Sprouting Fund

NEW APPLICANTS:

Before you learn about our grantmaking programs, we recommend you read about Our Grantmaking Work. We’ll give a short and simple version through examples of what we fund and what we don’t fund.

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KEY INFO–

Grant Size: $2,000 – $10,000

  • Application Opens: August 14, 2026
  • Application Closes: September 18, 2026
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The Sprouting Fund is designed to support new groups and organizations that are just beginning their journey in racial justice through systems change work. Launched in Spring 2024, this fund is targeted at smaller, newer groups that are less likely to be funded by traditional philanthropy. (Ex: Light to Life, Madre Tierra, Save Chinatown Solidarity Network DC). Organizations that have never received a grant from DC Fund before are eligible to receive funding through the Sprouting Fund if they have budgets of $50,999 or less. You can read more about our programs redesign process here.

The Sprouting Fund is dedicated to nurturing new and emerging projects that align with our mission to address systemic injustices. We are looking for innovative ideas and passionate activists who are ready to make a difference in their communities. If your organization fits the criteria above, we encourage you to apply and join us in creating meaningful change.

SPROUTING FUND'S PURPOSE

Launch work by and for people impacted by systemic harm

Support new and growing changemakers building community power

Build connections among DC Fund grantees to strengthen their efforts on common issues

Build connections among DC Fund grantees to strengthen their efforts on common issues

Build trust-based relationships between community and DC Fund

ELIGIBILITY

Led by people of color and focused on DC residents

Employing approaches and strategies (like power building) to tackle problems at the root by engaging affected communities to find solutions, organize against oppression, and create systemic change

Amplifying the leadership and voices of those directly affected by the issues and needs being addressed

Led by people of color and focused on DC residents

Transferring power and resources to directly affected communities

Launching and/or implementing community-led campaigns addressing social and racial justice issues harming DC residents OR starting new work to address a new systemic issue

Take the eligibility quiz to get the link to the application

FALL 2026 Key Dates

*9/18/2026 Application Closes 11:59 pm

Late October- Community-led Grantmaking Decision Process
Mid to Late November- Announcements & Disbursement Begins

Frequently Asked Questions

The Sprouting Fund aims to launch racial justice work in DC, specifically systems change work, by and for people affected by systemic harm. Black, brown, Indigenous, and People of the Global Majority are systematically disinvested, underrecognized and harmed by District’s laws, agencies’ administration, and budgets. We want to support community-led groups who are pushing back against oppression, dismantling systems of harm, and creating a just DC.

In short, when we say “systems change work” what we mean is that there are several systems (legal, administrative, financial, political, cultural and social) that run and make DC function. These systems affect every person living within the District. Several of these systems are designed and maintained to harm people of color, specifically Black communities (a 2024 example is the Crimini bus legislation). We fund groups that are building community power and engaging in work to dismantle these systems through mobilizing, organizing, and advocacy to create change to stop the harm, create space for healing, and allow people of color to live with dignity and respect.

We fund groups that are less likely to be funded by traditional philanthropy and/or government grant programs either because they lack 501c3 status or because they seem “too small”, “too risky” or “too Black” to fund. We believe that healing and justice can happen when the people most affected by the issues being addressed are designing, implementing and leading change.

We don’t fund businesses or corporations. We make some exceptions for businesses that meet the eligibility criteria, are explicitly doing systems change work in DC and current and prior DC Fund grantee partners can attest they are part of the movement.

Our grants are general support grants and grantee partners can use the funds for anything that advances their systems change work in DC and stays within the 501c3 expenses.

We encourage you to visit our What We Do page to learn more about how we show up for DC local movements. In short, when we say we are a community-led grantmaker, what we mean is that the Grantmaking Team, local community leaders who identify as people of color, make final grant decisions on behalf of DC Fund, not our instigating staff or board, nor our funders.

Yes! Groups and organizations without 501c3 IRS status can apply. If awarded, awardees will need a fiscal sponsor to receive the grant.