Search Through Public Policy Grants in District of Columbia in the U.S.

Charitable Contributions

Costco Wholesale’s primary charitable efforts specifically focus on programs supporting children, education, and health and human services in the communities where we do business. Throughout the year we receive a large number of requests from nonprofit organizations striving to make a positive impact, and we are thankful to be able to provide support to a variety of organizations and causes. While we would like to respond favorably to all requests, understandably, the needs are far greater than our allocated resources and we are unable to accommodate them all.

Warehouse Donations:

Warehouse donations are handled at the warehouse level - please consult your local warehouse for up-to-date information regarding their donations contacts and review process.

Grant Applications

If the request is under consideration, you may be contacted by staff for any additional information needed. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, and decisions are made based on several factors, including: type of program; identified community need not otherwise available; indication that evidenced based data will establish measurable results of intended outcomes; community collaboration; broad base of financial support; project budget and operating expenses.

Mission

The DanPaul Foundation will use its resources to help train teachers and parents in early childhood development, protect children from abuse and neglect, stimulate children's personal social responsibilities, and offer them opportunities for enrichment and growth.

The Foundation will also encourage children to be concerned and informed about the environment and the underprivileged, particularly with regard to clean air and water, and adequate housing and nutrition for all.

Beliefs

The DanPaul Foundation believes that children should have ample opportunities for enrichment in their lives, and thus strives to provide many different ways to enrich and expand children's minds through direct programs and monetary support to organizations doing similar work.

We have provided or currently provide grants related to the following program areas:

• Workshops, Conferences, + Seminars: We strive to offer educational workshops, conferences, and seminars for parents and teachers on topics related to early childhood development.
• Student Scholarships: We aim to help students attending post-secondary education institutions by providing need-based and academic scholarships.
• Scientific Endeavors: We desire to advance scientific endeavors which seek to improve the quality of life for everyone in the world.
• Clean Air + Water: We hope to pass on knowledge and practical life skills to youth regarding their personal responsibility to the environment, teaching them about issues surrounding clean air and water.
• Child Advocacy: We believe in protecting children from abuse and neglect and particularly love to support programs that provide education and assistance to children as well as organizations advocating or caring for vulnerable children.
• Homelessness: We want to encourage young people to take a personal interest in seeing that adequate housing and proper nutrition, especially for the underprivileged and homeless, are available.
• Poverty + Neglect: We seek to help those in poverty as well as educate youth about their responsibility to consider the underprivileged and take care of those most in need of life's basic essentials like adequate housing and proper nutrition.
• Refugee Enrichment: We wish to help refugee youth by supporting programs that provide them enrichment and help them transition to life in a new country.

The DanPaul Foundation provides grants to 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organizations as defined by the IRS. The Foundation is interested in providing funding to programs that directly serve the health, education, development, and welfare of the world's youth.

Grants range from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 per calendar year.

Global Impact Cash Grants

Identifying and incubating innovative early-stage solutions. We identify, incubate, and develop innovative early-stage solutions with the highest potential for impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We're looking for programs that fit within our investment sectors, focus on the underserved, and use technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services.

We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. A brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application. Please expand and carefully review each of the three sections below to learn more

Our priority social impact sectors

We focus on investing in innovative, tech-enabled solutions to the challenges and opportunities that matter most to communities in need, prioritizing four social impact sectors:

Cisco Crisis Response

Mobilizing to provide essentials to communities in need and those in crisis, including food, housing, secure connectivity, and disaster relief

By leveraging Cisco’s people, technology, financial resources, and strategic partnerships, we help strengthen community resilience and drive long-term recovery from crises.

Education

Supporting students, teachers, and schools by increasing engagement, building skills, promoting subject mastery, and expanding their capacity to thrive

Cisco is committed to inclusive access to digital skills training and supporting those who use technology to educate. Through programs like Cisco Networking Academy and social investments in education, we create new opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Economic Empowerment

Transforming communities through skill development, long-term career opportunities, entrepreneurship, and access to financial products and services

Strategic grants that unlock economic prosperity and growth for individuals and communities.

Climate Regeneration

Building an inclusive, regenerative, and resilient climate future through education, regenerative agriculture, conservation, protection, and clean energy solutions

Our efforts began in 2021, when the Cisco Foundation committed US$100 million over 10 years to fund nonprofit grants and impact investing in climate solutions. 

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation

We believe every person deserves equitable care and education.

