Search Through Grants for the Arts in District of Columbia in the U.S.

About Us

Brothers Helping Brothers was started in early 2014, when Nick Magoteaux’s co-worker/firefighting brother, Art Springer, was hospitalized with the H1N1 virus. Originally, Nick started a line of t-shirts to raise money for his medical expenses. Unfortunately, Art passed away from complications of the H1N1 virus on January 23, 2014. The decision was made to continue the t-shirt campaign to raise money for Art’s daughter, Mollie. Through various efforts, Nick and his brothers from the Phillipsburg Fire Department (Phillipsburg, OH) and The Red Knights Ohio Chapter 16, raised over $20,000 for Mollie.

One of Art’s passions was making sure his brothers at the Phillipburg Fire Department had the proper tools, even if it was at his own expense. Many other fire departments out there today are without the necessary tools and lifesaving equipment and do not have the funds needed to buy them. This started the passion to create Brothers Helping Brothers.

We want to build the Brothers Helping Brothers brand, by raising funds to provide vital tools and equipment to small and/or rural fire departments in need. Brothers Helping Brothers became a 501c3 non-profit organization on July 1st, 2014. Since being founded they have given out fourteen grants and are working on many more. Brothers Helping Brothers is also researching to find out what tools and equipment are most needed in the fire and EMS service, in hopes to raise awareness of what departments desperately need.

Backing Safety Initiative

The Backing Safety Initiative Grant is for one Wireless Back Up Camera for Fire/EMS Apparatus.

About Us

Brothers Helping Brothers was started in early 2014, when Nick Magoteaux’s co-worker/firefighting brother, Art Springer, was hospitalized with the H1N1 virus. Originally, Nick started a line of t-shirts to raise money for his medical expenses. Unfortunately, Art passed away from complications of the H1N1 virus on January 23, 2014. The decision was made to continue the t-shirt campaign to raise money for Art’s daughter, Mollie. Through various efforts, Nick and his brothers from the Phillipsburg Fire Department (Phillipsburg, OH) and The Red Knights Ohio Chapter 16, raised over $20,000 for Mollie.

One of Art’s passions was making sure his brothers at the Phillipburg Fire Department had the proper tools, even if it was at his own expense. Many other fire departments out there today are without the necessary tools and lifesaving equipment and do not have the funds needed to buy them. This started the passion to create Brothers Helping Brothers.

We want to build the Brothers Helping Brothers brand, by raising funds to provide vital tools and equipment to small and/or rural fire departments in need. Brothers Helping Brothers became a 501c3 non-profit organization on July 1st, 2014. Since being founded they have given out fourteen grants and are working on many more. Brothers Helping Brothers is also researching to find out what tools and equipment are most needed in the fire and EMS service, in hopes to raise awareness of what departments desperately need.

Background

Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), now including the Pepco Holdings utilities, is the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2015 revenues of approximately $34.5 billion. Headquartered in Chicago, Exelon does business in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Exelon is one of the largest competitive U.S. power generators, with more than 32,700 megawatts of owned capacity comprising one of the nation’s cleanest and lowest-cost power generation fleets. The company’s Constellation business unit provides energy products and services to approximately 2 million residential, public sector and business customers, including more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100. Exelon’s six utilities deliver electricity and natural gas to approximately 10 million customers in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania through its Atlantic City Electric, BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO and Pepco subsidiaries

Grants

One way we connect with our communities is through local grants. Exelon’s grant applications are easy to complete. You can submit online applications for program, event and sponsorship support.

Exelon Directs Corporate Giving To Four Key Areas:

We fund programs that deliver measurable, sustainable improvements in the communities we serve. We invest in organizations that have proven track records in these areas:

Through our Building Exelon’s Future Workforce focus area, Exelon funds organizations, institutions, and programs that offer Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering (STEM) education and enrichment opportunities for students; scholarship and mentoring support to increase the number of students graduating with college degrees in STEM fields, STEM career and technical education, occupational skills training programs for older youth and adults, and assistance to remove barriers to employment. The following list includes a selection of strategies that Exelon and its operating companies support to build Exelon’s future workforce:

• Out-of-school education & enrichment programs such as summer or after school STEM programs and clubs,
• STEM career exposure opportunities for students such as career fairs and field site visits,
• Novel in-school STEM learning opportunities such as mobile labs and science outreach,
• K-12 STEM teacher training and professional development opportunities,
• STEM classroom resources and lab equipment,
• High school STEM trades career and technical education and training programs,
• Community college-based STEM trade education, training, and apprentice programs,
• Postsecondary scholarships for students majoring in STEM fields,
• STEM career mentoring and tutoring,
• STEM trade occupational skills training programs for adults and older youth, and
• Employment barrier removal assistance services.

Through our Energy Empowerment in Our Communities focus area, Exelon funds organizations and programs that improve the quality of our environment; promote environmental education, conservation, and preservation; develop cleaner sources of energy; protect endangered species; and beautify neighborhoods. Examples of programs that Exelon and its operating companies support through Energy Empowerment grants include, but are not limited to, the following strategies:

• Alternative energy development, installation, and education,  
• Vehicle electrification,
• Climate resilience or adaptation initiatives and education,
• Endangered species protection, wildlife conservation, promotion of biodiversity,
• Landscape and watershed conservation, restoration, and preservation,  
• Neighborhood beautification and green space initiatives, and
• Environmental and energy efficiency education and outreach.  

