Vitality Fund

The Vitality Fund is administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) within the Government of the District of Columbia. The program is authorized under the Vitality Fund Act of 2024 and is designed as a strategic economic development tool to attract, retain, and expand businesses within Washington, DC. Through a competitive Request for Applications process, DMPED provides performance-based grants to organizations that demonstrate a strong potential to contribute to the District’s economic growth, particularly through job creation, capital investment, and long-term occupancy of commercial office space. The primary objective of the Vitality Fund is to support large and established companies that are considering relocation to or expansion within Washington, DC. The program places particular emphasis on revitalizing the Downtown core and diversifying the District’s economic base by encouraging companies in high-growth sectors such as technology, life sciences, consulting, communications, and financial technology. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed project will have a significant positive economic impact, including measurable outcomes such as new job creation, increased tax revenue, and long-term occupancy commitments. Funding under the program totals 6,000,000 dollars and is expected to be distributed across multiple awards. Individual award amounts are not fixed and will vary depending on the scale and impact of the proposed project. Grants are performance-based and disbursed over a three-year period, contingent upon the achievement of milestones such as job creation targets. Eligible uses of funds include operational costs, rent subsidies or down payment assistance for commercial space, tenant improvements, workforce training, and recruitment and hiring expenses. All expenditures must align with statutory requirements and program guidelines. Eligibility for the Vitality Fund is limited to for-profit and nonprofit organizations that plan to occupy commercial space in Washington, DC. Applicants are expected to commit to occupying at least 15,000 square feet for a minimum of five years, creating at least 30 new jobs over three years, and investing at least 2,000,000 dollars in capital improvements, although these thresholds are preferences rather than strict minimums. Additional requirements include demonstrating site control, maintaining compliance with District regulatory agencies, and ensuring that employees are physically present at the worksite for at least 50 percent of their work hours. Applicants must also meet community benefit requirements by either participating in workforce development initiatives for DC residents or committing at least 5 percent of annual contracting to certified local business enterprises. For awards exceeding 300,000 dollars, recipients must comply with First Source hiring requirements, ensuring that at least 51 percent of new hires are DC residents. These provisions are intended to ensure that the benefits of the program extend to local communities and contribute to inclusive economic growth. The application process begins with the submission of an Eligibility Intake Form, which collects key information about the company, proposed project, and anticipated economic impact. Applicants deemed eligible are invited to submit a full application through the Submittable platform, including detailed narratives on company background, project scope, job creation, and capital investment. Required attachments include financial statements, tax documentation, business licenses, and compliance certifications. Applications are reviewed through a multi-phase process including pre-screening, panel evaluation, and final approval by the Deputy Mayor. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning February 6, 2026, with a final submission deadline of July 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. DMPED anticipates a review period of approximately 45 days following submission. The program includes ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements, and recipients may be subject to audits and site visits. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the DMPED Business Development team via email at bizdev@dc.gov or by phone at (202) 727-6365.

Prioritize strong job creation metrics and capital investment details as they carry the highest scoring weight; demonstrate clear economic impact and readiness with site control documentation; ensure all required attachments are complete to pass pre-screening