In 2020 Labcorp established a private charitable 501(c)(3) foundation to advance our desire to bring quality healthcare access to all by supporting education and our local communities. 

Common grant opportunities include:

• Supporting food pantries and meal programs
• Providing healthcare and patient services for underserved populations
• Encouraging STEM programming
• Advocating for healthy lifestyles through ongoing medical research and screening

Philanthropy is our commitment to communities in which we operate and broader society. We focus our resources on a limited number of key projects that can deliver valuable benefits from our contributions and those of our partners. We give priority to innovative, high-quality projects that meet the following criteria:

• promote sustainable development
• offer an opportunity for Roche to use its expertise and logistics capabilities
• involve Roche actively at an early stage with local authorities and established partners
• engage Roche employees in cultural (focus on contemporary arts), educational and social activities
• managed by an accredited charity

Our four focus areas

Humanitarian and Social

We direct the majority of our philanthropic donations to humanitarian and social development projects.

Science and education

We are dedicated to programmes that promote scientific interest and provide educational opportunities for young people around the world.

Community and Environment

We are committed to building stronger communities and responding to natural disasters sustainably.

Arts and Culture

We support groundbreaking contemporary art, cultural projects and activities that explore the parallels between innovation in art and in science. 

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is devoted solely to the funding of charitable, scientific, medical and educational organizations.

The Board endeavors to support soundly-managed charitable organizations that give service with a broad scope, have a substantial effect on their target populations, and contribute materially to the general welfare. The Board does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

Helping Build Stronger Communities

Mission

The Mission Statement of Vulcan Materials Company states that Vulcan “will be a good corporate citizen in each community in which we operate. We will support and take an active part in public and charitable projects.” Vulcan established the Vulcan Materials Company Foundation in 1988 to assist in carrying out that mission. Because contributions made by the Foundation are corporate-based business dollars, it is essential that they be made in a planned and consistent manner that best serves the combined interests of Vulcan and the communities in which we operate.

Vision

Helping Build Stronger Communities

Support Priorities

The Foundation supports many types of worthwhile organizations that enhance the quality of life in Vulcan’s communities. The Vulcan Materials Foundation focuses on three areas in particular:

• Working with schools;
• Supporting environmental stewardship; and
• Encouraging employee involvement.

Education

A major focus of the Foundation is to play a part in maintaining or improving the quality of life and standard of living through the support of education.

The Foundation will consider proposals that provide public education programs and projects that enhance the quality of learning for all students. The Foundation works to support efforts to improve educational systems and individual schools in Vulcan’s communities by partnering with public schools located in its operating areas. Vulcan has adopted 230 schools in its communities through support from the Foundation. It is Vulcan’s goal to increase the number of its school partnerships every year.

The Foundation is also interested in efforts to encourage young people to develop an interest in math, science and business. The Foundation, therefore, gives consideration to proposals designed to help maintain students’ curiosity and excitement about the world of math and science and to explore the world of industry and business. The Foundation is particularly interested in helping young people and their teachers understand the relevance of math and science to society, and supports efforts to link these subjects to their application in the workplace. The Foundation also will consider programs designed to educate our students about the vital role of business and industry in society.

Higher education will play an increasingly critical role in helping the economy effectively compete in the global market. The Foundation recognizes the invaluable contributions made by institutions of higher learning in educating the nation’s future workforce.

The Foundation will consider proposals from those institutions located in states where the Company has facilities, particularly proposals that focus on science and engineering or improving public education. Although proposals for capital improvements will be considered, the Foundation prefers to fund projects that directly affect the outcome of the educational process, such as scholarships and science and technology programs.

Environmental Stewardship

The Foundation supports the philosophy that economic development and environmental stewardship have common goals. Responsible economic growth provides the resources necessary to be a good steward of the environment, while this stewardship helps to sustain growth.

There are important links between industry, the environment and technological innovation. A society that is better informed about environmental issues will be able to participate more effectively in public policy debates. Grantmaking will focus on organizations and programs that seek to develop an understanding of the connection between environmental stewardship and sustainable development. 

The Foundation will consider supporting those environmental organizations that adhere to fact-based, balanced environmental principles.

Employee Involvement

Vulcan has a history of encouraging its employees to participate in volunteer activities in their communities. We recognize that our workforce offers a unique resource to provide leadership in the communities where we operate. Thus, high priority will be given by the Foundation to proposals from those organizations in which company employees are actively involved, especially in our focus areas of education and environmental stewardship.

