As you may have seen from RAMW’s ongoing correspondence, DC launched its most recent pandemic relief fund today, and applications are now open for this new Bridge Fund Grant. This is another pot of federal money made available by the city to DC-based small businesses in the restaurant, retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors that grossed less than $5M each year in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The grant is available whether your business was operating pre-pandemic or opened mid-pandemic.
Important: Clients that received RRF funding are ineligible for this grant.
In addition to the basic requirement that businesses must have experienced a 30% reduction in revenue during the pandemic, the other eligibility requirements are as follows:
My Business is a for profit business at a physical location in the District
My Business has an active DC Basic Business License and an active ABRA License, if applicable
My Business is currently in operation unless mandated otherwise by public health guidance
My Business is able to provide a Clean Hands Certificate at the time of application and dated within 90 days of the application date.
My Business generated no more than $5 million in gross receipts each (sales) in 2019, 2020, and 2021
The process is slightly frustrating, as we discovered with our first application - many elements require ownership input such as an image of the business owner’s valid photo ID, current Certificate of Occupancy, current Clean Hands Certificate, and a Self Certification by the applicant. Your Harmony team will be here to support you throughout the grant application process, but due to the information and certification requirements, our clients will need to directly prepare and file the grant applications. Reach out as you begin the applications so your Harmony team members know you are working on them - we will need to pull reports for your use in the applications.
See the Full Bridge Fund Application Guide
If you believe you are eligible for this grant, please begin the process as soon as you’re able, and reach out to your Harmony team member if you need any help with any aspect of the application. The applications need to be submitted between January 24th and February 24th at 5:00PM / EST, so you have several weeks to complete the applications.
As always, stay tuned to the blog and to Harmony’s newsletter for ongoing updates, advice, and breaking tax news.