Through our Enrichment through Local Vitality focus area, Exelon funds a broad range of organizations and institutions that create local employment opportunities, support families, foster resilience, and strengthen communities. Examples of ways in which Exelon and its operating companies support Enrichment through Local Vitality include, but are not limited to, the following strategies:

• Anchor institutions such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and other organizations that provide employment opportunities, economic benefit, and enrichment in communities,
• The establishment and promotion of business districts,
• Projects carried out through community development corporations,
• Community-based programs and nonprofit organizations,
• Emergency preparedness programs, resiliency hubs, and resources that promote public safety,
• Programs that increase local economic investment and employment opportunities, and
• Local Chambers of Commerce.

Exelon believes that our lives are enriched and our communities are strengthened through individual interactions and collective experiences with the arts. Through our Equal Access to Arts and Culture focus area, Exelon funds cultural institutions with broad public exposure and programs designed to make arts and culture more accessible to a wider and more diverse audience. Exelon and its operating companies support a broad range of programs that promote Equal Access to Arts and Culture, including, but not limited to, the following strategies:

• Arts education and enrichment for all ages carried out through schools, community programs, arts institutions, and other organizations,
• Community-based exhibition spaces such as galleries, theaters, performance spaces, and specialty museums,
• The acquisition and exhibition of culturally and locally relevant arts content, and
• The establishment and promotion of theater and arts districts.

Field Trip New Jersey Fund

Educators at schools in districts serving a majority of low-income students may apply for grants of up to $700 to cover transportation costs for field trips to arts and culture sites, historical landmarks, nature preserves and science institutions in New Jersey, and to visit college campuses throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Field Trip Grant Details

Total funding per field trip will not exceed $700 and must be used for bus expenses only. A school may submit an application for multiple trips as long as the request does not exceed $1,400 and the trips serve different teachers and students. We encourage teachers to collaborate on trips and on the application process.

Welcoming both those organizations with little to no experience presenting jazz and seasoned jazz presenters seeking to strengthen programming, application occurs annually through an open, competitive process. Once selected, membership is ongoing upon meeting annual requirements.

JTN expands the presentation of jazz throughout the mid-Atlantic region while ensuring regional programming reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the current field of jazz. Members take part in professional development activities and work together to block-book a series of jazz tours each year.

Delaplaine Foundation, Inc., is a private family foundation based in Frederick, Maryland, dedicated to the enrichment of communities and families within Maryland, nearby states and the District of Columbia by supporting programs to strengthen the arts and sciences, historical preservation, educational advancement, spiritual enlightenment and well-being.

What We Support

We are committed to strengthening communities and families through the support of non-profit organizations whose missions are closely aligned with our own, related to the cultural arts, educational advancement, health, human services, historical preservation, and spiritual enlightenment. Approximately 70% – 75% of our grant funding is awarded annually in Frederick County with the balance distributed in other parts of Maryland, to nearby states, the District of Columbia, and even some discretionary national and international grants have been funded. Eligible applications must be a nonprofit organization as recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)3 and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Cultural Arts

The arts enrich the quality of life for everyone and elevate the quality of life in the communities where they exist. Delaplaine Foundation supports cultural organizations that bring performances and exhibits to the public, and provide arts education experiences to those who may not otherwise have such access.

Education

Delaplaine Foundation is committed to the support of students, educators, academic programs, and institutions through the funding of educational initiatives, tuition assistance programs and operational support.

Health

Delaplaine Foundation is committed to helping meet the physical, mental and behavioral health needs of individuals, families and communities, ensuring that quality health care is accessible to all.

Historical Preservation

Delaplaine Foundation believes strongly in the importance of history and preservation for present and future generations. Learning from the past helps us to best respond to the present and prepare for the future. For this reason, we support historical programming, as well as archival and structural preservation.

Human Services

Delaplaine Foundation supports non-profit organizations whose programs and services provide critical support and enhance the quality of the life for children, youth and adults.

Spiritual Enlightenment

Delaplaine Foundation values spiritual enlightenment, which we believe positively impacts and deeply enriches the quality of life for everyone and the community-at-large.

Since 2013, the Autism Speaks Local Impact Grant Program has awarded over $3.6 million to 750 organizations across the country and served tens of thousands of people with autism, their caregivers and families, teachers, therapists and neurotypical peers.

The Autism Speaks Local Impact Grant Program accepts applications from non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations for grant awards up to $5,000.

The objective of the Autism Speaks Local Impact Grants is three-fold:

• to promote local services that enhance the lives of those affected by autism spectrum disorders
• to expand the capacity to effectively serve the ASD community
• to increase the field of national service providers

Autism Speaks places a significant emphasis on the product or deliverable of each proposal to benefit the autism community beyond those participating in the program. Deliverables include videos, manuals and curricula that may be shared on the Autism Speaks website for the broader community. In addition, Autism Speaks seeks to ensure proposals provide opportunities for individuals with varying levels of need. Careful consideration will also be given to applications that specifically address the needs of underserved communities - which can include rural towns, non-English speaking populations, and other vulnerable groups.

The grant period is seven-nine months, beginning once the check is received.

