The Bridge Fund (previously referred to as Small Business Rent Relief & COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant Program) is a non-competitive grant program that will award eligible small businesses with consideration to core expenses, economic distress, location, length of revenue-generating operations, and District resident employment

Access the Application Here!

Grant Information Update
Applications will open for the next round of the Bridge Fund on Saturday, February 26, and close on Friday, March 18 at 5:00 PM EST. Businesses that missed the opportunity to apply previously will have the opportunity to apply for funding in this next round.

Please note: Businesses that apply in either round need to demonstrate at least a 20% loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the period April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021 (modified from 30% previously).

Award
Awards will range from $20,0000-$100,000
                 

Use of Award
Business rent/mortgage (at least 50% of the award must be applied to rent)

• Payroll and labor

• Inventory (supplies but not merchandise for sale)

• Operating expenses

Eligible Businesses
The Bridge Fund will be open to businesses that meet the following criteria:

• A small business in the restaurant, retail, or entertainment sector

• For-profit, small business physically located in the DC at a brick-and-mortar location

• Generated no more than $5 million in gross receipts each in 2019, 2020, and 2021 (priority for businesses generating no more than $2.5 million)

• Experienced at least a 20% loss of revenue as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the period April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021 (changed from 30% previously)

• Has an active DC Basic Business License and an active ABRA License, if applicable

• Businesses that applied during the previous period of the Bridge Fund (that closed February 25) are not eligible to apply during the next period (closing March 18 at 5:00 PM EST)

• The Bridge Fund will prioritize businesses that have not received federal relief funds and microbusinesses with $2.5 million or less in revenue. Businesses that received awards from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) are eligible to apply.

Access the Application Here

The application deadline is Friday, March 18 at 5:00 ET.

Information Sessions and Technical Assistance 
DMPED will host in-person office hours to assist businesses who have questions about the application. Look for more information on ObviouslyDC.com. 

Questions
For questions regarding the grant and application, please contact thebri...@dc.gov.   

For more resources and information on additional FY22 business funding opportunities visit ObviouslyDC.com.