News and resources to help your business thrive

In this issue:

Main Street Announcements

Art All Night

Current Grant & Funding Opportunities

Important Business Updates

Workshops, Webinars & Resources

Hello everyone,

I hope your businesses are thriving as we head into the fall with everyone returning from vacation and students back to school. If you have a chance, take some time tomorrow evening to check out Tenleytown’s Art All Night and support our local businesses and community for this once a year celebration of our community!

Best,

Noah

Executive Director

execdir@tenleytownmainstreet.org

Art All Night is This Saturday!

Art All Night returns Saturday, September 12, from 7pm to midnight along Wisconsin Ave. With over 150 artists, exhibits, ensembles, and vendors across venues including the Welcome Center, St. Ann’s Gym, St. Ann’s Church, Tenley-Friendship Library, St. Columba’s Church, The Tile Shop, Middle C Music, Guapo’s, District Irish Dance Academy, JTR Jujutsu, Katzen Arts Center, and Tenley Provisions.

Download the DC Art All Night app for maps and full schedules, and grab the Eventzee app to join our neighborhood scavenger hunt with prizes from local businesses.

More info here

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

Stanley 1913 Creators Fund
Amount: Up to $50,000
Deadline: September 13, 2026
Learn more here

Unrestricted funding for early-stage nonprofits creating positive social or environmental change in their communities. Open to 501(c)(3) organizations generally under 10 years old with annual operating income between $200,000 and $2 million. Deadline is this Sunday, so move quickly on this one.

MOVE Fund Grants
Amount: $40,000 – $150,000 (two-year operating grants)
Deadline: September 16, 2026
Learn more here

Supports coalitions and collaboratives using sport and play as tools for youth development and community change. Geared toward groups working together on systems-level goals rather than individual organizations.

Hearst Foundation Grants
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Rolling
Learn more here
National foundation supporting nonprofit organizations working in education, health, culture, and social services. Applications accepted year-round

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.

Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Grants
Amount: Various amounts
Deadline: Applications open October 1, due November 1
Learn more here

One of DC’s largest local funders, supporting community organizations across the District. Worth prepping your materials now ahead of the October 1 opening.

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.

DLCP’s new licensing system (BOSS) is now live

Details on the DLCP Hub

The Business One Stop Solution launched in August, consolidating business registration and licensing into one platform. If you haven’t logged in yet, expect a different interface than the old system, and some temporary service hiccups are still possible during the transition.

The BEST Act is rolling out

Learn More Here

DLCP is implementing the Business and Entrepreneurship Support to Thrive Act, which simplifies and modernizes business licensing across the District.

Alcohol license renewals due September 30

Read the notice

ABCA’s fall renewal deadline is approaching, along with annual payment requirements and new security camera rules for licensees.

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.

Legal Clinic: Onboarding Employees (In-Person)
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 10:45 AM – 12:30 PM
Cost: Free
Register here

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center is hosting this in-person clinic offering free brief legal advice on the basics of onboarding employees. You’ll meet one-on-one with attorney volunteers for a basic review of your onboarding policies. Topics include employment application practices and Ban-the-Box compliance, Notice of Hire forms and Wage Theft Prevention Act requirements, Form I-9 compliance, benefits enrollment, and employee policy acknowledgments. Open to small businesses that are already incorporated and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status. Best suited for owners or managers with HR responsibilities. Questions? Email NPSB@dcbar.org.

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.