Grant Categories

We provide funding to support programs at existing organizations in the following categories:

•  Education
• o Building the field and scope of educators and other professionals who support individuals with autism, by providing continuing education and training
• Providing funding for consultation and hands on training to improve educational programs for individuals with autism
• Providing a specific service such as ABA, legal service, etc. to people with autism and the community
• Recreation/Community Activities
• Social skills training to provide peer modeling and inclusion with age-matched, typically developing peers; social learning; social relatedness; social awareness; and social communication. We fund both integrated and non-integrated programming. 
• Recreation and athletic programs 
• Equine programs
• Museums, arts, dance, music programs
• Young Adult/Adult Services
• Pre-vocational and vocational training
• Transition planning
• Residential services
• Recreation programs specifically for adults
• Life/Community integration skills
• Health/Safety
• Sensory Equipment/Supportive Technology
  • iPads
  • Smartboards
  • Sensory equipment (occupational therapy equipment, toys, etc.)
  • Equine therapy equipment 

Mission

The Joseph Robert Foundation is a small Pennsylvania private foundation whose primary purposes are to provide financial support for the arts, animal welfare, and the environment. Our main geographic focus is the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S., but in special cases we may provide support to organizations located outside this area.

We are interested in awarding grants to non-profit organizations addressing significant issues of interest to our Board. We are especially interested in supporting smaller, local organizations that have fewer resources and more limited objectives, although we may also help fund regional or national organizations having specific program or project objectives. Both general operating and project/program support is available.

We welcome first-time grant seekers, support applications from prior grant recipients, and reach out to find eligible organizations that share our goals and interests.

What We Fund

Arts

We believe strongly in the power of the arts to transform both individuals and communities and are committed to reinforcing the importance of the arts as a vital component of our culture. In challenging political times such as these, the role of the arts is too often overlooked, or even denigrated. We want to play our part in asserting the value of the arts by encouraging artists to take risks, explore new possibilities, and reach out to both new and familiar audiences. By nurturing creativity and innovative thinking, we can help artists make an impact on the world around them.

While we are supportive of all forms of creative expression, the interests of the Foundation are primarily in the visual arts. We will also look favorably upon interdisciplinary projects/programs with a visual arts component, or an arts program/project that would further the goals of either of the other of the Foundation’s areas of interest.

Animal Welfare

The plight and circumstances of animals, whether domestic, farm or wild, are areas of deep concern to the Foundation. We are interested in rescuing, protecting, rehabilitating, and providing homes and sanctuaries for the non-human inhabitants of this planet. We are especially interested in helping organizations that identify and provide resources for animal populations in underserved communities. We are also interested in helping with programs that train and educate wildlife rehabilitators and other animal rescue workers.

Environment and Sustainable Resources Management

With ever increasing attacks on the environment and environmental protection, it is critically important to protect and preserve our natural resources, open lands, forests, oceans, waterways, watersheds, and green spaces. The Joseph Robert Foundation is primarily interested in supporting smaller, local organizations that can have a direct impact on their communities, whether through education or through sustainability projects. We may also be interested in contributing to larger organizations that provide essential services to protect and safeguard the environment from threats of all natures.

Grant Period

The normal grant period will be one year, starting from the date the award has been granted. When appropriate, grantees may reapply for Joseph Robert Foundation funding upon the submission of a final report at the end of the funding period.

Grant Amount

Most grant awards to organizations will be under $10,000. First-time grant awards will be limited to $5,000 or less, unless there are compelling circumstances. Determination of the grant amount will be made based on organizational and/or program/project budgets, scope of proposal, organizational qualifications, and overall application quality. Grants to individuals will be limited to $2,000 or less, with sources of matching and in-kind funds considered.  

Grant Type

Organizations may apply for general operating (GO) and/or program/project funds, but larger organizations are limited to applying for program/project funding.

Individual applicants may only apply for project funds.

Background

The Foundation seeks to be responsive to community issues and needs. Our process is highly competitive and is open to new projects and new organizations. The following summary, Examples of our Grant-Making, is offered to help guide applicants. While this is not intended to be an exhaustive description and may, as appropriate, change over time, we hope that the following will suggest the kind of meaningful work in which the Foundation is seeking to invest.

Generally, the Foundation looks to support work that improves the lives of DC-area residents, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable and underserved individuals. We encourage organizations that provide comprehensive services and work towards systemic change, which addresses all levels of, and all who are affected by, the issue. The goal is that all in the region become self-sufficient and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. We search for nonprofits that also employ effective partnering and show cultural competence in engaging effectively with communities and people of various cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. On occasion, the Foundation invests directly in strengthening the nonprofit sector by helping current grantees to build organizational capacity and by supporting advocacy and other efforts.

Grants are made in five program areas:

Arts and Humanities

The Foundation recognizes the intrinsic value of the Arts and Humanities, as well as their power to innovate and create social change. The funds distributed support an array of artistic disciplines, as well as organizations that promote the humanities. These nonprofits demonstrate the depth and breadth of their initiatives, including how to meaningfully engage communities that have been historically underrepresented in the Arts and Humanities.

Community Services - The Community Services portfolio includes, but is not limited to:

• Community Development
  • The Foundation seeks to ensure access to safe housing and economic development across the region. These awards support affordable housing production and preservation, services for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, programs to address wealth disparities, as well as civic engagement and volunteerism.
• Children, Youth and Families
  • Grants in this area help young people improve their academic performance, gain employment, develop relationships with trusted adults and make connections to the larger community. The Foundation prioritizes programs that promote youth voice, empowering young people to advocate for change within their schools and communities.
• Justice
  • The Foundation seeks to ensure access to justice for all individuals in order to create a more equitable region. These grants support civil legal aid, services to survivors of violence, efforts to help people stay out of the criminal justice system and advocacy for system reform.
• Workforce Development
  • The Foundation supports organizations that focus on specific fields and career pathways as well as those that concentrate on broader job- and career-readiness.
• Capacity Building
  • The Foundation supports capacity building organizations that improve the sustainability, quality and impact of nonprofits in the region.

