Community Grants

Investing in the DC Nonprofit Community

The District is our home, too, and with venues and facilities throughout the city, Events DC is dedicated to supporting the local non-profit community.

To us, being a good neighbor and an active and engaged member of the community means finding ways to give back and lending our support to those on the front lines that positively impact our city.

Learn more about our community grant program and other community initiatives and opportunities below to find out how we’re making sure Washington, DC stays the best place to live, work and play.

As an active and engaged community member, Events DC is proud to continue to support the future of non-profit organizations in Washington, DC that promote youth participation in both the arts and athletics.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, Events DC was pleased to provide funding for the program of $750,000 during two grant cycles ($375,000 in the first cycle and $375,000 in the second cycle). The grant program provides financial support to qualifying non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting children through sports, performing arts or cultural arts in the District of Columbia.

Community Grants FY2026 C2 has now closed.

Community Grants Cycle 1 FY2027 applications will open on June 15, 2026, with a submission deadline of August 3, 2026.

Have questions or need additional information? Contact Us
When submitting general questions, please do not attach any confidential documents.

GUIDELINES:

EVENTS DC COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2026 GUIDELINES (PDF)
EVENTS DC COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM FISCAL YEAR 2026 APPLICATION CHECKLIST (PDF)
Please refer to the instructional video below to learn how SmartSimple, the platform for applications, works.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to be considered:

Must not have received an Events DC community grant in cycle 1 of FY2026.
Be a DC-based non-profit organization certified as tax exempt in accordance with criteria set forth by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code and granted an exemption from District of Columbia income and franchise taxes, pursuant to DC Code § 47-1802.01;
Utilize grant funding for programs or projects that support youth-focused sports, performing or cultural arts in the District of Columbia;
Present a copy of an annual financial audit conducted by a certified public accountant for the organization’s most recent fiscal year; or if the organization has not conducted an annual financial audit, a copy of the organization’s IRS Form 990 for the most recent tax year; and
A copy of an active business license issued by the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), formerly DCRA – Corporations Division (indicating an “active” business license at the time of application and agreeing to maintain such status throughout the grant period). Please see grant guidelines for an explanation on active business licenses.

INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS:

Events DC will offer online informational sessions. Please come back for dates and times after June 15, 2026.

INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO FOR THE GRANTS MANAGEMENT TOOL