Best School Health Grants in District of Columbia

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children’s health, education, and welfare worldwide can request up to US $15,000 for youth-focused programs, including school-based initiatives, in the District of Columbia and beyond. With a mission to enrich and protect youth, Dan Paul Foundation provides support for child advocacy, homelessness, poverty, environmental education, and refugee enrichment projects.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

Nonprofit and NGO programs using technology for education, crisis response, or economic empowerment, including those serving schools in the District of Columbia, can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Cisco Systems Foundation supports innovative, early-stage solutions serving predominantly economically underserved communities worldwide.

Educational institutions, government programs, and eligible nonprofits in the District of Columbia can seek funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives, including K–12 and STEM programs. State Farm Companies Foundation supports projects such as auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, job training, financial literacy, and food insecurity efforts that may complement school health programming.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working in health, education, or community services, including school health efforts in District of Columbia, can apply for Labcorp Charitable Foundation support. Funding can back food pantries, healthcare and patient services for underserved populations, STEM programming, and healthy lifestyle initiatives such as medical research and screening.

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

Nonprofit organizations providing health, education, or humanitarian services to marginalized communities can apply for Semnani Family Foundation support. This global funder backs programs such as healthcare access, children’s health, women’s health, literacy, and disaster relief; school-based health initiatives in the District of Columbia that fit these priorities may be eligible.

District of Columbia school health and education nonprofits can apply for funding to support charitable, scientific, medical, or educational programs serving students. Focused on broad-impact services, the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust supports 501(c)(3) organizations using funds within the U.S., which may include school-based health and wellness initiatives.

School Behavioral Health Services Comprehensive Expansion

This RFA will deliver prevention, early intervention, and treatment services by Community Based Organizations (CBO) providers within the Comprehensive School Behavioral Health Model in 52 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS).

DBH will allocate funding to develop and further expand the District’s Comprehensive School Behavioral Health System in the District’s schools. The school behavioral health services will be aligned with the behavioral health unmet needs/gaps within the school. The array of services includes prevention, early intervention and treatment. Additionally, the selected CBOs will participate in the overall evaluation of the implementation.

Focused on community and environmental initiatives, 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the District of Columbia can seek support from the Dudley T Dougherty Foundation for programs serving people, the environment, and peacebuilding. School health organizations with qualifying charitable status may be eligible if their in-school health or wellness programs align with these priorities.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

School health-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and libraries in the District of Columbia can seek unrestricted program or operating support for environmental, human services, or related initiatives. Focused on broad community and environmental causes, the Lawrence Foundation typically awards US $5,000 - US $10,000 to U.S.-headquartered organizations, including those running health and wellness programs in schools.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools in the District of Columbia can receive US $25,000 - US $100,000 to run environmental programs focused on decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient use of natural resources. With a mission to support community sustainability, American Honda Motor provides programmatic funding that may complement school-based health and wellness initiatives with a strong environmental component.

District of Columbia 501(c)(3) public charities working on education, health, and community services can apply for US $10,000 - US $250,000 to improve outcomes for local residents. Grants from Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation help school-based and youth-serving programs, including those advancing student wellness, academic success, and equitable access to essential services in the DC metro area.

District of Columbia school health and wellness nonprofits can access funding through Impact100 DC for projects that address unmet needs rooted in systemic racism and structural inequity. 501(c)(3) organizations in the DC metro area with $300,000–$5 million in annual revenue can apply for US $100,000 to support education, health, family, arts, or environment initiatives benefiting local residents.

Focused on school health and attendance, this grant supports organizations in the District of Columbia providing truancy reduction services for youth ages 10–17 and their families, with awards up to US $250,000. The District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice seeks providers offering mental health, enrichment, mentoring, and family support in selected schools.

District of Columbia nonprofits serving women, children, 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 operation may receive up to US $100,000 in unrestricted support, which can include school-based health initiatives.

District of Columbia school health and education nonprofits can seek project funding for programs in education, health care, social services, civic and cultural, environmental, and related areas. Dr Scholl Foundation provides U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations with US $5,000 - US $25,000 in one-year grants through an annual application cycle running October 1 to March 1.

AAFP state and territorial chapters and chapter foundations in the District of Columbia can apply for American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation funding; awards US $750 for philanthropic chapter programs. Eligible projects support students or residents, member outreach, or public health initiatives that improve family and community health and may include school-based health activities.

AAFP state chapters and chapter foundations in the District of Columbia and other eligible locations can apply for the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation’s Family Medicine Chapter Alliance awards to support philanthropic programs. Funding backs student or resident initiatives, member outreach, and public health projects, which may include school-based health education or wellness activities.

District of Columbia 501(c)(3) nonprofits running education or youth-focused programs can apply for Hansen Family Foundation grants of US $1,000 - US $10,000. Grants from Hansen Family Foundation help school health and related organizations support children, expand educational access, and address basic human needs, humanitarian relief, and environmental or arts initiatives that reflect its mission.

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.

Students pursuing nursing or related fields at accredited institutions can apply for the Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship to support their education and professional goals. This U.S. scholarship honors Dashanna McNeil’s legacy and may benefit those in the District of Columbia preparing for school health or broader nursing careers at the high school through master’s levels.

District of Columbia students pursuing their first associate or bachelor’s degree can receive last-dollar tuition and fee support through the Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program, including developmental or remedial courses. The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education offers up to US $24,000 for eligible residents attending select area colleges and universities, which may benefit school health career pathways.

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.

Focused on community health and well-being, Delaplaine Foundation invites District of Columbia 501(c)(3) public charities and qualifying 509(a) institutions to seek support for health and human services programs. School-based health and wellness initiatives that fit these priorities and demonstrate measurable, long-term community benefits may be competitive for funding.