The 2026 Restaurant & Retail Stabilization Grant (RRSG) will support small businesses in the Washington, D.C. restaurant and retail industries to help them remain viable. 

Background 

$2,650,000 in grants ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 will be available through the 2026 Restaurant and Retail Stabilization Grant to restaurants and retail businesses located in Washington, D.C. (D.C.). The grant funds can be used to pay mortgage, rent, utility, insurance, common area maintenance (CAM), and/or payroll costs incurred between January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. 

The Restaurant and Retail Stabilization Grant is funded through the District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) and is administered by Capital Impact Partners (CIP). 

Timeline 

• Application opens April 27, 2026
• Application closes at 11:59 PM EDT May 29, 2026
• Applicants will be notified by August 31, 2026 
• Awardees will receive funding by the third quarter of 2026
• Grant period will end six months after funding is received

Eligibility 

To be eligible for this grant, a business must:  

• Be a for-profit, restaurant, or retail business at a brick-and-mortar location 
• Be a business established before June 1, 2024
• Have a physical location in the District of Columbia  
• Have an annual gross revenue between $100,000 and $5,000,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 (or since business was launched if it is before 6/1/2024)
• Demonstrate at least a 20% decline in gross revenue between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025
• Have an unexpired, fully executed deed, or lease
• Only apply for one business location within the District of Columbia
• Be independently owned and operated if the business is a franchise
• Be a restaurant (including bars, taverns, wineries, breweries, and distilleries) that is an establishment primarily engaged in providing food services to patrons who order and are served while seated (full-service) or pay before eating (limited-service/fast food), or
• Be a retail business engaged in the sale of merchandise (retail store) or a business engaged in the sale of services (retail service) to the general public including: art galleries; art supply stores; bars or taverns; bookstores; bakeries, card, gift, or party stores; clothing/specialty apparel stores; consignment shops; convenience stores/corner stores; dry cleaners; florists with on-site retail; furniture stores; grocery stores; gyms, yoga, dance, or fitness studios; hair salons or barbershops; wineries, breweries, or distilleries (with tavern or manufacturer license that sell products onsite); hardware stores; home goods stores; jewelry stores; laundromats; nail salons; pet supply stores; pharmacies, printing/signage shops; specialty shops; tuxedo/dress rental shops; tailors; waxing centers; wine shops.

Businesses are ineligible for this grant if they are a:  

• Home-based or mobile business
• Temporary, seasonal, or pop-up business
• Business in any industry other than restaurant or retail
• Nonprofit
• Business that is engaged in the sale of merchandise or services in the following sectors: adult entertainment; auto-body repair; banks; businesses that are franchises that are not independently owned and operated; cannabis dispensaries and/or cannabusinesses; childcare providers; construction/general contracting/architecture/design-build; financial services; food establishments used exclusively for preparing meals for delivery or takeout without customer-facing space (i.e., “ghost kitchens”); health care and healthcare adjacent businesses (e.g., dentists, physical therapists, acupuncture, and chiropractor offices); home-based businesses; hotel or lodging business; nightclubs that do not serve food; online only/e-commerce businesses; professional services (e.g., accountant, insurance, and law office), real estate development/property management/realtor.

Preference will be given to businesses:

• That did not receive funding from DMPED in the last three years
• That have a positive impact on residents and/or other enterprises where products and/or services are produced, sold, or delivered
• That purchase food, goods, or services from the local economy (D.C., MD, VA)

Geographic Eligibility:

All businesses that are located in the District of Columbia can apply for this grant if they meet the eligibility criteria. A minimum of $250,000 will be awarded to businesses in Chinatown, and a minimum of $1,000,000 will be awarded to businesses located within one of DC’s 13 “Great Streets” Corridors (see the eligibility map here).

