Martha’s Table Community Impact Fund Grant

Martha’s Table Community Impact Fund Grant is sponsored by Martha’s Table. Empowers grassroots organizations in Ward 8, Washington D. C.

, focusing on capacity-building projects to foster community resilience.

Community Impact Fund - Martha's Table The Community Impact Fund provides grants to strengthen and grow nonprofits based in Ward 8. This investment supports organizations that have been historically excluded from institutional philanthropy and whose leadership and staff reflect the diversity, experiences, and lived experiences of the communities they represent.

The Community Impact Fund provides unrestricted grants to strengthen community organizations. We partner with selected grantees in Ward 8, chosen for their deep local knowledge and trusted relationships, to strengthen community-led solutions and advance equitable opportunities.

We are especially interested in projects that align with our organizational priorities, including: Must be a 501(c)(3) organization or operate under a fiscal sponsor Primarily serve Ward 8 residents for at least one year Operate with an annual budget under $1 million Ascensions Community Service Inc. Crowned in Resilience Foundation Eagles Nest Youth Association Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso – FAN Metropolitan Washington DC Chapter of NCBW 100 Fuel innovative, resident-led solutions.

Apply for a grant to receive support for your Ward 8, community-driven work. Share your expertise and help ensure that funding reaches the most impactful local programs. Help connect more organizations to this innovative community investment opportunity.

Learn About Past Grantees History of The Community Impact Fund Since 1980, Martha’s Table has supported strong children, strong families, and strong communities in DC. We know that neighbors understand best what their communities need to thrive, so we invest directly in local organizations.

The Community Impact Fund at The Greater Washington Community Foundation strengthens grassroots groups in Ward 8 that have historically been excluded from traditional philanthropy. We prioritize organizations led by people whose leadership and staff reflect the communities they serve, helping them grow, innovate, and sustain their work.

Director of Community Programs Charles Gussom is a native Washington who was raised in and endured the trials and tribulations of an urban poverty-stricken… Frequently Asked Questions What is the Martha’s Table Community Impact Fund? The Martha’s Table Community Impact Fund is a grant program to support and strengthen Ward 8 nonprofits.

This direct investment will help build capacity for organizations historically excluded from institutional philanthropy and whose leadership and staff reflect the demographic composition and lived experiences of the communities they serve. How many grants are available and what are the grant amounts? Typically, up to 10 unrestricted, two-year general operating grants are awarded annually.

Each grant will be a maximum of $15,000 per year, totaling up to $30,000. The funds can be used to support various activities, including targeted initiatives and/or unrestricted capacity-building. Martha’s Table has a particular interest in projects that align with our organizational priorities, including: Quality Early Childhood Education What can the grant funding be used for?

Grant funding can be used to support a wide range of mission-focused activities, from supporting specific, targeted initiatives to unrestricted use for capacity-building, with a particular interest in projects that: Pilot new and innovative solutions to community challenges Build or enhance organizational infrastructure (for example: business and fiscal management) Improve or expand program operations and outcomes (for example: increase program enrollment What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a grant?

To be eligible, applicants must: Be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit AND status must be in good standing by having filed a form 990 or 990N in the last three years. Be based in, or primarily serve, Ward 8 as defined by the 2022 Ward boundaries map for at least one year. Have an annual operating budget of less than $1,000,000.

Not be listed on the OFAC Sanctions List or be a registered hate group with the Southern Poverty Law Center If you do not meet the eligibility criteria at this time, please be advised that Martha’s Table has other training and technical assistance programs that your organization may qualify for. Please contact Charles Gussom at cgussom@marthastable. org for more information.

What is the application deadline? Please check back in the Summer 2026 for upcoming deadlines. Applicants must submit a proposal via The Greater Washington Community Foundation’s online application system by 5:00 p.

m. on September 15, 2025 . Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by November 2025 .

How does the review and grant recipient selection process remain fair and equitable? Martha’s Table has taken multiple steps to ensure the proposal review and grant recipient selection process remains fair and equitable. A neutral third party, the Greater Washington Community Foundation, is managing the application and review process, as well as distributing grant funds.

Proposals will be reviewed by a volunteer Review Committee that resides and/or works primarily in Ward 8. All members will sign confidentiality agreements and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. All members are required to attend bias training.

Proposals will be evaluated under a blind review (reviewers will not know the name of the organization applying), and multiple reviewers will evaluate each proposal to reduce the potential for bias. At no time in the application or review process are Martha’s Table staff or Board members involved in proposal evaluation or grant decision-making. Who will review the applications and select the grant recipients?

A Review Committee of volunteers who live and/or work primarily in Ward 8 will conduct a blind review and scoring of proposals. It is our hope that the reviewers will reflect the diversity of our neighbors including but not limited to parents, seasoned citizens, returning citizens, young adults, members of the LGBTQIA community, and those living with a disability. I’m interested in serving on the Review Committee.

What are the eligibility requirements, volunteer expectations, and compensation?

To serve on the Review Committee, an individual must: Live and/or work primarily in Ward 8 Commit to approximately 10 hours of training Disclose any conflicts of interest and sign a confidentiality agreement Not be on the current staff or Board member of Martha’s Table or an applying organization Review Committee members will receive a $500 stipend for their time and service.

I’m having trouble accessing or have questions about the application portal. Who do I contact? For questions or help regarding the online application system, please contact Ben Murphy, at bmurphy@thecommunityfoundation.

org I have a general question about the funding opportunity or application requirements. Who do I contact? For questions regarding the Community Impact Fund grants, application requirements, or Review Committee, please contact Charles Gussom at cgussom@marthastable.

org. I need access to a computer, software, and/or the internet in order to complete a grant application. What should I do?

Please email Charles Gussom at cgussom@marthastable. org to schedule a day and time to use a computer and internet at Martha’s Table location at The Commons (2375 Elvans Road SE Washington, DC 20020. Fill out this form or contact Charles Gussom at cgussom@marthastable.

org Contact Us for Program Page Builder July 28, 2026 at 12:25 PM Revving Up the Future: Inside the Virtual Reality Auto Tech Training Program In partnership with Vehicles for Change, Martha’s Table offers the innovative 15-week Virtual Reality (VR) Auto Tech Training Program (ATTP).

Facilitated by Mathews Carter, the course provides immersive, hands-on experience and a $2,000 learn-to-earn incentive as participants prepare for three Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. July 27, 2026 at 12:43 PM Building The Village: Inside Martha’s Table’s Baby Sprinkle What begins with a small gesture of mocktails and a bouquet turns into something much bigger.

At Martha’s Table’s annual Baby Sprinkle, 100 mothers found not only essential resources but also a community ready to support them through pregnancy and beyond. Read how one evening helped build a village that will last long after the celebration ended.

Guest Author: Michael Haynes, Digital Communications & Content Intern & Karel Fellow Beyond the Classroom: Early Childhood Learning that Transforms Discover how our community-centered early childhood education program in Ward 8, Washington DC, sparks curiosity and ignites potential—far beyond the classroom!

From daily exercise and early literacy support to Child Savings Accounts and unforgettable field trips where wildlife comes up close and personal, learn how we champion educational equity in DC. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.