Geographic Funding Priorities

In addition to the corporate headquarters, located in Birmingham, Alabama, there are eight Construction Materials divisions. Further, Vulcan has 423* active aggregates facilities located in 22 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Honduras, Mexico and the Bahamas. Regarding proposals submitted to the Foundation, first consideration will be given to those organizations that will benefit the communities where Vulcan employees live and work. The Foundation’s giving program is decentralized to spread ownership of the program to a wider base. Because unit managers are directly involved with the communities where they do business, decentralization enables the Foundation to be more informed about, and to better address, local needs. Proposals submitted to the Foundation should be sent directly to the charitable contributions officer in the appropriate geographical area. 

* Updated after the acquisition of U.S. Concrete

Ameriprise Financial Grantmaking

At Ameriprise Financial, giving back is deeply rooted in our culture. We’ve initiated positive change in the communities where we live and work for more than 120 years. We believe our community involvement enables us to actively live our values. Through grant making, volunteerism and employee and financial advisor gift matching programs, we support a diverse group of over 6,000 nonprofits across the country.

Focus Areas

Awarding grant dollars to nonprofits is one way we strengthen our communities and help individuals on a path to financial independence. To ensure we're meeting the needs of our communities and making an even greater collective impact, we focus on three key giving areas when awarding grants.

Volunteer engagement is a priority across all focus areas:

The engagement of Ameriprise employees and financial advisors is a critical component of our philanthropy. Whether it’s serving on a nonprofit board, engaging friends, clients and community members in volunteering or providing skills-based support, our relationships with nonprofits go deep. For this reason, we give priority across all focus areas to applications where there is active volunteer engagement of Ameriprise advisors and employees. 

Meeting Basic Needs

At Ameriprise Financial, we help clients achieve financial security and peace of mind. That’s satisfying, meaningful work. We also help the people in our neighborhoods who struggle to meet basic needs such as where their next meal comes from, where they’ll sleep tonight or how they’ll find a higher wage job. We’re here to help them through the three platforms of our Meeting Basic Needs focus area.

Consideration is given to applications addressing the following: 

• Hunger
• Food banks, food shelves and food pantries, daily meal programs or meal services for the homebound
• Hunger-relief programs targeted to meet the special needs of children, ethnic populations or veterans
• Food programs run by nonprofits where hunger is not their sole focus, for example a youth meal program at the YWCA or a backpack program run by a Boys & Girls Club
• Shelter
• Emergency shelter, including youth homelessness
• Transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and efforts to end chronic homelessness
• Housing-first models (programs quickly providing housing and then addressing needed services)
• Achieving and maintaining home ownership, repair and maintenance efforts helping keep seniors, veterans and other populations in their homes 
• Adult Self-Sufficiency: Programs serving adults age 21 and older that help address the following areas:
• Basic hard and soft skills that help adults achieve economic and family stability
• Basic financial and budgeting skills
• Increase employability and wages, including work readiness and job transitions
• Employment of disabled adults

Supporting Community Vitality

We believe communities should be strong, healthy and resilient. We want livable places for all, where neighbors look out for one another, cultural events are well-attended and people pull together in times of crisis and joy. We work to create economic vitality and cultural enrichment through the following areas of focus.

Consideration is given to applications addressing the following: 

• Community Development
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Economic development
• Strengthening and supporting small businesses and nonprofits through technical expertise
• Cultural Enrichment
• Arts education
• Access for underserved populations
• Diverse artists and performances that spark topical community conversations 

Volunteer Driven Causes: Ameriprise employees and financial advisors are outstanding volunteers who serve in teams and also as individuals bringing personal skill-sets to nonprofits. Volunteering is part of the culture at Ameriprise and we are proud to support communities through contributions of both service and financial resources. 

Funding for Volunteer-Driven Causes is determined by current Ameriprise volunteerism. In general, funding is in proportion to the size of the Ameriprise volunteer team supporting a nonprofit. A team may include employees, financial advisors and/or staff or a combination of any Ameriprise volunteers. 

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.

Community Access Innovations

The mission of DC Health is to promote and protect the health, safety, and quality of life of residents, visitors, and those doing business in the District of Columbia. The agency is responsible for identifying health risks; educating the public; preventing and controlling diseases, injuries, and exposure to environmental hazards; promoting effective community collaborations; and optimizing equitable access to community resources.

