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News and resources to help your business thrive

In this issue:

Main Street Announcements

Current Grant & Funding Opportunities

Important Business Updates

Workshops, Webinars & Resources

Main Street Announcements

Hello everyone,

This issue includes a number of interesting grant and continuing educational opportunities including the HumanitiesDC Community Culture and Heritage grant and CBE training programs. Take a look and please reach out if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you this month in the corridor!

Best,

Noah

Executive Director

execdir@tenleytownmainstreet.org

Current Grant & Funding Opportunities

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

DSLBD Art All Night Marketing Grant

Amount: Up to $75,000

Deadline: February 19, 2026 (2:00 PM)

Learn more here

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is accepting applications for a $75,000 grant to lead the citywide marketing and communications strategy for the 2026 Art All Night festival. This is a significant opportunity for a DC-based marketing or creative firm to maximize media engagement for the District’s largest arts and culture event.

HumanitiesDC: Community Culture and Heritage Grant

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: February 18, 2026 (5:59 PM)

Learn more here

These grants fund grassroots projects like oral histories, exhibits, or short films that capture and share the unique culture of DC neighborhoods. This is an excellent way for long-standing Tenleytown businesses to document their history or neighborhood impact for a public audience. It is one of the few grant programs explicitly open to for-profit local businesses in the District.

Important Business Updates

Winter Restaurant Week: Final Weekend Extension

Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week has been officially extended through Sunday, February 1. If you are a participating restaurant, you have one more weekend to capitalize on the promotional menus and increased diner interest.

View Participating Restaurants

2026 RAMMY Awards: Nominations Close Sunday February 1!

The Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is accepting nominations for the 2026 RAMMY Awards until 11:59 PM this Sunday, February 1. This is our chance to get Tenleytown’s dining scene the city-wide recognition it deserves.

Categories: 20+ categories, including public-voted awards for Best Brunch and Favorite Fast Casual.

Submit your 2026 nomination here

Lunar New Year: Year of the Snake

Begins: February 17, 2026

Celebrations for the Lunar New Year will kick off across the District on February 17. Expect increased foot traffic in the city as residents head to the Downtown Parade and events at the Smithsonian.

Learn more here

Workshops, Webinars & Resources

DLCP Webinar: All Things Non-Profit

Date: February 12, 2026 (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Register here

During this virtual workshop hosted by the Small Business Resource Center, you will learn how to start a non-profit business, including corporate registration, licensing, and tax registration. This session also covers how to find and apply for grants specifically available for non-profit organizations.

Webinar: Learn How to Become a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE)

Date: February 4, 2026 (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM)

Register here

Hosted by the Small Business Resource Center, this session explains how the CBE program helps District-based businesses compete for local government contracting opportunities. This is essential for any local business looking to provide goods or services to the city.

From Certification to Contractors: A DC CBE Success Series

Date: February 5 & February 12, 2026 (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

Register here

This two-part in-person series at 441 4th Street NW is designed for businesses that already have or are seeking CBE certification. Session 1 (Feb 5) focuses on turning certification into opportunity, while Session 2 (Feb 12) provides the tools and resources needed to win DC contracting work.

Webinar: Business Foundation Series – The Business Model Canvas

Date: February 12, 2026 (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM)

Register here

This webinar is targeted at micro and small businesses. It teaches the “Business Model Canvas” method, a visual process that helps you move from a basic business idea to a structured one-page document. This is a great step for owners looking to refresh their strategy without writing a full-length business plan.

SCORE: Small Business Essentials Webinar Series

Date: Recurring February 12 – February 26, 2026 (12:00 PM – 1:30 PM)

Register here

SCORE Washington DC is offering its “Essentials” certificate series this month. Please note that while many SCORE events are free, this specific series requires a registration fee ($10 per individual session or $35 for the full 5-session bundle).

Upcoming sessions include:

• Feb 12: Creating a Quick Business Plan

• Feb 13: Setting Up a New Business Entity (Licensing and Legal)

• Feb 18: Marketing Part 1: Developing Your Marketing Plan

• Feb 19: Marketing Part 2: Promoting Your Business

• Feb 26: Developing Financial Projections for Your New Small Business

We Want To Hear From You!

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.