Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in District of Columbia

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in District of Columbia working in children’s programs, education, or health and human services can apply for Costco Foundation’s charitable contributions. Funding is for monetary requests only and may support community-based initiatives that demonstrate measurable outcomes, collaboration, and a strong base of financial support in areas where Costco operates.

District of Columbia nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and innovative human services or social problem-solving programs can access funding through Creag Foundation. The foundation supports smaller or evolving organizations testing new approaches across areas like health, community development, literacy, public safety, and more. Funding is by invitation, but eligible groups may submit a letter of inquiry.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting youth health, education, development, and welfare can apply for grants up to US $15,000, including groups based in District of Columbia. With a mission to enrich children’s lives, Dan Paul Foundation provides funding for programs like early childhood development, child advocacy, homelessness, poverty relief, refugee enrichment, and environmental education.

Early-stage nonprofit and impact-first, mission-driven for-profit organizations in the District of Columbia can apply for Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation’s support, with awards up to US $300,000 for scalable social and environmental solutions. Ventures serving underserved communities and operating post-pilot but pre-scale across sectors like education, health, poverty, or sustainability may be competitive.

Nonprofits and NGOs using technology for crisis response, education access, economic empowerment, or climate resilience projects in District of Columbia and worldwide can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Cisco Systems Foundation supports innovative, early-stage programs serving predominantly economically underserved communities, with applications accepted year-round via an LOI process.

Nonprofits and social enterprises working on education, health, or family economic stability for urban low-income children can seek project or scaling support of more than US $50,000, including in the District of Columbia. Focused on improving outcomes for children and youth, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funds organizations in the U.S., India, and South Africa.

Nonprofit organizations in District of Columbia seeking support for humanitarian, educational, environmental, or arts initiatives can apply for Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy. Roche supports accredited charity-led projects worldwide that promote sustainable development and community strength. Local projects are handled by Roche affiliate offices, which fund organizations operating in the same country as the affiliate.

Focused on charitable, scientific, medical, and educational work, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust invites District of Columbia 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for funding. Eligible tax-exempt organizations must use awarded funds within the U.S. for well-managed programs that broadly serve their target populations and materially advance general welfare.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on housing, jobs, hunger, arts, environment, or community development in the District of Columbia can seek sponsorship support for community-focused programs and events. With a mission to advance economic mobility, Bank of America Charitable Foundation provides regional U.S. sponsorships that may benefit D.C. nonprofits serving low- and moderate-income communities.

The Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants, offered by the US Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration, provide up to $250,000 for education and training programs aimed at enhancing safety in mining. These grants prioritize initiatives targeting smaller mines and focus on training miners about new MSHA standards and high-risk activities. Eligible applicants include states, tribal governments, and nonprofit entities, with a special emphasis on partnerships and faith-based organizations.

Nonprofit organizations and 509(a) public institutions in the District of Columbia can seek support for cultural arts, education, health, human services, historical preservation, and spiritual programs. Focused on strengthening families and communities, Delaplaine Foundation prioritizes projects with long-term benefits, measurable results, and diverse financial support, with some funding available beyond Maryland.

Grants from Hansen Family Foundation help District of Columbia 501(c)(3) nonprofits fund programs for children, education, animals, the environment, humanitarian needs, and arts and culture. U.S.-based organizations with budgets under $1 million and overhead below 25% may request US $1,000 - US $10,000, including nonprofits serving local communities where board members reside.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits in the District of Columbia can seek more than US $50,000 to tell compelling stories about their impact through this storytelling grant. Grants from Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation help organizations working in preservation, education, and wellness share their work in areas like conservation, mental health, and early childhood education.

Nonprofit legal organizations, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation in the District of Columbia can seek recoverable grants for out-of-pocket case expenses. Focused on social, economic, environmental, and racial justice, the Impact Fund offers US $10,000 - US $50,000 to support class actions and other systemic reform cases benefiting oppressed communities.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries working on environmental or human services programs in District of Columbia can seek general operating or project support through the Lawrence Foundation; awards typically range from US $5,000 - US $10,000. Focused on environmental and community services, the foundation invites eligible organizations nationwide to apply.

Nonprofit organizations in the District of Columbia seeking program or project support can apply for US $1,000 - US $20,000 to strengthen community services, education, arts, health, environmental, or youth initiatives. Grants from Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation help U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations where modest funding can make a significant impact.

Nonprofits, faith-based groups, government agencies, educational institutions, and private enterprises in the District of Columbia can receive up to US $300,000 to run youth workforce development and reentry programs. With a mission to support justice-involved youth, the District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services provides funding to build skill-building, training, and job placement pipelines for court-involved young people.

Nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, and universities in the District of Columbia can seek funding to install and recycle rain barrels, issue rebates, and educate residents on stormwater management. Grants from the District of Columbia Department of Energy & Environment help District of Columbia environmental groups address nonpoint source pollution and support green infrastructure, with approximately US $521,000 available.

Nonprofit and public entities providing family planning and reproductive health services can apply for US $200,000 - US $22,000,000 to deliver comprehensive Title X services, including in the District of Columbia. With a mission to expand access to voluntary family planning, the Office of Population Affairs offers multi-year support for education, counseling, and related health services.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Nonprofit and preservation-focused organizations in the District of Columbia and other Mid-Atlantic states can apply for National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund; awards Up to US $7,500 for planning, education, and outreach projects that protect natural and cultural resources and advance community livability and sustainability.

Nonprofit organizations leading strong cross-sector community partnerships in the District of Columbia and across the U.S. can seek recognition and support through the Community Partnership Award. With a mission to honor exemplary collaborations, Mutual of America Foundation provides national awards to six nonprofits whose partnership models improve communities and can be replicated elsewhere.

Nonprofit organizations helping disadvantaged people become self-reliant, including those in District of Columbia, can seek funding for social services, poverty alleviation, disability support, and disaster relief. Gupta Family Foundation supports primarily smaller 501(c)(3) entities or qualifying foreign organizations with US $5,000 - US $250,000 grants for focused, non-sectarian humanitarian programs.

Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services

The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) is responsible for the supervision, custody, and care of young people charged with a delinquent act in the District of Columbia in one of the following circumstances:

• Youth who are detained in a DYRS facility while awaiting adjudication.
• Youth who are committed to DYRS by a DC Family Court judge following adjudication.

Youth can be initially committed to the agency until the age of 18 and may remain in the care of DYRS until the age of 21. The agency provides comprehensive support services to committed youth in our secure facilities as well as within the community. DYRS is designed to help young people get on the right track and successfully transition into adulthood. DYRS works with fellow District agencies, community partners, and juvenile justice experts to achieve these goals. We collaborate to implement innovative, research-based models that align with best practices in the juvenile justice and youth development fields.

Mission: The mission of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services is to give court-involved youth the opportunity to become more productive citizens by building on the strengths of youths and their families in the least restrictive, most homelike environment consistent with public safety.

Credible Messenger Initiative

The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) seeks to award one local organization that demonstrates the capability to deliver mentorship programming inside the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ secure facilities- New Beginnings and at Youth Services Center; and up to three organizations rooted in neighborhoods where young people and families, and Credible Messengers reside and to provide transformative mentoring to youth committed to the agency, residing in the community. Through this initiative, mentoring services, family support programming, and other programs consistent with the goals and objectives of the Credible Messenger Initiative will be offered.