Use of Funds

Eligible uses of grant funds are:  

• Occupancy costs (mortgage, rent, utilities, insurance, CAM)
• Payroll

Ineligible uses of funds are: 

• Anything that is not rent, utilities, insurance, CAM, mortgage, or payroll 

Informational Webinars

• Informational Webinar 1:  Wednesday, May 13, 12-1 PM EDT, Register here
• Informational Webinar 2:  Wednesday, May 20, 11 AM-12 PM EDT, Register here
• Informational Webinar 2:  Thursday, May 28, 10-11 AM EDT, Register here

Office Hours

• In-Person Office Hours:  Monday, May 11, 3- 5 PM EDT at MLK Memorial Library, Register here
• Virtual Office Hours: Monday, May 18, 11 AM-2 PM EDT, Register here
• In-Person Office Hours: Tuesday, May 26, 11 AM-2 PM EDT at MLK Memorial Library, Register here
• In-Person Office Hours: Tuesday, June 2, 10 AM-1 PM EDT at MLK Memorial Library,  Register here

Scoring Criteria

• Prior DMPED funding (5%) – preference for business that have not received DMPED funding in the last three years
• Community impact (5%) – does the business have a positive impact on residents
• Local economy (5%) – does the business purchase food, goods, or services locally
• Completeness (20%) – is the application complete with all required documents
• Demonstrated loss (30%) – does the business demonstrate at least 20% loss of gross revenue in 2025
• Demonstrated viability (35%) – does the business demonstrate continued viability

Documents Required in the Grant Application

• Business W-9 dated after January 1, 2026
• Business license
• Deed or lease agreement
• Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, or similar formation documentation appropriate to entity type
• Bylaws, Operating Agreement, or similar formation documentation appropriate to entity type
• Annual profit and loss statement for 2023, 2024, 2025. If the business was not in operation for the entire time period, profit and loss statements will be required for the time it was in operation between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025.
• Federal tax returns for 2023, 2024, and 2025 (if available). If the business was not in operation for the entire time period, tax returns will be required for the time it was in operation between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025.
• Payroll roster, which should include position title, wage, and hours (full-time or part-time), if any positions are unfilled (title and wage), but should NOT include personally identifiable information about employees such as first and last name, social security number, etc.

Documents Required if a Grant Finalist

• Certificate of Good Standing from the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), which was formerly the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) dated within 90 days of notification.
• Certificate of Clean Hands from the D.C. Office of Tax & Revenue dated within 90 days of notification.
• Certificate of Insurance

Questions

Please contact Alison Powers, Director, Economic Opportunities, Capital Impact Partners, nourishdc@capitalimpact.org, (703) 647-2369.

Technical assistance in Spanish is available through our partner, the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC). For more information please contact Leo Hernandez, Leo.Hernandez@ledcmetro.org, (202)-540-7414.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Equipment-Only Grant Interim Report Guidelines

Report Guidance

The Resilient Food Systems Equipment-Only (RFSI) Grant (Grant) interim report provided to Capital Impact Partners (CIP) is an important record of the Grant funding uses, activities, and impacts. 

The report will be submitted using the Submittable software program that was used for the Grant application and submission of finalist documentation. A link to the reporting form in Submittable will be provided at least 30 days before each report is due. 

Note: If all the Grant funding has been expended and approved when the Interim Grant Report is submitted, it will be considered the Final Grant Report. 

Report Content

The report has sections for narrative summaries of grant activities; metrics about employees, suppliers, products, sales, and markets; and financial reporting on grant expenditures.

Reporting Deadlines 

Interim Report is due:

• April 30, 2026 for Grant period January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026.

Final Report is due:

• July 30, 2026 for Grant period April, 2026 to June 30, 2026.

Interim Report Content

Narrative Information will include:

• Grant Use: Description of how Grant funds were used during the reporting time period;
• Impact: Description of the impact the Grant funding had on the business, which may include  new products developed, increased production capacity, new supply chain relationships, changes in revenue, etc.;
• Challenges: Description of any challenges sourcing, installing, or building the Grant-funded project; 
• Successes and Lessons Learned: Description of the successes, lessons learned, and / or frustrations experienced during the Grant reporting period;

 Metrics will include information on: 

• Employment;
• Supply chain connections made between the Grant recipient and farmers, processors, aggregators, retailers, and / or distributors as a result of the Grant funding;
• Product development, processing, and sales;
• Technology, facilities, and equipment.