Education

The Foundation recognizes that a high-quality and equitable education system can reduce barriers to opportunity and transform lives. These grants aim to ensure that from the first day children enter an early childhood setting, to the day they receive a technical certificate or a degree, they are receiving an education that is founded in strong relationships, responds to their unique needs, and equips them with the skills they need to thrive and succeed in life.

Environment

The Foundation strives to restore and protect our region’s natural resources so that all individuals can have equal access to clean water, air and land. These grants focus on the restoration and protection of local parks, the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Grants to environmental education and stewardship programs for people of all ages create greater awareness of the dangers of an unhealthy environment and the need to protect open natural spaces.

Health & Wellness

The Foundation takes a holistic view of health and wellness to ensure that across the region people of all ages can live healthier lives, regardless of income or zip code. These grants include healthcare provision and supportive services, food and nutrition, as well as coalition building and advocacy.

Philip L. Graham Fund Grant

Named for the late Publisher of The Washington Post and President of The Washington Post Company (now Graham Holdings Company), the Philip L. Graham Fund devotes its resources to the betterment of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The Fund awards several million dollars in grants annually to groups providing educational, health, community enrichment, and arts programs and services to communities in and around Washington, D.C.

What We Support

Understanding the broad and changing needs of the communities in and around Washington, D.C., the Philip L. Graham Fund is dedicated to supporting organizations that provide a wide array of direct services to individuals and families. The Fund awards grants across four focus areas and a geographically vast area that includes 10 counties in Virginia and Maryland as well as the District of Columbia.

The Fund is always looking for innovative and efficient organizations to support. Over the past several decades, the Fund has invested tens of millions of dollars in the physical infrastructure, information technology, and transportation needs of local nonprofit organizations. The Fund’s five-member board prefers to fund requests for one-time projects or expenses, but does occasionally award grants for program and general operating expenses.

In 2017, the Philip L. Graham Fund awarded $4.1 million in grants to 138 organizations across Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Twenty grants went to first-time grantees. Together, grants in the Health & Human Services and Education focus areas represented 84% of the Fund’s giving last year.

Focus Areas

From its inception, the Fund’s mission has been to use its resources for the betterment of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. In the past, the Fund also worked to foster improvements in the fields of journalism and communications. Grantees include large, regional organizations as well as small, community-based groups; all share a commitment to our community.

Health & Human Services

The Health & Human Services segment of the Fund’s portfolio is the largest portion of the Fund’s giving and includes a wide array of services designed to ensure everyone in the greater metropolitan area has access to the tools necessary for healthy and productive living. Nonprofits providing shelter, food, medical care, and workforce development programs to members of our community are a high priority for the Fund as well as efforts to increase access to fresh foods, legal services, routine primary care and dental visits, and comprehensive behavioral health services for children and adults.

Education

The Philip L. Graham Fund is committed to supporting efforts to advance and expand educational offerings for children and adults in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The Fund gives high priority to programs that improve public education and adult literacy.

Arts & Humanities

From its earliest days, the Philip L. Graham Fund has supported both large and small arts organizations in and around Washington, D.C. Many of the city’s largest and most innovative theater companies, museums, dance companies, and arts education programs can trace their earliest funding back to the Graham Fund. The Fund remains committed to supporting longstanding organizations devoted to bringing high-quality and unique programs to the community and to seeking out new organizations bringing fresh ideas and offerings to the metropolitan area. The Fund is specifically interested in arts programming that shows a clear intersection with one of the Fund’s other focus areas.

Community Endeavors

Recognizing the importance of Washington, D.C., to the nation and the world, the Fund considers requests from institutions that tell the stories of our country’s history, values, and accomplishments and strengthen the greater metropolitan community as a whole. This includes support for a broad spectrum of organizations, such as institutions of national significance located in the metropolitan area, improvement of local parks and playgrounds, and efforts to help our community through programs that strengthen families and neighborhoods.

Grants

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) strives to enhance the quality of life and wellness of District of Columbia residents and visitors by providing equal access to affordable and quality recreational services by organizing programs, activities, and events, and by building and maintaining safe and beautiful open spaces and recreational amenities. In service of that commitment, DPR’s grantmaking authority specifically provides for funding opportunities to carry out this purpose by awarding and supporting the equitable distribution of grants to diverse organizations that provide high-quality programming.

Rec for All Community Grants

Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking organizations through the competitive grantmaking process to provide inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities to all members of our community. Through our programs and facilities, we strive to promote physical, social, and emotional wellness, foster a sense of community, and enhance the quality of life for all individuals, regardless of ability, age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and encourages lifelong learning, growth, and personal fulfillment.

Rec for All Support, Engagement, and Events (See) Grant

DPR is seeking organizations through the competitive grantmaking process to provide inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities to youth in our community. Through our programs and facilities, we strive to promote physical, social, and emotional wellness, foster a sense of community, and enhance the quality of life for all individuals, regardless of ability, age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and encourages lifelong learning, growth, and personal fulfillment.

Support Grant 

Five thousand dollars ($5,000) grant to purchase equipment, supplies, and materials for existing programs including sports, cultural arts, and youth development.

