RAMW Hospitality Technical Assistance MicroGrant Program – Frequently Asked Questions

Due to the overwhelming response, unfortunately, we are unable to accept additional submissions at this time.

 

1. What is the Hospitality Technical Assistance Micro-grant program?

The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is awarding $100,000 in microgrants, up to $5,000, to restaurants across the District of Columbia.

Funding comes from a Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) workforce development and technical assistance grant and is intended to help restaurants strengthen their workforce and operations.

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2. Who is eligible to apply?

  • Independently owned or locally operated restaurants located in the District of Columbia.
  • Must be an active RAMW member or willing to join prior to funding.
  • Must hold a valid DC business license and be in good standing with all District agencies (OTR, ABCA, DLCP, etc.).
  • Must have at least one paid employee other than the owner.

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3. What can the funds be used for?

Funds must be spent on workforce development and/or technical assistance.

Eligible uses include—but are not limited to—the following with a detailed explanation of how the expense supports workforce development:

  • Staff training & certifications – food safety, alcohol service, management or leadership training, language/ESL courses, customer-service or conflict-resolution workshops.
  • Apprenticeships & internships – wages or stipends for culinary or hospitality training programs.
  • Technology & systems upgrades – POS equipment, payroll/scheduling software, reservation systems, or online ordering platforms.
  • Digital marketing & e-commerce – website redesign, photography/video for staff training or menu innovation, social media strategy.
  • Regulatory & compliance support – HR or legal consulting to meet labor, wage, or immigration requirements.
  • Employee support services – transportation stipends, wellness or mental-health programs directly tied to retention or training.

Applicants may also request funds for the following if they can clearly link the expense to workforce development or technical assistance:

  • Food & Beverage – ingredients used in staff training or menu-development sessions.
  • Labor (payroll, benefits, transportation) – wages or benefits tied to training time or retention initiatives.
  • Rent – maintaining space for on-site training or technical-assistance activities.
  • Utilities – electricity, internet, or other utilities necessary for training technology or equipment.
  • Marketing/Advertising – targeted campaigns that drive traffic to sustain jobs or highlight training-driven service improvements.
  • Repairs & Maintenance – equipment repairs critical to employee safety, training, or operational continuity.

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4. What expenses are not eligible?

Routine operating expenses that cannot be tied to workforce development or technical assistance (for example, alcohol purchases for resale, personal expenses, or debt repayment) are not eligible.

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5. How much funding can a restaurant receive?

Each award will be up to $5,000. RAMW may award less than the requested amount depending on demand and available funds.

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6. What documentation is required?

Applicants must provide:

  • A detailed budget showing how funds will be used.
  • A narrative explanation linking each expense to workforce development or technical assistance.
  • Copies of required DC licenses and certificates of good standing.

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7. How are recipients selected?

Applications will be reviewed by RAMW based on:

  • Alignment of proposed expenses with workforce/technical-assistance goals.
  • Potential impact on employee retention, training, or operational improvement.
  • Completeness of the application and supporting documentation.

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8. What is the timeline?

  • Applications open: September 19, 2025
  • Applications close: September 30, 2025
  • Awards announced: On a rolling basis through September 30, 2025
  • Funds distributed: On a rolling basis through September 30, 2025

All awarded funds must be spent and documented by September 30, 2025.

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9. Are matching funds required?

No. Matching funds are not required, but applicants may include other funding sources in their budgets.

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10. How will reporting work?

Awardees must submit a brief final report (template provided by RAMW) and receipts or invoices showing how funds were used for approved purposes.

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11. Where can I ask additional questions?

Email relief@ramw.org. 

 

Apply here