Financial Report will include: 

• Expenditures: A spreadsheet detailing the use of Grant funds. The spreadsheet must include the enterprise name, reporting time period, date of expenditure, expense description, and expense amount.
• Supporting Documentation: Provide supporting documentation for all expenditures paid with Grant funds. The documentation should include scanned copies of payment receipts and may also include executed payroll records, invoices, vouchers, purchase orders, and / or other accounting documents. 
• Revenue: Provide the amount of new revenue generated as a result of grant-funded equipment, infrastructure, technology, etc.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Equipment-Only Grant Final Report Guidelines

Report Guidance

The Resilient Food Systems Equipment-Only (RFSI) Grant (Grant) interim report provided to Capital Impact Partners (CIP) is an important record of the Grant funding uses, activities, and impacts. 

The report will be submitted using the Submittable software program that was used for the Grant application and submission of finalist documentation. A link to the reporting form in Submittable will be provided at least 30 days before each report is due. 

Report Content

The report has sections for narrative summaries of grant activities; metrics about employees, suppliers, products, sales, and markets; and financial reporting on grant expenditures.

Reporting Deadline 

Final Report is due:

• July 30, 2026 for Grant period April, 2026 to June 30, 2026.

Interim Report Content

Narrative Information will include:

• Grant Use: Description of how Grant funds were used during the reporting time period;
• Impact: Description of the impact the Grant funding had on the business, which may include  new products developed, increased production capacity, new supply chain relationships, changes in revenue, etc.;
• Challenges: Description of any challenges sourcing, installing, or building the Grant-funded project; 
• Successes and Lessons Learned: Description of the successes, lessons learned, and / or frustrations experienced during the Grant reporting period;

 Metrics will include information on: 

• Employment;
• Supply chain connections made between the Grant recipient and farmers, processors, aggregators, retailers, and / or distributors as a result of the Grant funding;
• Product development, processing, and sales;
• Technology, facilities, and equipment.

Financial Report will include: 

• Expenditures: A spreadsheet detailing the use of Grant funds. The spreadsheet must include the enterprise name, reporting time period, date of expenditure, expense description, and expense amount.
• Supporting Documentation: Provide supporting documentation for all expenditures paid with Grant funds. The documentation should include scanned copies of payment receipts and may also include executed payroll records, invoices, vouchers, purchase orders, and / or other accounting documents. 
• Revenue: Provide the amount of new revenue generated as a result of grant-funded equipment, infrastructure, technology, etc.

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Infrastructure Grant Reporting Guidelines

Report Guidance

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Grant (Grant) reports provided to Capital Impact Partners (CIP) are important records of the Grant funding uses, activities, and impacts. 

The reports will be submitted using the Submittable software program that was used for the Grant application and submission of finalist documentation. A link to the reporting form in Submittable will be provided at least 30 days before each report is due. 

Report Content

Each report will have sections for narrative summaries of grant activities; metrics about employees, suppliers, products, sales, and markets; and financial reporting on grant expenditures.

Reporting Deadlines 

Quarterly Reports are due:

• July 30, 2026 for Grant period April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026;
• October 31, 2026 for Grant period July 1, 2026 to September 30, 2026;
• January 31, 2027 for Grant period October 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026;

Final Report is due:

• April 30, 2027 for Grant period December 1, 2025 to March 31, 2027. 

Quarterly Report Narrative Information will include:

• Grant Use: Description of how Grant funds were used during the reporting time period;
• Impact: Description of the impact the Grant funding had on the business, which may include  new products developed, increased production capacity, new supply chain relationships, changes in revenue, etc.;
• Challenges: Description of any challenges sourcing, installing, or building the Grant-funded project; 
• Modifications: Description of any modification to the purchases and / or activities mentioned in the Grant application;
• Successes and Lessons Learned: Description of the successes, lessons learned, and / or frustrations experienced during the Grant reporting period;

 Metrics will include information on: 

• Employment;
• Supply chain connections made between the Grant recipient and farmers, processors, aggregators, retailers, and / or distributors as a result of the Grant funding;
• Product development, processing, and sales;
• Technology, facilities, and equipment.