About

We are an all-volunteer women’s collective giving organization working to fuel the work of nonprofits addressing unmet needs in our community, particularly those that result from systemic racism and structural inequity. We aim to create and sustain a diverse community of dynamic women committed to building bridges across the wide demographic divides in the Washington, DC area and to empower women as philanthropists and leaders. Since 2021, we have awarded over $550,000 in funds to nonprofit organizations on the front lines of change in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Focus Areas

• Arts & Culture
  • Includes projects that foster greater exposure to or participation in the arts, expand arts education, or use art as a medium for creative expression.
  • Priority will be given to programs that target residents in underserved communities that have lacked access to quality arts programs.
• Environment, Preservation & Recreation
  • Includes projects that focus on improving or preserving the natural and/or built environments; promoting environmental justice, fighting climate change, and/or conserving natural resources; creating, restoring, or revitalizing recreational facilities or spaces; and enhancing community safety, particularly in communities which disproportionately lack green space and access to natural resources, recreational facilities, and safe communities, due to disinvestment and inequitable development.
• Education
  • Includes projects that expand or improve learning opportunities for students of all ages who lack access to a quality education, including projects focused on providing early childhood education, language and literacy skills training, and tutoring and mentoring, as well as programs focused on improving high school graduation rates and or enrollment in higher education, especially for populations that have experienced systemic racism or discrimination, including returning citizens and immigrant communities.
• Family
  • Includes projects that support the lives of individuals, children, families, and seniors, especially but not limited to immigrant communities, the LGBTQ+ community, and people of color, focusing on housing, living wage, food insecurity, job skills training, and other basic needs.
• Health and Wellness
  • Includes projects that address access to health care and that seek to improve the physical or mental health of people who experience discrimination, including people of color, the disabled, and incarcerated individuals and returning citizens, as well as projects that foster healthy living habits and holistic wellness.

Funding

We require all proposals to include a plan and budget utilizing the full $100,000 award.

You may submit a proposal in excess of the Impact100 DC grant amount as long as:

• you are clear about where funds to cover the remaining costs are expected to come from, and
• your proposal budget clearly specifies what portions of the total project budget the Impact100 DC grant will fund.

Community Grant Program

About

Each year Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration distributes $7 million dollars in funding to qualified community-based organizations (CBOs) in the District of Columbia through the outreach offices of the Mayor’s Office on Community Affairs (MOCA). These outreach offices manage community grant programs and work with grantees to implement programs focused on Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Priorities for District residents:

Downtown Comeback

Empowering the District of Columbia to remain a city for people of all ages and at all stages of life, means fighting to protect the middle class. When Washingtonians across all eight wards have access to job opportunities and can afford to build a better life for themselves and their loved ones in the District, our residents and communities are stronger.

Public Safety

Public safety serves as a foundation for living a healthy and happy life. We want to create significant, lasting change and not just to reverse these rising trends, but to reduce any type of violence, including gun violence, and ultimately end it. Continuing to support our residents through investments in education, housing, and economic development will improve the quality of life of residents.

Education

Schools are the heartbeat of our communities, and every community deserves a great school. Every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential and to pursue their dreams. This starts with the basics, such as reading and math. Recreational activities such as sports, art, civic engagement, and youth engagement, will impact the health and well-being of our residents and students.

Black LGBTQIA+ History Preservation Grant

Background Information

The D.C. Mayor’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Affairs (MOLGBTQA) is soliciting grant applications for its Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other identities (LGBTQIA+) History Preservation Grant (BHPG) from qualified for-profit and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) providing direct services to the District’s LGBTQIA+ community. The mission of the MOLGBTQA is to create a Washington, DC, where all LGBTQIA+ residents are empowered to live authentically and thrive, have equitable access to opportunities, and are supported by an inclusive, welcoming community that actively celebrates and nurtures diversity across every neighborhood. MOLGBTQA fosters civic engagement and promotes understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community through grants, partnerships, and educational initiatives.

The Black LGBTQIA+ History Preservation Establishment Act of 2024, effective June 12, 2024, D.C. Law 25-176, 71 DCR 5021, provides that MOLGBTQA shall research and produce a report on Black LGBTQIA+ history in the District. An Advisory Committee established under the Act will assist in this effort by providing guidance, feedback, and recommendations on the report’s content. The BHPG grantee(s) will support these efforts, as outlined in the funding priorities below. 

Funding Priorities

To qualify for the FY25 Black LGBTQIA+ History Preservation Grant (BHPG), applicants must provide services in at least one of the two funding priorities listed below:

• Policy and Report - This priority focuses on research, comprehensive documentation, and developing actionable policy recommendations to foster systemic change. Grantees will collaborate with MOLGBTQA to create comprehensive historical analyses and policy strategies that promote equity and inclusion.
  • Research and Documentation - Develop detailed research on the Black Pride Movement, Black Trans activism, and the impact of the AIDS crisis on DC’s Black LGBTQIA+ community.
  • Education and Curriculum Development - Work with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to create curriculum recommendations for integrating Black LGBTQIA+ history into DC Public Schools.
  • Policy Recommendations - Transform research findings into actionable recommendations for public dissemination and long-term preservation.
  • Legacy of Equity Initiative – Leverage historical research to address racial inequities through innovative policy and systems-level strategies that promote equity and justice.
• Community Engagement - This priority focuses on public-facing efforts to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and drive collective action. Grantees will collaborate to engage diverse audiences and promote the report’s findings in innovative and impactful strategies.
  • Public Engagement and Awareness - Plan public events (e.g., exhibitions, panels, and performances) to showcase research findings and celebrate Black LGBTQIA+ history. Facilitate public feedback on report drafts through meetings and comments.
  • Legacy of Equity Initiative - Develop and implement community-driven programs to improve key areas such as housing, education, economic wellbeing, health, and safety. Bridge research and community engagement to address ongoing racial inequities.

