupancy showing required insurance coverage
- Arrest and Convictions Document
- Debarment Document
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Itemized and justifiable project budget
- Ethics and Accountability document
- Tax Certification Affidavit
- W9
- Required Financial Documents Statement form (for nonprofits and businesses submitting P&L)
- Profit and Loss statements (3 years if operating 3+ years, or year-to-date if under 1 year)
Frequently asked
How much can my business receive?
The general grant ranges from $5,000 to $70,000, and you can request up to an additional $20,000 on top of that if you propose a distinct innovative component to your project.
Do I need to own the ground-floor space?
No. First and second floor businesses can apply as long as they are street-facing.
My annual revenue hit $3 million in one year. Am I disqualified?
Not necessarily. What matters is your three-year average revenue; if that average is $3 million or below, you can still apply.
Can I apply for more than one of my locations?
Yes, up to three locations, as long as each has its own EIN and independently meets all eligibility requirements.
Does receiving a District government grant count against my revenue cap?
No, grants from the District government are not counted toward your gross receipts for the $3 million threshold.
Am I guaranteed funding if I submit a complete application?
No. This is a competitive program with hundreds of applicants; submission only means your application enters prescreening and review, not that an award follows.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.