The Community Health Administration (CHA) within DC Health promotes healthy behaviors and healthy environments to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities in the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the District. CHA focuses on population health strategies to prevent and control cancer, chronic disease, and vaccine preventable diseases; promote nutrition and physical fitness; ensure access to quality health care services; and support the health and well-being of families across the lifespan. CHA’s approach targets the behavioral, clinical, and social determinants of health through evidence-based programs, policy, and systems change.

The Family Health Bureau works to protect, promote and improve the health of families through screening and surveillance, education, community-clinical linkages, family strengthening programs, preventive services, and positive youth development.

To achieve health equity, or the highest level of health for all District residents, we must be intentional about addressing social and structural determinants of health and eliminating health disparities.

The District of Columbia, Department of Health’s (DC Health), Community Health Administration (CHA) is requesting proposals from qualified applicants to implement innovative and evidence-based strategies to provide healthcare access in the District of Columbia. The development and installation of community healthcare access hubs will aim to reduce barriers to establishing access to consistent care.

Purpose

The purpose of this funding is to pilot healthcare access hubs in the community and assess their impact on preventing and reducing inequities in maternal morbidity and mortality.

MAP Assessment Types MAP offers five assessments. Aspects common to all assessments:

• Grounded in the Core Standards
• Include Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) issues as they relate to the assessment focus
• Help museums look at both functional and strategic aspects of their operations
• Use an online platform to move through modules with narrated presentations, resources, and required activities
• Require an internal MAP team to lead the museum and be responsible for the bulk of the online work, required activities, site visit organization and action plans.

Organizational Assessment

This basic strategic and holistic assessment helps a museum look at its operations primarily from the perspective of how well activities, resources, and mission align with each other, and with professional ethics, practices, and standards.

To help a museum have a solid foundation to build on for long-term health and impact, this assessment places significant emphasis on thinking, acting, and planning strategically; organizational alignment, capacity; leadership and organizational structure; risk management; and organizational culture. This assessment assists museums define key areas of operations or functions that need to be strengthened.

Collections Stewardship Assessment

This assessment focuses on practical, ethical, and strategic collections issues and activities related to the care and management of a museum’s collections per professional practices and standards. It also looks at the collections within the context of the museum’s total operations, plans, and resource allocation.

The results will help the museum—governing authority and staff—increase its knowledge, recognize and mitigate risk, take action, prioritize long-term collections stewardship issues, gain physical and intellectual control of the collections, and write polices and plans.

Education & Interpretation Assessment

This assessment helps a museum evaluate how well it is carrying out its educational role and mission, meeting core standards for education and interpretation. In addition to looking at the museum’s current content delivery vehicles such as its exhibitions, tours, and programs, the Education Assessment considers these in context with the museum’s community, audiences, and other aspects of operations so the museum can be responsive, relevant, and trusted source of learning and educational partner in its larger education ecosystem.

The assessment also looks at the museum’s educational content creation and delivery from the perspective of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Community & Audience Engagement Assessment

This assessment focuses on the museum’s awareness and understanding of, and relationship with, its various communities and audiences; and their perception of, and experience with, the museum. It looks at what roles the museum plays in its community and vice versa. And it helps the museum look at its culture and actions when it comes to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion—all of which impact its long-term financial sustainability.

A Community & Audience Engagement assessment helps museums gather better input from their constituents, develop a more nuanced view about the community’s and audiences’ demographics and needs, respond to the changing nature of its audiences, and incorporate these findings into planning and operational decisions.

Board Leadership Assessment

This advanced assessment is for private non-profit museums with policy-making boards and paid staff which are looking for guidance on how to strengthen their institution and ensure its long-term success through more effective leadership-oriented governance.

The assessment looks at the board from three perspectives—people, work, culture—and helps them identify opportunities to move the museum beyond surviving to thriving. It also helps strengthen the board’s understanding of museum ethics and standards. (Note: Advisory boards are not eligible to participate in this Assessment.)

What you get

MAP includes the following services, valued at approximately $4,000-$6,000.

• The time, expertise, and travel expenses for one peer museum professional to visit your museum for 1-3 days and offer guidance and consultation
• A written report of the Peer Reviewer’s findings and recommendations, with prioritized next steps and resources MAP
• Self-Study Materials: a detailed workbook with questions and activities
• 3 live webinars to help you through each step of the MAP experience
• AAM’s recorded Museum Essentials Webinar Series
• An essential set of books from the Alliance Bookstore targeted to your assessment type
• Access to extensive resources, sample documents and customized reference services through our Information Center
• MAP staff guidance and feedback
• A certificate of completion

Your museum’s MAP participation is IMLS funded, but is not a grant. AAM does not disperse any money to your museum. AAM receives grant funding from IMLS to deliver this comprehensive program and service to your museum.