Financial Report will include: 

• Expenditures: A spreadsheet detailing the use of Grant funds. The spreadsheet must include the enterprise name, reporting time period, date of expenditure, expense description, and expense amount.
• Supporting Documentation: Provide supporting documentation for all expenditures paid with Grant funds. The documentation should include scanned copies of payment receipts and may also include executed payroll records, invoices, vouchers, purchase orders, and / or other accounting documents. 
• Revenue: Provide the amount of new revenue generated as a result of grant-funded equipment, infrastructure, technology, etc.

Each Momentus Capital Charitable Contributions Committee grant recipient may apply for a new grant once a grant report for the previous grant has been submitted. New grant applications may be submitted one full year after previous grant funds were received.

The grant report must be submitted after the grant funds are used, and the report should describe how the funds were used and the impact of the grant (questions below).

Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Equipment-Only Grant Final Report Guidelines

Report Guidance

The Resilient Food Systems Equipment-Only (RFSI) Grant (Grant) final report provided to Capital Impact Partners (CIP) is and important record of the Grant funding uses, activities, and impacts. 

The report will be submitted using the Submittable software program that was used for the Grant application and submission of finalist documentation. A link to the reporting form in Submittable will be provided at least 30 days before the final report is due. 

Report Content

The final report will have a section for a narrative summary of grant activities; metrics about employees, suppliers, products, sales, and markets; and financial reporting on grant expenditures.

Reporting Deadlines 

Final Report is due:

• July 30, 2026 for Grant period January 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026.
• If all Grant funds have been expended on approved equipment, delivery, and installation before June 30, 2026, the reporting period will be shortened, and the Final Report will be due 30 days after all Grant funds have been expended. 

Interim Report Content

Narrative Information will include:

• Grant Use: Description of how Grant funds were used during the reporting time period;
• Impact: Description of the impact the Grant funding had on the business, which may include  new products developed, increased production capacity, new supply chain relationships, changes in revenue, etc.;
• Challenges: Description of any challenges sourcing, installing, or building the Grant-funded project; 
• Successes and Lessons Learned: Description of the successes, lessons learned, and / or frustrations experienced during the Grant reporting period.

 Metrics will include information on: 

• Employment;
• Supply chain connections made between the Grant recipient and farmers, processors, aggregators, retailers, and / or distributors as a result of the Grant funding;
• Product development, processing, and sales;
• Technology, facilities, and equipment.

Financial Reports will include: 

• Expenditures: A spreadsheet detailing the use of Grant funds. The spreadsheet must include the enterprise name, reporting time period, date of expenditure, expense description, and expense amount.
• Supporting Documentation: Provide supporting documentation for all expenditures paid with Grant funds. The documentation should include scanned copies of payment receipts and may also include executed payroll records, invoices, vouchers, purchase orders, and / or other accounting documents. 
• Revenue: Provide the amount of new revenue generated as a result of grant-funded equipment, infrastructure, technology, etc

RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMS INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT 

Equipment-Only Grant - Reporting Requirements

Report Guidance

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Equipment-Only Grant (Grant) reports provided to Capital Impact Partners (CIP) are important records of the Grant funding uses, activities, and impacts. 

The reports will be submitted using the Submittable software program that was used for the Grant application and submission of finalist documentation. After the Initial Report, a link to the reporting forms in Submittable will be provided at least 30 days before each report is due. 

Report Content

Each report will have sections for narrative summaries of grant activities; metrics about employees, suppliers, products, sales, and markets; and financial reporting on grant expenditures.

Reporting Deadlines 

Quarterly Report is due:

April 30, 2026 for Grant period January 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026.

Final Report is due:

• July 30, 2026 for Grant period December 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.The reporting period will be shortened and the Final Report will be due 30 days after all Grant funds have been expended on approved equipment, delivery, and installation. 

Questions

Please contact Alison Powers at apowers@capitalimpact.org with any questions.