Many Hands Grants

Since 2004, Many Hands has granted more than $2.5 million to nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and families in socioeconomic need in the Washington, DC area. We currently make four grants each year, including one in each of four focus areas: economic empowerment, education, health, and housing. Of the four annual grantees, one receives the Many Hands $100,000 Impact Grant, and three receive Many Hands Partner Grants, the value of which is dependent on annual fundraising. In 2022, each Partner Grant was $67,000. 

Many Hands provides unrestricted funding (which may be used for operating, program, or capital expenses) to well managed and financially viable local organizations that operate effective programs and services. Successful applicants will be able to describe how a Many Hands grant will have an impact on organizational and/or programmatic capacity that leads to an increased ability to help the intended beneficiaries.

Focus Areas

Our grantmaking supports area nonprofits that serve women, children, and families in socioeconomic need through programs in the areas of economic empowerment, education, health, and housing.

Economic Empowerment

The Economic Empowerment Committee seeks to fund organizations that work to improve the economic security and financial well-being of women, youth (ages 14-25), and families in the areas of:

• Job readiness 
• Entrepreneurship
• College/post-secondary success
• Financial literacy
• Adult literacy
• English language proficiency
• Eliminating barriers to work (including legal, transportation, and childcare)

Education

The Education Committee seeks to fund organizations that work to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for children and families in the areas of:

• Early childhood education and development 
• School readiness
• K-12 education
• Academic support and enrichment (including tutoring, mentoring, arts, and after-school or out-of-school time programs)

Health

The Health Committee seeks to fund organizations that work to improve health and safety outcomes for women, children, youth, and families in the areas of:

• Healthcare access 
• Healthcare services and treatment
• Mental health and emotional support
• Substance abuse treatment/prevention (including family supports)
• Public safety (including domestic and community violence prevention)
• Hunger and food security
• Wellness
• Aging

Housing

The Housing Committee seeks to fund organizations working to support women, youth, and families facing homelessness or housing instability in the areas of:

• Homelessness prevention, including emergency rental or utility assistance 
• Emergency, temporary, and transitional housing and shelters
• Permanent or semi-permanent housing
• Housing with wraparound services
• Homeownership services

The Foundation

When Herb Block died in October 2001, he left $50 million with instructions to create a foundation to encourage the art of editorial cartooning and to support charitable and educational programs that help promote and support the causes he championed during his 72 years of cartooning. The Foundation is committed to defending basic freedoms, combating all forms of discrimination and prejudice and improving the condition of the poor and underprivileged.

Pathways Out of Poverty

This program will focus on helping needy young people and adults gain a quality education. For projects serving youth, The Herb Block Foundation seeks proposals which focus on improving student achievement and healthy development of young people. Projects may include in-school and community-based educational programs, after-school activities, and mentoring programs. Programs designed to increase high school graduation rates are encouraged to apply.

For projects serving adults, The Herb Block Foundation seeks proposals to provide literacy education and GED preparation, and to offer vocational training and job placement.Grants in the range of $5,000 to $25,000 will be considered. Grants will be considered for one year's funding.

About

The DC Oral History Collaborative (DCOHC) documents, preserves, and celebrates the lived experiences of all Washington, DC residents and communities through oral history. The Collaborative accomplishes this by providing training, mentorship, resources, programs, and funding to current and aspiring oral historians.

Grant Opportunity

Help us create exciting public humanities programs for the people of Washington, DC! This grant opportunity funds the creation of innovative interpretations of humanities scholarship for public audiences. Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about how they engage the public. Potential projects can include, but are not limited to documentary films, planning or executing an event or performance, publications and curricula, tours and exhibits, websites and other digital humanities projects; and archives.

This opportunity is part of the Humanities Grant Program supported with funding from the District of Columbia Government through the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Funding Scope

Visions – Projects & Events funds innovative interpretations of the humanities for public audiences. This includes support for ongoing programs or limited-time activities. All projects must incorporate relevant humanities scholarship into the stories that they tell and have an advisor or partner who is knowledgeable about the relevant field or subject matter.

Prospective projects must:

• be informed by one or more of the humanities disciplines;
• have an advisor or team member who is knowledgeable about the proposed subject matter;
• demonstrate a connection to Washington, DC;
• be innovative, unique, and of strong educational interest to a wide public audience; and
• be publicly accessible.

Project examples include:

• Neighborhood organizations partnering with local experts to create walking tours that explore the various layers of a community;
• Conferences focusing on the connection between national issues and their impacts on DC residents;
• Humanities organizations holding space for dialogue around civic engagement;
• Educational organizations creating an exhibition with a humanities theme as it relates to DC residents;
• Documentary films that tell a humanities story about Washington, DC;
  • Documentary films will be showcased in a HumanitiesDC sponsored film festival and be made available for non-commercial, educational use.
• Planning or execution of an event, conference, festival, or other gathering;
  • Events, conferences, festivals, or other gatherings should promote DC-focused humanities topics for the public.
  • They should create networking opportunities for humanities professionals, a platform for scholars and local experts, and/or a space for people wanting to explore a humanities-based topic or area of interest.
  • Additionally, they must be open to the public and include some portion of free or affordable programming.
• Development of humanities-focused publications and curricula;
• The development or enhancement of archives, websites and other digital humanities projects.