Collections Assessment for Preservation Program (CAP) Grant

Program Overview

The Collections Assessment for Conservation (CAP) program is designed to help small and mid-sized museums better care for their collections.

A CAP assessment is a study of an institution’s collections, buildings, and building systems, as well as its collections care policies and procedures. The assessment involves a site visit by collections and building assessors, who spend two days touring the museum and interviewing staff and governing officials. The assessors then prepare a comprehensive report that outlines recommendations for improving collections care.

A CAP assessment may assist small and mid-sized museums by:

• Providing recommendations and priorities for collections care specific to your collections
• Facilitating the development of a long-range preservation plan
• Serving as a fundraising tool for future collections projects

Our Mission

Our mission is to continue and further the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. and the Cowles family, which includes promotion of education, social justice, health, and the arts.

The Founder

The Cowles Charitable Trust was first established in 1948 by Gardner “Mike” Cowles, Jr. (1903-1985). Born into the Cowles publishing family of Des Moines, Iowa, Mike was the youngest of Gardner Cowles and Florence Call Cowles’ six children. A newspaper editor and publisher by trade, he was committed to his family’s traditions of responsible, public-spirited, and innovative journalism as well as philanthropy. 

The Cowles Charitable Trust supports the arts, education, the advancement of ethical journalism, medical and climate research.

About the Foundation

Jesse W. Couch lived a life of zeal, honor, and dedication to the betterment of his community. The Couch family now humbly stewards the foundation he created to carry on his legacy of service for future generations. We believe that impact is best accomplished through partnerships with local organizations that know the people and communities they serve. We invest in and support efforts to protect the environment, further conservation and preservation initiatives, and save historical architecture that preserves community heritage. We also support initiatives that promote wellness and mental health and organizations seeking to provide and further education for all communities.

Annual Grant Focus

Each year, we seek to partner with and support non-profit organizations making an impact in the focus areas listed here.  The focus areas for 2025 are:

• Animal Wellbeing: We are dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations that nurture compassion and respect for all living animals. We must have animal-focused organizations that advocate for animal rights and provide humane treatment across all spectrums.
• Early Childhood Education: We are looking for schools that are providing young children with a creative and balanced approach to education. Things we love in early childhood curriculums:
  • Life Skills
  • Collaboration With Their Peers and Teachers   
  • Having Fun   
  • Montessori Teachings   
  • Project Based Teachings   
  • Diversity   
  • More Time Outside   
  • Less Screen Time
• Teachers: Teachers are essential to providing children with the best possible education. We must invest in their future and are always looking for teams that help them succeed in educating future generations.
• Get Outside: Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, lower blood pressure, and more! We support organizations that facilitate and encourage more outdoor activities that help create healthier communities. 

Background

Truth Initiative is a national public health organization dedicated to achieving a culture where all young people reject smoking, vaping and nicotine and a future where tobacco and nicotine addiction are a thing of the past.

Since 2015, Truth Initiative has awarded funding to more than 200 colleges and universities to advocate for, adopt and implement a 100% tobacco/vape-free policy.

Grants

To keep the momentum going, the Truth Initiative Tobacco/Vape-Free College Program is offering grants of up to $20,000 to colleges and universities to support the adoption and implementation of a 100% tobacco/vape-free policy.

To combat the vaping epidemic, Truth Initiative is also offering grants of up to $10,000 to colleges and universities to strengthen their 100% smoke-free or tobacco-free policies by adding e-cigarettes.

Grant activities must engage and mobilize the student population and create support among faculty, staff and administration for the policy.

