News and resources to help your business thrive

In this issue:

Main Street Announcements

Dine All Night

Current Grant & Funding Opportunities

Important Business Updates

Workshops, Webinars & Resources

Hello everyone,

Art All Night is right around the corner on Saturday, September 12! TMS has been planning this for several months and it promises to be a great event with more than 10,000 people coming to Tenleytown. For our restaurants, this is a wonderful time to participate in Dine All Night. Tenleytown Main Street is also offering affordable pricing on ads for our event guide to increase awareness. If you are interested please reach out for more details. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your August and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Best,

Noah

Executive Director

execdir@tenleytownmainstreet.org

Dine All Night 2026 — Registration Open

Dine All Night runs Thursday, September 10 (happy hour) through Sunday, September 13 (brunch), overlapping with Art All Night on September 12. It’s free to participate, open to all DC-based restaurants, food trucks, bars, and beverage vendors.

What’s involved:

• Feature a “Night Owly” dish or drink (or happy hour/brunch specials) on the Art All Night app
• Submit your business logo with your application
• Every participating business receives a window decal
• No discounts required

Deadline: Registration closes August 28th
Register here

Questions? Reach out to dc.mainstreets@dc.gov

If you would like help preparing your application for any of these opportunities please contact Tenleytown Main Street at info@tenleytownmainstreet.org.

Google Ad Grants for Nonprofits
Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: Rolling
Learn more here

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations receive up to $10,000 per month in Google search advertising to attract donors, customers, and volunteers.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation Grants
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Rolling
Learn more here

Year-round application process focused on health equity, early education, and family economic security. Requires a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) first.

The Freed Fellowship Grant

Amount: $2,500 grant plus mentorship; monthly $500 Freed Fellow grants

Deadline: Rolling

Learn more here

US based small business owners can apply for a monthly $500 grant from The Freed Fellowship. Along with the grant, applicants receive feedback on their business and a two month free membership in the Freed Studio. Grant recipients are also eligible for an end of year grant of $2,500.

Commercial Property Acquisition Fund

Amount: Up to $300,000

Deadline: Rolling

Learn more here

This fund provides down payment assistance through grants of up to $300,000 or 25% of the sale price (whichever is less) to eligible DC-based businesses looking to maintain and expand their physical operations by acquiring commercial property in the District.

DSLBD Current Funding Opportunities

Check here regularly
Most of DSLBD’s major FY26 grant rounds have now closed for this cycle, but DSLBD posts new opportunities on a rolling basis, worth checking weekly.

American University Move In Market

Event Dates: August 23 and 24 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Cost: Modest participation fee

Deadline: July 31, 2026

Contact: chensley@american.edu

American University invites local businesses to become Official Welcome Partners for their inaugural Move In Market. This is a great opportunity for restaurants, retailers, and service providers to distribute promotional materials, coupons, or samples directly to 1,800 incoming undergraduate students and their families right on campus. Reach out to chensley@american.edu by the deadline to express interest and receive full registration details and vendor guidelines.

DLCP is launching a new licensing system (BOSS) this month.

Learn More Here

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection’s new “Business One Stop Solution” is expected to go live in August 2026, replacing the current business registration and licensing portals. Temporary service interruptions may occur during the transition.

Small Businesses Now Eligible for $10 Million in SBA Financing

Learn More Here

The US Small Business Administration announced on July 7, 2026, that borrowers may now combine their 7(a) and 504 loans for up to $10 million in SBA backed financing. This policy expands the capital available to small businesses across all industries.

Save More with DCSEU

Learn More Here

Take advantage of DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) HVAC rebates to upgrade to more efficient central air conditioning, heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters. Save even more on heat pump technologies when switching from gas to electric equipment. The DCSEU offers $250 to $5,000 off qualifying electric heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and air conditioners. All heating and cooling equipment (including water heaters) must be installed by a DC licensed contractor to qualify.

“I Heard It on TikTok”: A Closer Look at Bizfluencer Advice for Small Business Owners
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Register here

Hosted by Start Small Think Big and Chapman and Cutler LLP, this webinar unpacks common business tips seen on TikTok and Instagram and explains where “bizfluencer” advice tends to fall apart, especially around legal requirements, business structure, and state-specific rules.

Live Session: Business Plan Basics

Dates: Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET

Register here

In this webinar, learn how to take your business idea from concept to reality. Whether you are starting from scratch or finally ready to put your vision on paper, this hands on session will walk you through everything you need to build a solid business plan. You will learn how to define your business model, identify your target market, set realistic financial goals, and create a roadmap investors and lenders actually want to see.

Send Tenleytown Main Street information on promotions you are offering, your latest business news, and/or special events you are hosting. TMS will highlight your business on our website, mobile app, and/or social media channels. Email Tenleytown Main Street at info@tenleytownmainstreet.org or tag us in your social media posts (@TenleytownMS on Twitter/Instagram or @TenleytownMainStreet on Facebook).

Tenleytown Main Street is an accredited Main Street program that is funded in part by the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development.