Best Grants for Children in District of Columbia

Early-stage, impact-first nonprofits and mission-driven startups in the District of Columbia can apply for Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation’s support, with awards up to US $300,000 for scalable social and environmental solutions. Youth- and child-focused organizations serving underserved communities may be eligible if they are post-pilot, under 10 years old, and poised for significant growth.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a) public charities offering youth and family programs in the District of Columbia can seek support for education, health, human services, arts, and related initiatives. Focused on community enrichment, Delaplaine Foundation invites applications for projects with long-term benefits and measurable results, especially those serving children and families.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving children’s health and well-being in the District of Columbia can access funding through the Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust. Grants of more than US $10,000 support pediatric care, children with disabilities, mental health, neonatal care, and cancer care for DC residents, with a preference for DC-based organizations.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation that benefits children or youth in the District of Columbia can seek US $10,000 - US $50,000 in recoverable support for case expenses. Focused on social, environmental, economic, and racial justice, the Impact Fund prioritizes systemic cases and out-of-pocket litigation costs, not salaries or overhead.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and youth in the District of Columbia can seek funding for health care, medical research, abused and neglected children, at-risk youth and families, and humanitarian services. Grants from Gratis Foundation help support impactful programs in areas like children’s medical needs, foster care, domestic abuse, homelessness, and related services.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Grants from the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation help District of Columbia youth-serving nonprofits fund programs for children, youth, and families, including academic success, after-school enrichment, and youth development. Eligible 501(c)(3) public charities serving DC-area residents can request US $10,000 - US $250,000 for services that improve outcomes for vulnerable and underserved young people.

Early childhood education providers and youth-serving organizations in the District of Columbia can apply for the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Birth through Five subgrant to implement evidence-based literacy programs for young children. Grants from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education support comprehensive literacy plans, high-quality professional development, and family literacy initiatives, with priority for programs serving low-income families and other disadvantaged children.

K-12 education entities in the District of Columbia can apply for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development subgrant; awards up to US $39,820,992 for evidence-based literacy initiatives. Programs serving children in grades K-5 and 6-12, especially in high-need schools, may be eligible to strengthen literacy instruction and family engagement.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and families in the Washington, D.C. metro area, including the District of Columbia, can apply for $30,000 - $75,000 from the Philip L. Graham Fund for one-time projects, capital needs, or select program and operating support. Youth-focused programs in education, health and human services, arts, and community endeavors may be competitive.

District of Columbia youth-serving nonprofits can access funding through Impact100 DC for high-impact projects in arts and culture, education, family support, environment, and health and wellness. 501(c)(3) organizations in the DC metro area with revenues between $300,000 and $5 million can apply for a US $100,000 grant to address unmet needs from systemic inequities affecting children and families.

Youth-serving organizations in the District of Columbia can seek funding to deliver four weeks of extended summer programming for 50 youth ages 10 to 13, emphasizing recreation, enrichment, and safety. Grants from DC Department of Parks and Recreation support arts, technology, physical activity, STEM/STEAM, and creative youth development in underserved communities.

Federally Qualified Health Centers in the District of Columbia can apply for the Department of Behavioral Health’s Buprenorphine Drug Assistance Program, with awards of more than US $35,000 to provide medication for opioid use disorder to low-income clients lacking adequate coverage. Programs serving youth with substance use disorders may be eligible if they meet these criteria.

District of Columbia youth-serving organizations addressing opioid or stimulant use disorders can access funding through the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health to deliver hospital-based peer support services. This DC Opioid Response program offers up to US $500,000 to support prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services for children, youth, and adults receiving care in participating hospitals.

District of Columbia nonprofits serving children, youth, women, and families in socioeconomic need can access funding through Many Hands for programs in education, health, housing, and economic empowerment. 501(c)(3) organizations with $500,000–$6 million budgets and at least five years of operations receive unrestricted support for operating, program, or capital expenses benefiting the DC metro area.

Nonprofit or community organizations providing lead poisoning prevention education to expectant and new parents in the District of Columbia can access funding through the District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment. This approximately US $67,281 grant supports community health education on environmental health risks for children, especially ages 0–6, and related outreach activities.

Focused on HIV early intervention, eligible District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health–certified substance use disorder providers can apply for up to US $13,000 from the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health. Funding supports HIV counseling, screening/testing, data monitoring, and linkage to treatment for individuals seeking behavioral health and substance use services, including youth.

Nonprofit or public health-focused organizations in the District of Columbia can seek funding to expand food access and improve food environments for low-income residents through farmers’ market produce incentives. The District of Columbia Department of Health provides District programs with US $2,100,000 to implement evidence-based or evidence-informed community health and nutrition strategies that may benefit children and youth.

Local educational agencies serving homeless children and youth in the District of Columbia can apply for FY27 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance funding to support school enrollment, attendance, and success. Administered by District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency, these grants back educational access and related services for youth experiencing homelessness.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children and families in the District of Columbia can seek project-specific funding to prevent and mitigate adverse childhood experiences and promote protective experiences. Grants from Amerihealth Caritas Foundation provide US $100,000 - US $150,000 for community-led programs focused on healing behaviors, health care access, and empowering families in high-Medicaid communities.

Certified substance use disorder providers in the District of Columbia can receive up to US $13,000 to deliver HIV early intervention services, including counseling, screening/testing, data collection, and linkage to care. Grants from the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health help local youth-serving and family-focused providers integrate HIV prevention within behavioral health treatment settings.

District of Columbia youth-serving nonprofits offering out-of-school time programs can access funding through the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education to expand high-quality after-school and summer services. Grants up to US $350,000 support programs for children and youth during critical after-school hours and across summer months.

Local educational agencies in the District of Columbia can seek funding to improve enrollment, attendance, and school success for children and youth experiencing homelessness. With a mission to support homeless students, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education provides grants to address their educational and related needs through authorized activities in participating schools.

Nonprofit arts, humanities, arts education, and service organizations in the District of Columbia can receive funding for arts and humanities education projects that engage children, youth, and older adults. Focused on arts and humanities education, DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities invites projects that support academic achievement and align with local and national learning standards, with awards up to US $30,000.