Best Grants for Children in District of Columbia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Educational Spaces

For I/DD serving school programs with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) attached needing property improvements or equipment/resource purchases to better serve their students with I/DD.

The FCIDD Nonprofit Project Grants are designed to support 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across various states. Grants are awarded for projects that enhance accessibility, provide educational opportunities, and promote community engagement. The foundation encourages collaboration with local Civitan clubs, particularly in October and March funding rounds, while also offering open applications in July. The initiative aims to empower nonprofits to improve the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The FCIDD was founded for the purpose of providing support to organizations that serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mission Statement: The Foundation supports organizations which enhance the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by promoting research, projects, education and advocacy. 

Nonprofit Project Grants

The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD) funds 501(c)(3) organizations working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, primarily in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. 

Funding Priorities

• Grants will be awarded for the purpose of primarily benefiting, including, or increasing accessibility for individuals with intellectual or development disabilities.
• Grants may be awarded for scholarships or training personnel in the care and education of individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. 
• Grants shall mainly be distributed to a Charity whose primary purpose or whose project is to support individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. A Charity which has a project to benefit individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities based on financial need shall be awarded the grant money based upon its own objective criteria and without any special preference to members of Civitan or members of their family.

Grant Categories

A grant application typically fits into one of the following categories: Accessibility & Engagement; Educational Spaces; Program Area Improvements; Outreach and Education 

Program Area Improvements

For I/DD specific 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) looking to add/improve programming potential via equipment and property improvements, updates and additions.

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.

District of Columbia Prevention Centers (DCPC)

Overview

The Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Behavioral Health, Children and Youth Services Division is soliciting applications from qualified organizations to implement and establish one of four (4) DC Prevention Centers. This solicitation includes one (1) application opportunity under the District of Columbia Prevention Centers (DCPC).

This initiative is funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, & Recovery Services Block Grant (SUPTRS) and the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant.

The District of Columbia Opioid Response (DCOR) grant, guided by LIVE.LONG.DC., the District’s Plan to Reduce Opioid Use, Misuse, and Related Deaths (LLDC), is focused on increasing access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment, reducing unmet treatment needs, and reducing opioid overdose-related deaths in the District of Columbia through the provision of overdose prevention, treatment, and recovery support services (RSS) to individuals with OUD and/or STUD.

This initiative addresses the following LLDC goals:

• PC. 1: Provide age-appropriate, evidence-based, education and prevention initiatives in all public schools and public charter schools regarding the risk of illegal drug use, prescription drug misuse, and safe disposal of medications
• PC 2: Conduct outreach and training activities in community settings to engage youth, parents, educators, school staff, and childcare providers on effective communication and engagement strategies to support individuals impacted by substance use disorders.
• PC 3: Coordinate across stakeholders, wards, and jurisdictional/regional areas to connect consumers, review data, and inform progress

The goal of the DCPCs is to prevent the early onset of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use, including stimulants and opioids, while reducing risk and increasing protective factors for children, youth, families, and adults. The geographical locations and coverage areas for the DCPCs are: one (1) serving Wards 1 & 2, one (1) serving Wards 3 & 4, one (1) serving Wards 5 & 6, and one (1) serving Wards 7 & 8.

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.

Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation

The Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation goes beyond food aid to create lasting change. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships and volunteer action, Stop Hunger tackles the root causes of food insecurity.

In 2025, Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and the Hunger Center awarded grants to 131 programs representing 118 communities in 37 states plus the District of Columbia. Collectively, these programs provided an estimated 22,000 backpacks full of shelf-stable food items for students to take home for the weekend or holidays when school meals are not served.

Since 2006, the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation has been a driving force behind weekend and holiday hunger relief for students across the U.S. Through support of food backpack programs, the Foundation partners with local food banks and schools to discreetly provide K-12 students with backpacks filled with nutritious, shelf-stable meals. These backpacks are distributed in safe, familiar settings – typically on the last school day before a weekend or school break – ensuring that all children who rely on free or reduced-price school meals don’t go hungry when school is out.

K-12 Backpack Grant

The K-12 Backpack Grant is an initiative launched by the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation and administered in partnership with the Congressional Hunger Center to support community backpack programs. Grants of $1,000 will be issued to community organizations with established backpack feeding programs that provide students with shelf-stable, nutritious meals when school is out of session.