Project Work Plan - Required Elements

The proposal must clearly address all five core project elements:

• Taskforce
  • Form a college taskforce with broad representation of the campus including students, staff, faculty and administration.
  • The purpose of the taskforce is to spearhead the tobacco/vape-free campus project and carry out project activities including policy development.
  • Students must be represented on the taskforce.
• Assess
  • Assess tobacco-related issues including behavior, attitudes and support among students, faculty and staff.
  • Understanding the nature of the problem is the first step in any policy process. Please note that Truth Initiative will provide a survey with core questions to be conducted at your college.
• Educate and Engage
  • Educate and engage students, faculty, and staff about the need for and benefits of a 100% tobacco/vape-free campus.
  • This must be done in two ways: a) student engagement and b) education and engagement of adult staff, faculty, and decision- makers.
    • Student Engagement
      • The goal of the student engagement component is to inspire youth and young adults to use their creativity and social influence to spread the truth about tobacco and vaping, thereby driving policy change on campus
      • All applicants are required to incorporate student engagement into their grant proposal and allocate at least 15% of the total budget to student engagement events and activities.
      • Your work plan must incorporate these two student engagement activities:
        • Recruitment
          • Partner with Truth Initiative to recruit two students for the position of “College Leader.”
        • Engage, Mobilize and Advocate
• Tobacco Treatment
  • Identify a plan to address tobacco treatment for those students, faculty, and staff who are interested in quitting.
• Policy Recommendation
  • Develop a policy recommendation for a 100% tobacco/vape-free policy to present to key decision makers and finalize adoption.
  • The policy must be college-wide, affecting all campuses.

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Vision

Centene’s purpose is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this purpose. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

About

The Preservation Leadership Forum of the National Trust for Historic Preservation is a network of preservation leaders — professionals, students, volunteers, activists, experts — who share the latest ideas, information, and advice, and have access to in-depth preservation resources and training.

Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund - Mid-Atlantic States

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Henry A. Jordan, M.D., Preservation Excellence Fund provides funding to deserving organizations demonstrating commitment to the protection of natural and cultural resources in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Jordan Preservation Excellence Fund was established in November 1996 in recognition of Dr. Jordan’s distinguished service to the National Trust and his visionary leadership of the national preservation movement. Applicants can apply for up to $5,000.

The fund awards programs and activities that:

• Facilitate positive dialogues between the diverse interests of historic preservation, land conservation, business development, transportation, and government in a search for common ground in protecting the environment
• Stimulate the development of local and state policies that protect the cultural landscape and its resources
• Heighten public awareness of or increase involvement in issues relating to the livability and sustainability of communities
• Encourage innovative partnerships and approaches to open space conservation and historic preservation

About DMPSJ

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ) was reconstituted in 2011 to provide guidance, support and coordination of public safety and justice agencies of the District of Columbia. The role of the agency was expanded to include oversight of service programs that previously operated as independent agencies. DMPSJ provides agency oversight and support for citywide public safety and justice related policies, activities and initiatives under its jurisdiction including:

• Developing and supporting policies and programs to improve the delivery of services by government agencies and contracted providers;
• Coordinating interagency activities and initiatives;
• Identifying opportunities for reducing redundancies, leveraging resources, creating economies of scale, and improving outcomes;
• Ensuring compliance with local and federal mandates; and
• Collecting and disseminating performance data for agency activities and initiatives.

Each year the Mayor'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 the Mayor’s priorities for District residents.

Safe Commercial Corridors Grant Program

The Safe Commercial Corridors Grant Program is designed to promote public safety and health through evidence-based activities for residents, workers, and visitors within the area served by the organization and the surrounding area (“commercial district”). The program will fund the following activities:

• Relationship-building with residents, workers, businesses, and regular visitors;
• Connecting residents, workers, visitors, and businesses with resources available through District government agencies and direct service providers;
• Providing safe passage for individuals who request accompaniment walking to transit or their vehicles;
• Assisting businesses with improvements to their security and safety systems and protocols;
• Responding to individuals with substance use disorders and implementing harm-reduction strategies;
• Implementing de-escalation techniques;
• Deterring crime and public safety violations;
• Liaising with residents, workers, businesses, visitors, District public safety and health agencies, direct service providers in the community, and others as appropriate;
• Providing culturally competent services and programming; and
• Implementing other innovative strategies to promote public safety.

1.2 OVERVIEW

The mission of DC Health is to promote and protect the health, safety, and quality of life of residents, visitors, and those doing business in the District of Columbia. The agency is responsible for identifying health risks; educating the public; preventing and controlling diseases, injuries, and exposure to environmental hazards; promoting effective community collaborations; and optimizing equitable access to community resources.

