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News and resources to help your business thrive

In this issue:

• Main Street Announcements

• Important Business Announcements

• Grant & Funding Opportunities

• Workshops, Webinars & Resources

Main Street Announcements

Hello Tenleytown!

TMS & TD Bank have partnered on a tax seminar next Friday December 5th, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Industrious Space in CityRidge (see below for details!)

Now is a great time to begin to think about how your business will prepare for the holiday season. Initiatives like Small Business Saturday on Saturday November 29th (Thanksgiving weekend) can help boost your holiday sales. TMS will be out soon delivering SBS promotional materials to your business!.

TMS be reaching out soon with details about the Business Membership Program. This is a great chance for your business to receive a number of incentives like free advertising for a low yearly cost that contributes to improvements and programming in Tenleytown.

Please reach out to let us know how we can support you. I look forward to seeing you soon in the corridor!

Best,

Noah

Executive Director

execdir@tenleytownmainstreet.org

Important Business Updates

Tenleytown Main Street & TD Bank 2025 Tax Change Seminar

Friday December 5th, 4:00pm-6:00pm

Industrious @ City Ridge, 14 Ridge Square NW

TMS is excited to host a tax seminar with TD Bank Banking Specialist Kelvin Brown on Friday December 5th from 4:00pm-6:00pm for an overview of the recently passed federal tax bill (One Big Beautiful Bill.) in the Industrious Co-Working Space at 14 Ridge Square NW in City Ridge.  Please reach out to info@tenleytownmainstreet.org with any questions or instructions on how to access the space.

Sign up here

AmEx Small Business Shop Small Signup

Small Biz Saturday Sign up

Learn more here

Small Business Saturday returns Saturday November 29th! This is a great way to promo your business on a weekend of shopping locally. VNMS will deliver Small Biz Saturday swag in the coming weeks. Make sure your business is registered on the American Express Small Business Locator!

DSLBD District Capitalized Revolving Fund Program

Learn more here

DSLBD is excited to present the District Capitalized Revolving Fund Program, which provides direct financial support to help small businesses in DC grow and stabilize their operations. This initiative is managed in collaboration with fund managers EatsPlace and Life Asset The District Capitalized Revolving Fund Program (DCRF Program) provides 

Micro-Loans — up to $10,000 in short-term working capital

Business Credit-Building and Reporting Support — helping entrepreneurs strengthen their credit history and long-term stability. 

Take the first step to explore or apply for a micro-line of credit and start an application with one of our Fund Managers: EatsPlace Application or Life Asset Application

DC Medicaid Eligibility Requirement Changes Virtual Town Hall

November 20th, 2:00pm

Learn more here

Join the virtual town hall briefing to learn more about the Healthy DC Plan.With the upcoming changes to DC Medicaid eligibility requirements on December 31, 2025, the Healthy DC Plan will provide continuous coverage and care to your impacted employees.

DC Health Link

RAMW DC Cocktail Week

December 1st – 7th

Learn more here

Become a featured destination during DC Cocktail Week.  Every participating location is included in RAMW’s extensive marketing campaign, utilizing RAMW’s powerful consumer reach, strategic ad buys, and social media platforms. Please note there is a $100 fee to participate and your business has to commit to have a cocktail and a bite for the entire week at a fixed cost.

All Elevator and Conveyance Oversight Now Under DOB 

Learn more here

Effective October 1, 2025, DOB oversees both inspections and certifications of elevators and other conveyances across the District. Previously, DOB handled inspections while the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) issued licenses.  The results of this change are: 

One-stop process: Customers now only need to use one agency to get their conveyances inspected and approved for operation. 

“Licenses” become  “Certificates” : DOB is issuing conveyance “certificates” under the authority of the Code Official and the Construction Codes.

RAMW/DOES Hospitality Hiring Fair: Are you Hiring?

December 9th; 10:00am – 2:00 pm

Learn more here

RAMW is partnering with the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) to co-host a special “Hospitality Hiring Day.” Don’t miss this opportunity to meet over 250 job seekers interested in securing a position in the food and hospitality industry -you will have the opportunity to interview and hire employees.

Let RAMW know if you are interested in participating: linda@ramw.org

Participate in DC 2050 This Fall

November 15th, 11am-1pm 

Learn more here

The DC Office of Planning is offeing an information workshop for businesses to contribute ideas for the District’s future this fall.

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.

Gusto Impact Award 

Amount: up to $50,000 + $500 Visa Gift Cards

Deadline: November 21st

Lean more here

Guston celebrates businesses who are making a difference for their customers and their community. Businesses have a chance at up to $50,000 in funding: $10,000 cash to grow your business any way you see fit; $40,000 advertising grant with Gusto’s creative team and one-year of free Gusto payroll/benefits/HR Services.Thirty small businesses in each region will also receive $500 Visa gift cards 

Sephora Beauty Grant

Amount: up to $100,000

Deadline: November 28th

Learn more here

In partnership with Fifteen Percent Pledge, Sephora awards $100,000 in unrestricted funding to help underrepresented beauty founders scale their businesses. Eligible businesses must be U.S.-based CPG brands with at least $100,000 in revenue, one year in operation, and majority ownership by a founder from an underrepresented background.

American Express Shop Small Grant Program

Amount: Up to $20,000

Deadline: Application opens November 29th

Learn more here

AmEx is here to help small businesses grow, innovate, and support their local communities, by teaming up with Main Street America this Small Business Saturday® to launch the Amex Shop Small Grants Program. The Program will provide an initial $5 million to fund 250 grants of $20,000 each to eligible small business owners across the U.S.

Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)

Amount: $500

Program Date: through December 9th

Learn more here

Free, online 7-week Healthy Food Business Incubator

Overcome Your Business Challenges! Opportunity to receive $500 to invest in your business!

