What it is

The Coalition is a Washington, DC community economic development organization that uses its cross-sector network and convening power to address inequity in under-resourced DC communities. It was formed in 2000 through a merger of the Coalition of Nonprofit Housing Developers and the Coalition of Economic Development Organizations, and operated for years as the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED). In 2025, its 25th anniversary year, it became simply The Coalition. Its long-running focus is economic mobility for District residents through affordable housing and inclusive economic development.

What it offers founders

The Coalition's small business ecosystem work centers on three areas:

  • Navigating resources: it created and manages DCSmallBizHelp, a directory of DC support and advisory programs, financing and grants, government services, technical assistance providers, lenders and corridor revitalization organizations.
  • Coordination: it acts as a liaison among small businesses, support organizations, government agencies and community lenders, using working groups, surveys and convenings to streamline access to services.
  • Convening: it hosts informational and educational events, including Small Business Month, for networking, training and business-to-business relationships.

Through the DC Community Anchor Partnership (DCAP), it also works with anchor institutions and local suppliers, which can be relevant to founders selling to large local buyers.

Who it is for

The Coalition serves District small businesses, especially those in under-resourced communities, along with the nonprofits, developers, lenders and service providers that support them. Most of its programs are designed for organizations, so individual founders will typically engage through DCSmallBizHelp, events and DCAP rather than direct one-on-one advising.

How to engage

Founders can search DCSmallBizHelp for programs and funding, subscribe to the Coalition newsletter for small business updates and the DCSmallBizHelp calendar, attend events listed on the trainings and events page, or request DCAP resources access. Organizations can review membership benefits on the Coalition website. The office is at 727 15th St., NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005, and can be reached at 202.745.0902 or info@cnhed.org.

Why it matters in the DMV ecosystem

DC has many separate small business support providers, and the Coalition's role is to connect them. For a founder new to the District, DCSmallBizHelp is a practical starting point for finding the right technical assistance provider or lender, and the Coalition's convenings bring together the agencies and organizations that shape local small business policy.