The Community Health Administration (CHA) within DC Health works to prevent the leading causes of death, protect and promote the health of mothers and children and eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in health. CHA’s approach targets multiple factors that influence health through evidence-based programs, policies and systems change. Within CHA, the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Bureau aims to build and empower healthy communities. Bureau strategies focus on:

promoting safe, healthy behaviors

improving access to care and early detection of disease

supporting optimal disease management to avoid disease complications. Programs and initiatives center on improving data and surveillance capabilities, building healthy environments across communities, improving delivery and use of quality clinical services, and facilitating community-clinical linkages.

1.3 PURPOSE

The purpose of this funding is to prevent youth tobacco use through peer-led tobacco control programs focused on skills development and youth engagement. Organizations will host, sponsor, and facilitate NextGen Action teams that empower youth as partners and leaders to change social acceptance and reduce initiation and prevalence of tobacco use in the District.

Department of Energy and Environment

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is the leading authority on energy and environmental issues affecting the District of Columbia. Using a combination of regulations, outreach, education, and incentives, our agency administers programs and services to fulfill our mission. We work collaboratively with other government agencies, residents, businesses, and institutions to promote environmentally responsible behavior that will lead to a more sustainable urban environment.

Mission

DOEE's mission is to improve the quality of life for the residents and natural inhabitants of the nation’s capital by protecting and restoring the environment, conserving our natural resources, mitigating pollution, increasing access to clean and renewable energy, and educating the public on ways to secure a sustainable future. The agency’s core responsibilities include, but are not limited to, enforcing environmental regulations; monitoring and assessing environmental risks; developing energy and environmental policies; issuing permits; and providing residents and local businesses with funding, technical assistance, and information on initiatives designed to ensure a more resilient and sustainable city. We perform all agency mission activities with the highest integrity to uphold the public trust.

Mobile Food Vendor Electrification Pilot Program

The Department of Energy and Environment solicits grant applications from eligible entities. The goals of this Request for Applications are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to clean energy sources, mitigate noise pollution, and improve air quality in the District. DOEE seeks an eligible entity to implement the Mobile Food Vendor Electrification Pilot Project. This project will electrify at least two food trucks or other mobile food vendors operating in the District by assisting them with the purchase and installation of battery generators at low-to-no initial cost. $60,000 is available for this grant. DOEE anticipates selecting one grantee. The following DOEE programs or offices are administering this RFA: The Energy Administration; Policy & Compliance Division (PCD)

Purpose of the Grant

The purpose of this grant is to purchase and install battery generator systems for at least two mobile food vendors. Through the Mobile Food Vendor Electrification Pilot Project, DOEE will evaluate the feasibility of replacing fossil fuel generators with battery generators for mobile food vendors. The project will assess available technologies for performance, potential long-term savings, and environmental and health benefits. Once demonstrated, data gathered from the project will inform whether to pursue a similar project in the future.

About DMPSJ

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ) was reconstituted in 2011 to provide guidance, support and coordination of public safety and justice agencies of the District of Columbia. The role of the agency was expanded to include oversight of service programs that previously operated as independent agencies. DMPSJ provides agency oversight and support for citywide public safety and justice related policies, activities and initiatives under its jurisdiction including:

• Developing and supporting policies and programs to improve the delivery of services by government agencies and contracted providers;
• Coordinating interagency activities and initiatives;
• Identifying opportunities for reducing redundancies, leveraging resources, creating economies of scale, and improving outcomes;
• Ensuring compliance with local and federal mandates; and
• Collecting and disseminating performance data for agency activities and initiatives.

Each year the Mayor'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 the Mayor’s priorities for District residents.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle: WAVForce Incentives Project

Goal

The goal of this grant is to incentivize the WAV driver workforce and to create partnerships across the for-hire industry to sustain requested WAV services throughout the District of Columbia, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. While DFHV intends to assist in the early stage of development and growth of the project, ultimately, the WAV workforce project must be self-sustaining; thus, the need to partner with taxicab companies and associations to expand WAV services. To make the most efficient use of grant funds, a minimum of 50% of the funds will be dedicated to drivers’ incentives and growth of the project. DFHV will lead recruitment and training efforts at the guide of the Project Lead. For this project, DFHV aims to improve WAV service by increasing operational wheelchair accessible vehicles and WAV drivers by offering trip incentives, maintenance funds, and monthly raffle winnings directly to drivers or through their company affiliation.

Fiscal Year 2026 Whole Child and Educator Wellness Grant 

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Division of Health and Wellness (HW) is soliciting grant proposals for the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Whole Child and Educator Wellness (WCEW) Grant. This grant is funded by local funds authorized by the Fiscal Year 2026 Local Budget Act of 2025 (effective when enacted).

