Next Gen Giving Circle Grantmaking

Next Gen Giving Circle Grantmaking is sponsored by Next Gen Giving Circle. Provides general operating support to nonprofits, practicing trust-based philanthropy with a focus on building mutually accountable relationships.

Grantmaking | Next Gen Giving Circle Our 2025 grant cycle is now closed. This year, NGGC continued to focus its grantmaking on promoting financial security for those most directly impacted by racial and economic injustice.

Giving Circle members recognize that not everyone has access to the same resources and tools for building wealth or financial security, such as access to loans, high-wage jobs, homeownership, entrepreneurship opportunities, or more. The COVID-19 pandemic deepened many of these existing inequities.

This year, we focused on supporting organizations that work with people who have historically and unjustly been left out of traditional wealth-building opportunities. Specifically, we invited applications from organizations with annual budgets of $750,000 or less that are working with historically under-resourced communities in the Greater Washington region to build wealth or financial security.

Organizations were invited to apply between June-July 2025, and could apply in English or Spanish, or by submitting video/audio formats. All applicants will be notified of their application status by September 30, 2025. Finalists will be selected for a virtual meeting with NGGC members in October 2025, with final grant decisions made in November 2025 and funds disbursed before the end of December 2025.

You can view our grantmaking materials below. Application Webinar (Recording) Application Webinar (Slides) We practice trust-based philanthropy in our grantmaking process The Next Gen Giving Circle is committed to rethinking traditional models of philanthropy and promoting more trust-based approaches to giving.

Trust-based philanthropy is a long-term movement that seeks to shift power dynamics between funders and nonprofits, building mutually accountable relationships that reflect the needs and dreams of communities. In practice, we continually improve our grantmaking process to be as transparent and accessible as possible.

We Trust Your Wisdom to Create Change We fund general operating support and do not restrict grants to specific programs Grantees are not asked to write reports on how they spend the funding We provide multi-year funding to grantees in the form of a small grant the year after they first receive funding from us (with no additional application requirements for grantees) All applicants can opt-in to receive six months of free capacity building training, offered in partnership with Spur Local A Simple Grantmaking Process Every year, giving circle members target a grant priority that best reflects our group interests.

Our grants committee then designs and releases an application each summer. Our request for proposal (RFP) process follows the same format and takes about 4 months from beginning to end. Applications are open for 6-8 weeks.

Our short application asks only five narrative questions and is accepted in English, Spanish, and as video or audio responses Notification of Eligibility Within 2 weeks of application submission, you will be notified if your organization does not meet our criteria and is ineligible for a grant Our grants committee will thoroughly review all applications for about 3 weeks and create a finalist shortlist Finalists are notified and are invited for a virtual visit between staff members of the finalist organizations and giving circle members Giving circle members review finalist application materials, including site visit notes, and cast their votes on grantees and grant amounts Grantees are notified and are provided details to complete disbursement of grant funds Since 2020, our giving circle has granted over $200,000 to support local organizations, with a focus on resourcing small and BIPOC-led nonprofits.

Through 2024, we have awarded grants to 26 nonprofits across the region, with each grant averaging $7,000 and typically ranging between $2,500 to $15,000. We received 59 applications and gave $27,500 to five organizations working at the intersection of racial equity and economic empowerment .

We also gave $5,000 in multi-year grants to 2024 grantees and $2,500 in stipends to several applicants, as part of our effort to recognize their work and meet the moment. Juanita C. Grant Foundation Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network We received 64 applications and gave $25,000 to five organizations working at the intersection of racial equity and economic empowerment .

We also gave $5,000 in multi-year grants to 2023 grantees. Concentric Community Care We received 56 applications and gave $35,000 to five organizations working at the intersection of racial equity and economic empowerment . We also gave $4,000 in multi-year grants to 2022 grantees.

Mother's Outreach Network Restaurant Opportunities Center DC Montgomery County Black Collective We received 38 applications and gave $40,000 to four organizations working at the intersection of racial equity and economic empowerment. We also gave $15,000 in multi-year grants to 2021 grantees.

Hope Foundation Reentry Network Tenants and Workers United We received 55 applications and gave $40,000 to six organizations working at the intersection of racial equity and economic empowerment . We also gave $4,000 in follow up support grants to its 2020 recipients.

Centerville Immigration Forum Restaurant Opportunities Center DC American Muslim Senior Society We received 55 applications and gave $25,000 to five organizations working on housing and food access in the Greater Washington region. We also gave a discretionary $5,000 relief grant (no application) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Want to join the Next Gen membership?

Learn more about becoming a member of the Next Gen Giving Circle and taking a great step to making an impact in our community!