The RACE to Rebuilding Trust & Community Grant is an equity-centered funding program initiated by Arlington County, Virginia, in partnership with United Way of the National Capital Area. Launched in 2023, this annual grant supports nonprofits working to address community-defined needs and reduce racial and social disparities, with a strong focus on historically marginalized populations.
Grants support either direct programmatic efforts or operational enhancements that enable an organization to better serve the community. Nonprofits may propose initiatives tied to human services or systemic challenges affecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in Arlington. In FY 2025, the County awarded $2.39 million across 22 grantees, with individual awards capped based on organizational budget size: up to $150,000 for organizations with budgets over $250,000, and $75,000 for smaller nonprofits.
The application process includes a written proposal submitted via Submittable and an oral presentation reviewed by a community review panel. Proposals are evaluated equally on written and oral components using a detailed rubric. Applicants can attend technical assistance sessions, and resources like the Race & Ethnicity Dashboard and Leading with RACE learning modules are encouraged to strengthen submissions.
The next application cycle (FY 2027) is expected to open in Fall 2025. All applicants must either be located in Arlington or demonstrate that they directly serve Arlington residents. Only one-year proposals will be accepted.
Use County templates. Tie responses to scoring rubric. Back anecdotes with data. Attend optional TA sessions.