Verizon: $10,000 Digital Ready Business Grants

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: December 10th

Learn more here

Complete any combination of two eligible courses or events between July 1, 2025 and December 10, 2025 to unlock the application.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Learn more here

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program provides business education, support services, and pathways to capital for growth-oriented entrepreneurs. Participants gain practical skills to take their business to the next level with topics like financial statements, negotiations, and marketing.

Small Business Readiness for Resiliency

Deadline: Rolling

Learn More

Developed in partnership with founding sponsor FedEx, the Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) is a multi-year initiative to empower small business owners to proactively mitigate the risks posed by disasters.

Awesome Foundation Grant

Learn more here

Black Founder Startup Grant

Learn more here

BREVA Thrive Grant

Learn more here

Comcast Innovation Fund

Learn more here

Exelon Corporate Giving Program
Learn more here

Freed Fellowship Grant

Learn more here

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Application

Learn more here

Hustler’s Microgrant

Learn more here

LISC Small Business Seeking Financing Ready Series

Learn more here

National Association of the Self-Employed

Learn more here

Outta Excuses

Learn more here

Start.Pivot.Grow

Learn more here

Skip Monthly Grants

Learn more here

Wish Local Empowerment Program

Learn more here

Women’s Venture Fund

Learn more here

YippityDoo Big Idea Grant

Learn more here

ZenBusiness

Learn more here

DC Government Funding Resources

ObviouslyDC.com has the latest in DC government funding and grant opportunities for businesses.

DC Security Camera Rebate Program

Learn more here

Latino Economic Development Center Growth Loans

Learn more here

LEDC is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing alternative financing to help build and grow local businesses.

The Coalition Guide to Small Business Financing
Descargar Guía en Español
Download Guide in English

Webinars, Workshops & Resources

All events are free unless otherwise indicated.

Salesforce Support Hours

November 17th, 12:00pm

Learn More

DSLBD – Updates to the District Enterprise System (DES)

November 17th, 1:00pm

Learn more here

Digital Footprint 101: Why Small Businesses Can’t Afford to Be Invisible

November 18th, 10:00am

Learn more here

Leasing Secrets Every Business Owner Should Know

November 18th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Best Practices for Nonprofit Boards

November 18th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Rebooting Your Business After a Crisis – External Recovery
November 18th, 2:00pm

Register Here

Verizon Digital Ready Founders SWOT Analysis

November 18th, 2:30pm

Learn more here

Verizon Digital Ready: Mastering Social Media Marketing

November 18th, 4:00pm

Learn more here

Marketing Part 1: Developing Your Marketing Plan

November 19th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Emotional Intelligence (EI) for Small Business Success

November 19th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Navigating the Legal Landscape of Online Business

November 19th, 3:00pm

Learn more here

Verizon Digital Ready: The Hiring Edge 

November 19th, 3:00pm

Learn more here

How to Start a Podcast to Market Your Business 

November 19th, 6:00pm

Learn more here

Utilizing SBA Programs to help your Business Succeed

November 19th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Marketing Part 2: Promoting Your Business

November 20th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Verizon Digital Ready: Better Taxes Next Year 

November 20th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Emotional Intelligence (EI) for Small Business Success

November 20th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Developing Financial Projections for Your New Small Business

November 21st, 12:00pm

Learn more here

US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Update

December 4th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

SCORE November Small Business Webinars

Learn more here ($10/each)

The Coalition Small Business Resource Hub

DCSmallBizHelp is the one-stop hub for Washington, D.C. small business and entrepreneurs looking for valuable resources, support organizations, lenders, events and trainings.

Learn more here

DLCP Business Resource Center (BRC)

The BRC at Dept Of License and Consumer Protection  is your go-to destination for expert guidance, hands-on support, and practical resources to help you start and grow your business in Washington, DC.

Learn more here

DC Pro Bono Law Center

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center transforms lives by providing free legal assistance to individuals, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses through volunteer lawyers.

Learn more here

Business Support Articles

AI for Small Business 101: How to Get Started

Annual Marketing Budget Template

Build a Disaster Recovery Plan for Your Small Business

Daily Business Accounting Checklist

IRS Form 7206: New Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction

IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief

IRS Educational Assistance Programs

New Consumer Holiday Shopping Behaviors

New Hire Paperwork & Documentation

Nonprofit Checklist: What to do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated

Optimize Your Products to Maximize Holiday Sales

Productive Holidays: How to Keep Your Company Going During Employee Time Off

SCORE Annual Marketing Budget Template

SCORE Business Crises Management Resources

SCORE Marketing Calendar Template

SCORE Quick Start Marketing Plan

SCORE Simple Steps for Exiting Your Business

Truist Business Finance Workbook Resource Guide

VSBDR Email marketing: Creating a winning strategy

VSBDR Develop Engaging Content

VSBDR Planning for the unexpected: Building Resiliency into your Business

Fraud Protection

Report Suspected Fraud – If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to:

DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division: 202.727.8000

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: 202.278.2000

Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud@ftc.gov

Free Webinar: ICE Raids and I-9 Audits: How to protect your business from costly mistakes

Learn more here

ICE Resumes Workplace Enforcement at Restaurants

Protect Your Teams and Restaurant: Verify your I-9 documentation is complete, current, and accessible. Ensure management teams understand proper protocols for potential workplace visits. Visit RAMW.org/Immigration for resources.

DC OAG: Know your Rights

Learn more here

National Immigration Law Center Form I-9 Audits or Inspections FAQ’s

What is a Form I-9 audit or inspection? What does your business need to be prepared?

Learn more here

ICE Emergency Hotline

To report ICE raids or other ICE activity  If someone has been taken by ICE and you need information on available resources: 202-335-1183  

Learn more here

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.