Background

Mid Atlantic Arts was established to promote and support multi-state arts programming in a region that includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is one of six regional arts organizations in the United States, and works in close partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and its member state and jurisdictional arts agencies. Mid Atlantic Arts distinguishes itself through its work in international cultural exchange, model programs in performing arts touring, its knowledge and presence in the jazz field, and its support of folk and traditional arts.

Mission

Mid Atlantic Arts nurtures and funds the creation and presentation of diverse artistic expression and connects people to meaningful arts experiences within our region and beyond.

Vision

Mid Atlantic Arts envisions a future in which artists and creators are actively engaged with diverse communities to energize the transformative power of the arts.

Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects Grant

Mid Atlantic Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects grants fund projects that support the vitality of traditional arts and cultures in the mid-Atlantic region.

Folk and Traditional Arts Community Projects grants fund projects that support the vitality of traditional arts and cultures in the mid-Atlantic region. Non-profit organizations in DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, USVI, PR, or WV may apply for $1,000 to $7,000 grants. A 1:1 match is required.

Eligible project activities may include performances, public art collaborations, workshops/trainings, exhibitions, fieldwork/documentation, and creation of new traditional work. Mid Atlantic Arts encourages projects that cross state/territory borders, as well as projects that support or engage underserved or underrepresented artists, practitioners, traditions, or constituents.

Grant support range: $1,000 – $7,000

District of Columbia Community Stormwater Solutions Grant Program

The District of Columbia Community Stormwater Solutions Grant Program (DC-CSS) is funded by the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). This program provides funding for innovative and community centered projects, that improve the District of Columbia’s waterways, reduce litter, and raise awareness about what we can do to restore our rivers, streams, and parks.

What does this program fund?

Activities such as educational events/workshops, installation and maintenance of runoff-reducing green infrastructure, art installations, restoration of habitat, litter or pollution reduction, or other project types that meet the goals of the grant program. Projects should be inspired and supported by the priority community within the District. See the RFA for the full list of eligible project types.

Partnering with nonprofit organizations and community involvement have always been a significant part of New Belgium's ethos. We strive to positively impact communities where we do business, to give back to those who have supported us along the way and to advocate for a future that's bright for all

In 1995 when the Grants Program was conceived, $1 for every barrel of beer sold was donated to nonprofit organizations in communities where our beer was distributed. This effort spurred the establishment of the coworker grants committee that, to this day, remains the backbone of the program. This inter-departmental group, open to all coworkers, researches, reviews and allocates funds to worthy organizations doing important work across our areas of focus.

Since its inception, New Belgium has donated more than $11.3 million through the Grants Program. All told we've donated more than $27 million to help solve the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges through grants and other giving initiatives. 

The purpose of the program is to serve and connect with communities where we sell our beers. We want to cultivate relationships and support those making an impact. Our program consists of both small and large grants and has had several focus areas over the years including: youth environmental education; sustainable agriculture; smart growth and climate; water conservation and restoration; social equity; bicycle advocacy; sustainable transportation; the arts; and substance abuse support. We are incredibly proud of our partnerships and the achievements of New Belgium grantees across the country.

Small Grant Focus Area: Bicycle Advocacy

It's no secret, we like bikes! The bicycle is near and dear to our New Belgium hearts, as you might notice from the label of our flagship beer, Fat Tire. Not only is the bicycle all kinds of fun to ride, but as our friend Jimmy Hallyburton says, it allows us to experience our communities and our world at the speed of discovery: to connect with the world around us in a way that simply cannot be achieved when a car door is separating us from our surroundings.

We are in support of Bicycle Advocacy projects that break down barriers and fosters support for riders of all ages and abilities. We believe the bicycle keeps ourselves and the planet healthy, and we celebrate it daily here at the brewery. Ride on!

East Arts Grant Program

The East Arts (EA) grant program offers support to qualified non-profit organizations that identify as BIPOC-centered organizations (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) to deliver exemplary arts and humanities experiences to DC residents who reside within the northeast (NE) and southeast (SE) quadrants of the District of Columbia. Projects can include, but are not limited to the following disciplines: dance; design; folk and traditional arts; literature; media arts; music; theater; visual arts, and humanities.

Program Objectives

By making its EA grant awards, CAH endeavors to meet the following goals:

• Provide access to high-quality arts and humanities experiences for residents who reside in the NE and SE quadrants of the District of Columbia.
• Enhance the quality of life by supporting a vibrant community identity through the arts and humanities.
• Support activities that highlight and elevate the creative excellence and accomplishments of artists and arts programing in the NE and SE quadrants of the District. 

General Overview

The General Operating Support Grant Program (GOS) offers general operating support to non-profit arts, humanities, and arts education organizations whose primary mission focus is in one or more arts or humanities disciplines referenced in Guide to Grants. The mission, as submitted on the organization’s most-recent IRS Form 990, should include the word(s) arts, humanities, and/or arts or humanities discipline. More than 51% of both the organization’s previous year’s cash expenses and programming/services must be devoted to the arts and humanities and/or arts education. 

GOS applicants must demonstrate the ways in which their ongoing programming aligns with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) goal to encourage diverse artistic expressions and learning opportunities, so that all District of Columbia residents and visitors may experience the rich culture of the city. Successful GOS applications must clearly detail their organization’s outstanding leadership and vision, history of arts/humanities programming and strong track record of broad and inclusive community engagement.

