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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!

This is a reminder to make sure that you are compliant with fire and safety codes as we approach the colder months of the year and DC Fire and EMS Department (FEMS) conducts safety inspections. You can learn more at: https://fems.dc.gov/service/business-inspection-service

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

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.

LEDC Level Up Small Business Stimulus Accelerator

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

In-Person/Free

Learn more here

Join LEDC’s Level Up – a free in-person, one-day accelerator will teach you how to scale your business, strengthen your finances, lead effective teams, and more through hands-on training.

Government Employees Guide to Pay and Benefits During a Government Shutdown

Learn more here

IRS Work Opportunity Tax Credit

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a federal tax credit available to businesses that hire employees from groups who consistently face significant barriers to employment – available until Dec 31, 2025.

IRS Form 8850 Pre-Screening Notice

Learn more here

IRS Tax Educational Assistance Programs

Small business employers can use educational assistance programs to provide tax-free help to employees with undergraduate or graduate-level student loan debt and other education expenses. The program covers a variety of things such as:

Books – Equipment – Supplies – Tuition and other fees – Qualified education loans

IRS Educational Assistance Programs

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.

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.

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 Community Grant Program

Learn more here

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.

ABCA Alcohol Licensing 101

October 7th, 10:00am

Learn  more here

Cash Flow Planning

October 7th, 12:00pm
Learn more here

Keeping Your Business Safe

October 7th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

DCSDBC Metro Washington 2025 Small Business Expo

October 8th, 8:30am-4:00pm

Learn more here

Fund Your Future: How to Secure and Strategically Use a Business Loan

October 8th, 1:00pm

Learn more here

Ensuring ADA Compliance & Accessibility for Small Business Websites

October 9th, 3:00pm

Learn more here

DC Pro Bono Law Center

Free Legal Clinic for Small Employers: Hiring & On-Boarding DC Employees

October 15th, 10:15am

Learn more here

Start a Food Business: The Regulatory Basics

October 15th, 3:00pm

Learn more here

Optimizing Loan Utilization & Financial Stability: Maximize Funding

October 16th, 10:00am

Learn more here

Loan Ready: Make your Small Business a Great Funding Prospect

October 16th, 12:00pm

Learn more here

Rebooting Your Business After a Crisis – Internal Recovery

October 21st, 2:00pm

Learn more here

Beyond Formation: Making the Most of Your LLC or Corporation

October 30th, 3:00pm

Learn more here

SCORE October Small Business Webinars

$10/each

Learn more here

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

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

IRS National Preparedness Month

Disaster readiness starts with safeguarding critical documents, recording valuables and knowing how to access IRS support. When the government declares a federal disaster, the IRS often delays filing and payment deadlines. The IRS automatically applies the relief based on the address of record the IRS has for the taxpayer. Request assistance by calling 866-562-5227.

IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief

Learn more here

Small Business Scam Impersonators: Tips to Combat

FTC: Emergency Planning and Avoiding Disaster-Related Scams

Learn more here

New Hire Paperwork & Documentation

Learn more here

Essential Techniques for Training in Time Management Skills

Improving Business Processes: A Step-by-Step Guide

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

DISB Insurance Scams to watch out for:

Stolen Premiums – Fake Insurance – Unneeded Coverage

Churning – Sliding – Twisting

How to Protect Yourself

Verify the agent and insurer are licensed in DC: Check here

If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to:

DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division: 202.727.8000

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: IC3.gov or call 202.278.2000

Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud@ftc.gov

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.