Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Grant Program

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Washington, D.C., with a mission to improve the quality of life for residents in the D.C. metropolitan region. This includes the District of Columbia, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland, and Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, and Falls Church in Virginia. The Foundation emphasizes the creation of a more equitable region through support for nonprofit organizations that align with its funding priorities. The Foundation funds work in five key program areas: Arts & Humanities, Community Services, Education, Environment, and Health & Wellness. The Arts & Humanities grants support a broad spectrum of cultural initiatives that highlight diversity, encourage social change, and promote underrepresented voices. Community Services grants encompass subfields such as Children, Youth and Families, Community Development, Justice, Workforce Development, and Capacity Building. These grants aim to empower individuals, build equitable systems, and promote community engagement. Education funding is designed to support equitable, high-quality learning experiences across all age groups, while Environment grants focus on protecting natural resources, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Health & Wellness funding targets healthcare access, food security, and advocacy work aimed at ensuring equitable health outcomes across demographics. To be eligible, applicants must be IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charities with a 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) designation and serve residents within the specified geographic area. Organizations may apply only once every 12 months. The Foundation does not support individuals, 509(a)(3) supporting organizations, or those with missions outside its core funding priorities. Endowments and multi-year grants are rarely funded. Applications must seek general operating or program support; capital projects require prior approval and invitation. The grant submission process is fully online via a grantee portal that opens one month prior to each application deadline: March 1, July 1, and November 1. All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on the deadline date; if the deadline falls on a weekend, submissions are accepted the following Monday. The Foundation does not require a letter of inquiry for general or project support but does mandate an invitation for capital project submissions. All applications must include either an organizational narrative or both organizational and project narratives, depending on the request type. Applicants must also submit financial documentation and comply with a checklist of attachments. The typical review timeline for submissions ranges from four to six months. During this time, Foundation staff may reach out to schedule meetings to gather additional information. All applicants are notified in writing of funding decisions. Q&A sessions for prospective grantees are held in February, June, and October, offering an opportunity to interact with Foundation staff and clarify aspects of the application process. These sessions are especially recommended for organizations that have not received previous grants from the Foundation. Contact information for general inquiries includes a central email address ([email protected]) and a phone number (202-223-3100). While the Foundation does not provide specific award ceilings or funding totals in its public materials, it emphasizes flexible general operating support. No PDF application documents were directly linked in the public materials.

General operating support is preferred; capital project requests must be discussed with staff and are by invitation only.