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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!

Now is a great time to begin to think about how your business will prepare for the holiday season. Initiatives like Small Business Saturday during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend can help to boost your sales.

We will also be reaching out soon with details about our 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

DC Holiday Hunt Business Participation 2025

Join District Bridges for DC Holiday Hunt – an easy & fun digital game that encourages consumers to shop local and support small businesses this holiday season. Small businesses like: YOURS! Use this form to sign up so we can include and promote your work as part of this initiative. DC Holiday Hunt will run from November 23rd, 2025 to January 3rd, 2026. For more information about the event, 

Check out the DC Holiday Hunt

Together We Dine with RAMW

Through October 31st

Throughout October, RAMW invites to the table for Together We Dine – a month-long celebration of the power of shared meals and the DMV restaurants that make them possible. 

Learn More

Metro Seeks Public Input on Strategic Plan Refresh

Metro is updating Your Metro, The Way Forward and invites public feedback through Nov. 4.

Learn more here

Stay Ahead of the AI Curve DC Chamber of Commerce

October 22nd 2:30pm

International Square, 1875 I St NW

Join the DC Chamber of Commerce for From Hype to Impact: Real World AI in Business during DC Startup & Tech Week! Learn how companies are using AI today to boost efficiency, growth, and results — moving beyond the buzz to real business impact.

Learn more here

IRS Priority Guidance Released

On September 30, the IRS released its Priority Guidance Plan laying out the agency’s priorities through June 30, 2026. Independent Sector closely tracks regulations that impact the nonprofit sector and will share updates in Snapshot throughout the next year.

Learn more here

Government Employees Guide to Pay and Benefits During a Government Shutdown

Learn more here

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.

2026 Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant

Amount: $50,000

Deadline: October 26th

Learn more here

The Chocolate History Grant provides a minimum of $50,000 to support projects that explore chocolate’s role in global history, culture, and innovation. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, individual researchers, and K-12 educators in the U.S. who can demonstrate the educational impact of their proposals.

Nourish DC Grant – Now Open!

Amount: Various

Deadline: November 2nd

Learn more here

If you are a for-profit food business located in Washington DC and looking to grow your business, apply for the 2025 Nourish DC Grant today!

$450,000 in grants are available with a preference for businesses that are locally owned, increase access to healthy food, create quality jobs, and that are located in neighborhoods lacking access to grocery stores.

Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero Program

Amount: Up to $20,000

Deadline: November 14th

Learn more here

Intuit awards grants to U.S. small businesses with owners aged 18 or older that show courage, perseverance, and integrity. Three winners are chosen each quarter and receive both funding and resources to help grow their business.

GrubHub/ACE National Restaurant Accelerator Grant

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: October 24th

Learn more here

National ACE, in partnership with Grubhub, is proud to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 Restaurant Accelerator and Community Fund Grant, a program made possible by grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund.

Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)

Amount: $500

Program Date: October 28th-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!

Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grant

Amount: up to $5,000

Deadline: November 4th

Learn more here 

The Rauschenberg Medical Emergency Grant provides funding of up to $5,000 for artists experiencing recent and unexpected medical, dental, or mental health emergencies. Join the VSBDR Disaster Preparedness Webinar Series.

Tory Burch Fellows Foundation

Amount: Business Support Services

Deadline: November 11th

Learn more here

The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program connects extraordinary women entrepreneurs with the essential tools to scale, lead and shape the economy. Most importantly, Fellows engage with decision-makers and founders who are committed to growing together and building with intention.

DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE)  Small & Accessible Sustainability (SAS) Subgrants program.

Amount: $5,000-$20,000

Deadline: November 15th

Learn more here

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement and the Department of Energy and Environment have partnered to launch the Small & Accessible Sustainability Subgrants program. This innovative initiative is designed to advance the District’s sustainability, zero waste, donation and reuse, and urban agriculture goals while directly supporting small, new, and historically-excluded organizations

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.

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

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.

ID Compliance

October 20

Learn more here

Salesforce Support Hours

October 20th, 12:00pm

November 17, 12:00pm

Learn More

Protecting Your Business Identity: Registered Agent

October 21st at 12:00pm

Learn more here

Rebooting Your Business After a Crisis – Internal Recovery

October 21st, 2:00pm

Learn more here

LEDC Level Up Small Business Stimulus Accelerator

October 23rd, 9:30-4:00pm

In-Person/Free

Learn more here

Questions You Should Ask Your Banker

October 23rd, 12:00pm 

Learn more here 

Master E-Commerce with FedEx: Optimizing Your Product Listings to Drive Sales

October 29th, 1:00pm

Learn more here

Ascend Beauty 2025 Information Session

October 30th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Beyond Formation: Making the Most of Your LLC or Corporation

October 30th, 3:00pm

Learn more here

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

Register Here

SCORE October Small Business Webinars

Learn more here ($10/each)

Small Business Resource Hub: DCSmallBizHelp.com

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. From licensing and registration to workshops and one-on-one assistance, BRC is here to make your journey into entrepreneurship smoother and more accessible. Explore below to see upcoming opportunities.

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

Verizon/LISC Small Business Resources

Strengthen your loan application readiness

Building remote work into your business: Tools to keep your team connected

Planning for the unexpected: Building resiliency into your business

Business Articles

Annual Marketing Budget Template

Benefits of Joining Your Local Chamber of Commerce

Budgeting Basics for Small Business Owners

Essential Techniques for Training in Time Management Skills

FTC: Emergency Planning and Avoiding Disaster-Related Scams

Improving Business Processes: A Step-by-Step Guide

New Hire Paperwork & Documentation

Simple Steps to Choosing the Right Financing

Simple Tips for Managing Your Finances

Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing AI in Your Small Business

Strategies to Increase Seasonal or Holiday Sales

Understanding Financial Statements: The Balance Sheet, Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement

IRS National Preparedness Month

IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief

Learn more here

Small Business Scam Impersonators: Tips to Combat

IRS Work Opportunity Tax Credit

IRS Form 8850 Pre-Screening Notice

Learn more here

IRS Tax Educational Assistance Programs

IRS Educational Assistance Programs

Learn more here

New Retirement Solution for Solo Entrepreneurs

JPMorganChase just launched a Solo 401(k), a retirement solution for the self-employed and solo entrepreneurs expanding its existing Everyday 401(k) program. S

Learn more here

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.