Best Grants for International Development in District of Columbia

501(c)(3) public charities serving residents of the District of Columbia can seek funding for community services, education, arts and humanities, environment, and health and wellness programs. The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation offers US $10,000 - US $250,000 to nonprofits improving outcomes for vulnerable and underserved DC-area residents through direct services, advocacy, and capacity building.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations in the greater Chicago area can seek McGraw Foundation’s US $2,000 - US $10,000 grants for education, human services, health, conservation, and cultural programs. With a mission to strengthen communities, McGraw Foundation provides flexible support that may benefit groups engaged in international development-related work in District of Columbia and beyond.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the District of Columbia working on human services, legal aid, education, workforce development, health, environment, or arts and culture can seek general operating or project support. Focused on community well-being, Venable Foundation offers approximately US $10,000 to place-based programs serving economically disadvantaged residents, which may include internationally focused development work based locally.

District of Columbia graduate students researching drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can access funding through the American Water Works Association’s Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship. This US $3,000 award supports research that delivers actionable, timely outcomes for current water industry challenges, which may benefit organizations engaged in international development and clean water initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving District of Columbia residents can access funding through the Philip L. Graham Fund for one-time capital, equipment, and other project needs. Grants of US $30,000 - US $75,000 support direct services in health and human services, education, arts and humanities, and community endeavors, which may benefit international development-focused programming based in the region.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools working on environmental programs in the District of Columbia can seek US $25,000 - US $100,000 for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient resource use projects. With a mission to support sustainable communities, American Honda Motor provides programmatic support for initiatives like energy efficiency upgrades, solar or wind installations, recycling, and composting that benefit its U.S. operations communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving residents in the Washington, DC metropolitan area can apply for Impact100 DC’s US $100,000 grant to launch or expand significant community projects. Grants from Impact100 DC help District of Columbia groups working in arts and culture, education, environment, family support, and health and wellness, especially for historically underserved populations.

Nonprofit and community organizations running arts, education, environmental, or health and wellness projects or events in the District of Columbia can apply for support from Stantec. Focused on community engagement, Stantec invites eligible groups near its offices to request funding for short- or long-term initiatives, including scholarships, cultural programming, and sustainability efforts that strengthen local communities.

Nonprofit organizations supporting community services, health access, poverty alleviation, or environmental resilience in the District of Columbia can apply for TD Charitable Foundation’s regional grants of more than US $5,000. Programs serving diverse, historically underserved, or low-to-moderate income populations may be especially competitive and could include international development components tied to these priorities.

Nonprofit organizations supporting women and children through humanitarian aid, education, health care, or economic self-sufficiency can apply for The Father's Table Foundation’s grants, with awards up to US $750,000. International development groups in District of Columbia working on issues like food security, clean water, microfinance, or anti-trafficking may be eligible.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in the District of Columbia can apply for NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards to support small-scale biomedical research projects and student research experiences, with awards up to US $375,000. Eligible institutions must grant baccalaureate science degrees and have limited prior NIH funding across non-health professional schools.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and qualifying public entities working on education, hunger, health, disaster relief, or environmental programs in the District of Columbia can seek project support, typically US $2,500 - US $10,000. Focused on community and environmental needs, International Paper Company Foundation invites organizations in its operating communities to apply, including those with international development components.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on economic opportunity or affordable housing in the District of Columbia can access funding through the Neighborhood Builders Program, which also includes a two-year leadership development experience. Grants from Bank of America Charitable Foundation help build capacity for income creation, workforce readiness, small business resiliency, and stable, affordable housing services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving District of Columbia residents can seek program or general operating support for arts, environmental, medical research, or veterans initiatives. Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation supports projects in visual and performing arts, environmental ingenuity, high-mortality disease research, and services for wounded and returning veterans through its general grants program.

Early-career research scientists at low- or middle-income country academic or research institutions can seek approximately US $140,000 to support mentored global health research and protected career development time. Focused on clinical and biomedical fields, the Emerging Global Leader Award from the National Institutes of Health may benefit D.C.-based partners collaborating with LMIC investigators on international development-related health projects.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in eligible low- and middle-income countries can seek approximately US $140,000 in mentored health research career development support, including for international development-related health priorities. The National Institutes of Health’s Fogarty Emerging Global Leader Award supports three to five years of protected research time under LMIC and U.S. mentorship.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations can seek US $5,000 - US $20,000 for education-focused programs and related youth, arts, community, environmental, or historic preservation initiatives from the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust. While national in scope, organizations in District of Columbia working on international development with strong educational components may be competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the District of Columbia can seek support for healthcare-related conferences, charitable events, and education programs. With a mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life, Medtronic provides funding for medical education, public education, and related activities that may complement international development and global health efforts.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the District of Columbia serving underprivileged children, people experiencing homelessness, or the elderly can apply for Cloudbreak Foundation’s grants of US $5,000 - US $20,000 for specific programs providing direct care or services. Organizations in international development that also meet these human-services priorities may be eligible, with preference for the broader Washington, D.C. metro area.

The Joseph Robert Foundation Grant provides essential funding for non-profit organizations focused on the arts, animal welfare, and environmental protection. Based in Pennsylvania, the foundation prioritizes smaller local organizations in the mid-Atlantic region, offering grants typically under $10,000. It encourages innovative projects and supports first-time grant seekers, prioritizing those with limited resources. Organizations can apply for general operating support or specific project funding to further their missions and impact their communities.

Biogen Corporate Sponsorships provide funding to support congresses, events, and initiatives in exchange for tangible benefits such as marketing opportunities and recognition. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and requests must be submitted 50 days in advance. Biogen considers various disease areas for sponsorship, including Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Approval depends on funding availability, alignment with interests, and event details, ensuring transparency for all potential sponsors.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Recent Retirees

Retirees of Regions and its affiliated companies are eligible for the Matching Gift Program for up to 5 years after retirement (the gift date must be within the first 5 years of retirement). Regions will match donations of $25 or more, up to a total of $1,000 per year per retiree.

The Regions Community Affairs team will contact the organization on your behalf to verify the gift and review eligibility.

The Clif Family Foundation Open Call invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for grants supporting general operating costs or specific projects. With a focus on regenerative farming, food worker health, climate justice, and food access, the foundation aims to empower grassroots initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications reviewed twice a year. Deadlines are March 1 and August 1, and announcements occur about four months post-deadline.

Bell's Brewery Small Grassroots Grants support projects focusing on water stewardship across the Great Lakes watershed. With grant amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000, eligible organizations can apply for funding to improve ecosystem health, enhance public health through better water resource management, and promote resilience against climate-related water risks. This initiative highlights Bell's commitment to environmental stewardship and community support in all 50 states and DC.

The MGM Resorts Foundation Community Grant Fund supports nonprofit agencies providing essential services in areas such as affordable housing, education, and health. Grants are awarded for a one-year period and focus on regions where MGM Resorts employees live and work. Eligible applicants must comply with diversity policies and serve individuals or families. The foundation does not fund governmental agencies or projects exclusively for medical research. This initiative aims to enhance community well-being through targeted support.

The Climate Change Investment Initiative Grant Program, funded by the Exelon Foundation, aims to support innovative start-ups focused on climate change solutions within Exelon's service territories. With a commitment of $20 million over ten years, the program promotes not only environmental sustainability but also social equality and economic prosperity. Eligible businesses can benefit from substantial equity investments and valuable in-kind services. The initiative seeks to empower diverse leadership teams, particularly those representing women and minorities, to drive impactful change.