The purpose of the WCEW grant is to build the capacity of early childhood education (ECE) facilities and public and public charter schools in the District of Columbia (DC) to implement policies, processes, and practices that integrate health and wellness into the ECE facility or school to create and sustain healthy learning environments and foster positive student and/or educator outcomes. The WCEW grant aims to support ECE facilities and schools in implementing programs that meet or exceed DC requirements and/or standards for health and wellness programming. Aligned with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, the WCEW grant supports high-quality program implementation with a focus on coordinating policy, process, and practice to improve health and learning.

Community-based organizations (CBOs) will partner with ECE facilities and schools to provide capacity-building supports using a technical assistance (TA) model, focused on these potential areas: health education, physical education (PE), physical activity, environmental education, garden-based education, farm to ECE or school programs, and educator wellness (as determined by and subject to OSSE’s local budget appropriation). As a result of the WCEW grant, ECE facility and school teams should be well-positioned – through increased individual and organization capacity – to sustain and expand health and wellness programming beyond the grant award period.   

Department of Energy and Environment

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is the leading authority on energy and environmental issues affecting the District of Columbia. Using a combination of regulations, outreach, education, and incentives, our agency administers programs and services to fulfill our mission. We work collaboratively with other government agencies, residents, businesses, and institutions to promote environmentally responsible behavior that will lead to a more sustainable urban environment.

Mission

DOEE's mission is to improve the quality of life for the residents and natural inhabitants of the nation’s capital by protecting and restoring the environment, conserving our natural resources, mitigating pollution, increasing access to clean and renewable energy, and educating the public on ways to secure a sustainable future. The agency’s core responsibilities include, but are not limited to, enforcing environmental regulations; monitoring and assessing environmental risks; developing energy and environmental policies; issuing permits; and providing residents and local businesses with funding, technical assistance, and information on initiatives designed to ensure a more resilient and sustainable city. We perform all agency mission activities with the highest integrity to uphold the public trust.

Public Electric Vehicle Charging

The Department of Energy and Environment (The Department) seeks eligible entities to expand public electric vehicle (EV) charging at or near District Government-owned sites. The Department’s grant will support one or more grantees to plan, purchase, install, own, operate, and maintain publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure. The amount available for the project is $609,500.

Department of Energy and Environment

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is the leading authority on energy and environmental issues affecting the District of Columbia. Using a combination of regulations, outreach, education, and incentives, our agency administers programs and services to fulfill our mission. We work collaboratively with other government agencies, residents, businesses, and institutions to promote environmentally responsible behavior that will lead to a more sustainable urban environment.

Mission

DOEE's mission is to improve the quality of life for the residents and natural inhabitants of the nation’s capital by protecting and restoring the environment, conserving our natural resources, mitigating pollution, increasing access to clean and renewable energy, and educating the public on ways to secure a sustainable future. The agency’s core responsibilities include, but are not limited to, enforcing environmental regulations; monitoring and assessing environmental risks; developing energy and environmental policies; issuing permits; and providing residents and local businesses with funding, technical assistance, and information on initiatives designed to ensure a more resilient and sustainable city. We perform all agency mission activities with the highest integrity to uphold the public trust.

Small Building Re-tuning - Workforce Development Project

DOEE seeks an eligible entity to train participants to conduct re-tuning analyses and implement energy conservation measures for buildings sized between 10,000 and 50,000 ft². Re-tuning is the process of making an existing building and its energy systems operate more efficiently at low or no cost. Trained participants will help small buildings meet the District’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) requirements. The amount available for the project is $450,000.

Corporate Contributions

Community involvement and corporate citizenship are an example of Insperity’s mission in action. We are committed to helping the communities where we live and work because together, we know we can make great things happen.

Grants

Philanthropic grants are a strong part of our community outreach and aid institutions needing financial support to meet important service goals.

Event Sponsorship

Fundraising events are an important part of nonprofit support. Insperity provides event sponsorships to approved charities to assist them in meeting their financial and community goals.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Vision

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, "A Foundation for All", was established in 2002. It was begun in order to give a clear voice for those who wish to be a part of the many, worthy, forces for change in our world.

We are a foundation whose purpose is to look ahead towards the future, giving the past its due by remembering where we came from, and how much we can all accomplish together. We aim to make the critical difference on our planet by recognizing and having respect for our ever changing world. We respect all Life, the Environment, and all People, no matter who they are.