District of Columbia Workforce Development Grants

This grant provides funding to organizations that will create job opportunities and training for local residents while improving the environmental conditions of Kingman and Heritage Islands through ecological restoration and community engagement activities.

This funding opportunity supports research by colleges and universities in Washington, DC, to evaluate the effectiveness of youth employment and career readiness programs for young people aged 9 to 24.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to develop training programs that prepare workers for energy efficiency jobs in small buildings, helping to meet upcoming energy performance standards in Washington, D.C.

This funding opportunity is designed to support community organizations in providing intensive mentoring and support services for at-risk youth aged 10 to 14 who are involved with the juvenile justice system in Washington, DC.

This funding initiative provides financial support to small food businesses in specific cultural corridors of Washington, DC, helping them grow and thrive while preserving the community's cultural identity.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support youth in low-to-moderate income communities through mentorship, education, and health services in select U.S. cities.

This grant provides financial support to small businesses and startups that are expanding or establishing operations in Washington, DC, with a focus on job creation and occupancy of commercial office space.

This program provides scholarships to District residents pursuing careers in high-demand healthcare professions, addressing the shortage of healthcare workers in underserved communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that create hands-on STEAM workshops for underserved youth, enhancing technical skills and career exploration opportunities within the Best Buy Teen Tech Centers network.

This program provides training and funding opportunities for microbusinesses in Wards 7 and 8 of Washington, DC, helping them develop essential entrepreneurial skills and compete for cash awards.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and private enterprises in the District of Columbia to deliver services that prevent homelessness and assist individuals and families in securing stable housing.

This funding opportunity supports programs that provide structured financial industry exposure and training for District youth aged 16 to 18, fostering early career interest and skill development.

This competition provides female and non-binary founders in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area the chance to win a $10,000 cash prize by pitching their growth-oriented startups to investors.

This grant provides funding to organizations that support entrepreneurship education and workforce development for youth in Washington, D.C., helping them gain essential business skills and leadership experience.

This program provides financial incentives to businesses relocating to or expanding within Washington, DC, with a focus on job creation, capital investment, and economic growth in key industry sectors.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC, to create innovative public humanities projects, such as festivals, exhibitions, and performances, that engage and educate the community.

This grant provides funding for individuals and organizations in Washington, DC, to create projects that celebrate and preserve the culture and heritage of local communities, culminating in a public event to showcase their work.

This funding opportunity supports individuals and organizations in Washington, DC, to document and preserve the oral histories of local residents, focusing on community collaboration and culturally significant themes.

This grant provides funding for DC-based individuals, community groups, and nonprofit organizations to create innovative public programs that showcase existing oral history collections and engage the local community.

The 2025 Rec for All Programming Grant, administered by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), seeks to support community-based organizations in delivering inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities for youth in the District of Columbia. This initiative aligns with Mayor Bowser's goals of fostering physical, social, and emotional wellness while promoting skill development and community engagement. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants Management System by January 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST, and late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. The program provides funding of up to $100,000 per award to support the launch or expansion of structured recreational programs. Eligible categories include Cultural Arts (e.g., mural development, theater, and drama therapy), Youth Development (e.g., leadership development and STEM/STEAM education), Environmental Initiatives (e.g., gardening and nutrition), Sports/Athletics (e.g., fitness and e-sports), and Therapeutic Recreation. Programs must deliver at least 120 hours of structured services over a minimum of six weeks to youth aged 6–18. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to provide high-quality programming and align their proposals with DPR’s core values of equity, inclusion, empowerment, community, sustainability, and innovation. Proposals must include a detailed program narrative, participant recruitment strategies, an itemized budget, and proof of the program’s location and accessibility. Grantees are required to comply with reporting, monitoring, and branding requirements set by DPR, including regular updates and data collection. Applications will be evaluated by a review panel based on scoring criteria, including organizational and participant profiles, program description, and budget justification. The total funding pool for FY25 is $2 million, with multiple awards anticipated. Notifications of award decisions will be issued after a thorough review process, and grantees must meet compliance requirements, including background checks and site inspections, before program launch. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend the pre-application meeting on December 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM at DPR Headquarters. For additional information or assistance, contact LaShaun N. Basil at [email protected]. Detailed requirements and application materials are available on the DPR Grants webpage.