WASHINGTON, D.C. – In its first year, the Next Gen Giving Circle has awarded $30,000 in grants to organizations who are responding to the COVID crisis in Black and Hispanic communities across the region. Grant criteria focused on racial equity, as recent studies have shown that POC-led organizations receive significantly fewer resources than their white-led counterparts, and smaller nonprofits whose budgets do not exceed $500,000.
“We are thrilled to share the results of the Next Gen Giving Circle's first grant round. While 2020 threw us all some unexpected curveballs, our members' support for local community causes never wavered. Because of them, $25,000 in new dollars are supporting our neighbors across the region to support Black and brown communities who disproportionately face COVID-19’s health and economic impacts,” said Next Gen Giving Circle Co-Chair Carlyn Madden.
The 2020 grant breakout as follows:
The $10,000 grant has been awarded to Dreaming Out Loud, which provides support for families in D.C. and Prince George’s County with fresh produce and healthy meals made by Black food entrepreneurs.
The $7,500 grant has been awarded to Hyacinth’s Place, which provides residence and community support for formerly homeless women with mental illness on Bladensburg Road NE.
A $2,500 grant has been awarded to Tenants and Workers United, who organizes immigrant communities across Northern Virginia around eviction prevention.
A $2,500 grant has been awarded to We Are Family Senior Outreach Network, which provides food delivery and services to inner-city seniors.
A $2,500 grant has been awarded to ECO City Farms, which has increased its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) shares to reach more food insecure residents of Prince George’s County.
In addition, as part of the Giving Circle's rapid response to the COVID crisis, $5,000 was granted to DC Safe this April to support the increased instances of domestic violence as a result of the shelter in place order.
About the Next Gen Giving Circle: Founded in 2019, the Next Gen Giving Circle's mission is to cultivate the next generation of philanthropists in the greater Washington D.C. region.
The Giving Circle is comprised of members contributing monthly donations that get pooled together for impactful grants to community causes. Members convene throughout the year to connect and engage with the local community.
The Giving Circle's funds are held at the Greater Washington Community Foundation, which supports and connects our region's dedicated donors with nonprofits working to improve our communities.
The Next Gen Giving Circle is accepting new members now through December 31st. Anyone who is interested in supporting community causes in the Greater Washington region is invited to visit our website (www.nextgengivingcircle.org/membership) to learn more about becoming a member.