GOS applications are reviewed in three (3) categories:

• Generalists,
• Service Organizations, and
• Capacity Building.

Applicants have the opportunity to choose a category when they initiate an online application.   

Projects, Events, or Festivals

Projects, Events, and Festivals (PEF) furthers CAH’s mission by encouraging progress in the arts and humanities in the District of Columbia. This program supports individuals and nonprofit arts, humanities, arts education, and service groups. Strong applicants showcase their contributions to DC as a world-class cultural capital.

This grant opportunity program goals:

• Provide access to high-quality arts and humanities experiences for all District of Columbia residents.
• Improve quality of life by supporting vibrant community projects within the arts and humanities.
• Strengthen the creative economy through investments in local individuals and organizations. 

PEF is open for projects of all sizes that show District impact and engage District residents and visitors.

CAH encourages community-based projects. They share traits like location, interests, or impact. Arts and humanities projects may include concerts, art shows, readings, or festivals. These festivals feature dance, folk art, film, music, theater, and other art forms. CAH encourages unsure applicants to contact a CAH grants manager.

About

The DC Oral History Collaborative (DCOHC) documents, preserves, and celebrates the lived experiences of all Washington, DC residents and communities through oral history. The Collaborative accomplishes this by providing training, mentorship, resources, programs, and funding to current and aspiring oral historians.

Grant Opportunity

This grant opportunity provides general operating support funding to humanities-focused organizations that work primarily with young people ages 11 to 19. Funding doesn’t have to be spent on a specific program, but rather can be put towards general operations. We are interested in organizations that use the humanities as a tool to help young people explore issues that they identify as important to themselves and their communities.

This opportunity is part of the Humanities Grant Program supported with funding from the District of Columbia Government through the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Funding Scope

This general operating support grant can be used for any purpose identified by the applicant. Applicants do not have to identify a specific project but will be asked how they expect to use the grant funds.

In support of local visual artists and District nonprofit art organizations, CAH acquires studio artwork by metropolitan artists to become part of the permanent Art Bank Collection. New artwork is added annually through a competitive grant called the Art Bank Program Grant. CAH manages the artwork from this municipal collection and oversees the Art Bank Loan Program. Artwork is loaned to District Government Agencies and Council offices for display in public areas within DC government buildings. The Art Bank Collection, which started in 1986, has over 3,000 artworks.

CAH seeks grant applications from qualified artists and District nonprofit art galleries or organizations representing metropolitan artists for the acquisition of original two- and three- dimensional artwork including, but not limited to:

• Ceramics
• Collage
• Drawings
• Fabric Arts
• Mixed media works
• Paintings
• Photographs
• Prints
• Sculptures

For the purpose of this grant, metropolitan artist is defined as a legal resident of Washington, DC, or a legal resident within a 50-mile radius of the Washington, DC boundaries, for at least one (1) year prior to the application deadline.

Program Goals

• Grow the District’s collection of fine art to reflect the rich, diverse artistic history and communities of the metropolitan region.
• Provide support, exposure and professional benefit for visual artists residing in the District of Columbia metropolitan area.
• Enhance the aesthetic experience for District employees and visitors that access the District of Columbia government buildings and public spaces.

About NAEB

The Native Arts Ecology Building is a powerful tool that enables us to extend our impact beyond individual artists by supporting Native nonprofit organizations, artist collectives, and Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFIs) in their efforts to uplift Native artists within their communities. Our cohort-based grant programs provide nonprofits with resources to identify opportunities for Native artists to thrive and to highlight their value to the broader Native community.

In 2018, we published a report detailing the results of our work with Native Arts Ecology Building Grant grantees, Investing in the Indigenous Arts Ecology. This report builds on the findings from our 2013 market study, "Establishing a Creative Economy: Native Arts as an Economic Engine.

Rooted Pathways

Rooted Pathways is a program that aims to provide resources and stability to an ecosystem of Native arts and cultural organizations through unrestricted general operating support, empowering organizations to define and advance their organizational well-being. If selected, organizations will be required to submit an Interim and Final report. Participation in the Learning Cohort is also a feature of this funding program.The program is designed to help organizations deepen their alignment with their mission and vision, strengthening their roots, fostering growth, and supporting their journey toward becoming thriving, resilient organizations.

This funding program is a part of the Wallace Foundation’s two- to three-year $36 Million Dollar Advancing Well-Being in the Arts Program.

AHEP Program Overview

The Commission on the Arts and Humanities (“CAH” or “the Agency”) seeks applications for the FY26 Arts and Humanities Education Projects (AHEP). AHEP furthers CAH’s mission by encouraging progress in the arts and humanities in the District of Columbia by supporting non-profit arts, humanities, arts education, and service organizations who significantly contribute to the District of Columbia as a world-class cultural capital. This grant opportunity has the following program goals:

• Provide access to high-quality arts and humanities experiences that work to advance student academic achievement in the District of Columbia.
• Strengthen the value of an arts and humanities education as a critical component of a student’s broader education.
• Support activities that are consistent with local and national learning standards for arts and humanities education, including the current state standards in non-arts content areas, where appropriate.

AHEP is open for projects of all sizes that demonstrate District impact and engage District children, youth, and older adults.

Grants are competitive and applications are organized for review in cohorts based on the following qualifying project categories: (1) In-School Projects; (2) Out-of-School-Time Projects; (3) Professional Development Projects; or (4) Older Adult Projects.