Chinatown Lease Incentive Grant Program

The Chinatown Lease Incentive Grant Program is administered by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) for the District of Columbia. The program is intended to strengthen and preserve the Chinatown neighborhood by supporting businesses that contribute to the area’s cultural identity and economic vitality. The grant opportunity is offered under DMPED’s grant-making authority established through the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Limited Grant-Making Authority Act of 2012. The initiative reflects the District’s interest in maintaining Chinatown as a culturally significant commercial district while encouraging long-term tenancy and neighborhood investment by small businesses. The program provides grant funding to small businesses that either currently hold or intend to enter into a long-term commercial lease of at least five years within the designated Chinatown neighborhood boundaries in Washington, DC. Eligible businesses must demonstrate that their operations maintain or enhance the cultural heritage of Chinatown. The notice specifically references businesses offering retail services, educational programming, entertainment, food services, or other culturally aligned activities. Preference may be given to food markets, grocery stores, and businesses that improve fresh food access in the neighborhood. Applicants must also demonstrate that the commercial property associated with the application is located within the approved Chinatown geographic area identified by the District’s mapping resource. For Fiscal Year 2026, DMPED expects to distribute up to $125,000 in total grant funding across up to five awards. Individual awards are anticipated to range from $10,000 to $125,000. The funding may be used either to offset rental costs associated with the commercial lease or to support eligible tenant improvements within the leased property. Award recipients may receive grant funding annually for up to five years, subject to the continued availability of appropriated funds, annual recertification requirements, confirmation that the lease remains active, and compliance with the terms and conditions established in the grant agreement. The notice does not identify any matching fund requirement or cost share obligation for applicants. To qualify, applicants must be registered as either for-profit or nonprofit entities in the District of Columbia and must remain in good standing with the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, the Office of Tax and Revenue, and the Department of Employment Services. For-profit entities must either already be certified business enterprises or be eligible for certification. Eligible businesses must employ fewer than 30 full-time employees and must either sign or intend to sign a commercial lease with a minimum term of five years. The grant is specifically intended for businesses whose activities contribute to the preservation or enhancement of Chinatown’s cultural heritage. Additional eligibility and evaluation criteria will be provided in the full Request for Applications release. The application process begins with the release of the Notice of Funding Availability on May 1, 2026, followed by the official Request for Applications release on May 15, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically in accordance with the instructions outlined in the RFA. The submission deadline is June 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. DMPED states that late applications will not be accepted. The agency also plans to host both virtual and in-person information sessions for prospective applicants, with additional details to be posted on the DMPED grant opportunities webpage. The notice does not identify a required letter of intent, concept paper, or other pre-application gating requirement. Applications will undergo an initial completeness screening before proceeding to review by a scoring panel. Final funding decisions will be made by the Deputy Mayor after considering review panel recommendations, available funding, budget priorities, the goal of maintaining community balance, and the broader objectives of the program. DMPED anticipates completing application reviews within approximately forty-five days following the submission deadline. Award determinations are final and are not subject to appeal. The agency reserves the right to amend or rescind the notice or request for applications at its sole discretion. Questions regarding the program may be directed to Kavya Balaji through the official DMPED contact channels, including the program email address bizdev@dc.gov and the agency phone number at (202) 727-6365.

Emphasize how the business preserves or enhances Chinatown cultural heritage and demonstrate long-term operational commitment through a qualifying lease. Applicants offering grocery, fresh food, or culturally significant services may receive preference.