Greater Washington Community Foundation
The Greater Washington Community Foundation is a public charity based in Washington, DC. Established in 1973, it connects donors with nonprofits and local communities and supports charitable giving, community initiatives, and efforts to build a thriving region.
Greater Washington Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Greater Washington Community Foundation gave $116.9M across 1,417 grants in 2025 (avg $82K), mostly in District of Columbia. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $116,850,076
- +39.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1,417
- +21.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $82,463
- +14.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $518,339,863
- -2.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (476 of 1,364, 2025)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Greater Washington Community Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its open competitive grant rounds when available; it also issues invite-only opportunities. Check the specific opportunity’s guidelines for eligibility, application requirements, and timing.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1325 G Street Nw Suite 480, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 955-5890
Website: https://thecommunityfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
7 open opportunities from Greater Washington Community Foundation
Community Resilience Initiative Bridge Grants
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Developing Families Maternal Health Fund
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
GWCF: Health Equity Fund - Demonstration Projects Grant
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Greater Washington Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was DC Action for Children ($9.1M). Together the top 10 received $30.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 22 grants to individuals ($383,710), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
5,783 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4,019 grants of 5,783 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its regional work as centered on DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Northern Virginia. Its nonprofit FAQs specify competitive-grant service areas in DC; Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland; and Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, the City of Falls Church, and Loudoun County in Virginia.
In filing year 2025, 55% of grant dollars went to recipients in DC, 15% to Maryland, and 10% to Virginia. Other leading recipient states were New York at 4% and Illinois at 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 1,417 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Greater Washington Community Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 476 of 1,364 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $52K; repeat grants $103K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $59.1M (2019) to $116.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 1,417 grants totaling $116.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DC Action for Children Washington, DC | General Support | $9,114,600 |
| Greater Washington Urban League Washington, DC | General Support | $4,525,860 |
| Islamic Relief USA Alexandria, VA | General Support | $3,800,000 |
| Washington Area Community Investment Fund Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $2,820,000 |
| Reflection Park Inc Silver Spring, MD | General Support | $2,600,000 |
| Lockheed Martin Community Affairs Bethesda, MD | Disaster Relief | $1,754,250 |
| Better Markets Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $1,600,000 |
| The Oasis Initiative Foundation Northbrook, IL | General Support | $1,535,000 |
| Gonzaga College High School Washington, DC | General Support | $1,515,000 |
| Americans of Faith Atlanta, GA | General Support | $1,500,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Greater Washington Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $518,339,863 | $123,242,853 | $130,100,629 | $116,850,076 | 1,417 | $38,320,454 |
| 2024 | $530,876,833 | $99,984,918 | $100,751,172 | $83,729,369 | 1,163 | $24,431,024 |
| 2023 | $477,271,238 | $93,501,525 | $107,432,835 | $89,324,518 | 983 | $4,881,032 |
| 2022 | $525,338,994 | $244,699,070 | $94,847,602 | $81,035,100 | 1,132 | $39,891,305 |
| 2021 | $392,777,652 | $159,397,708 | $117,998,306 | $70,458,844 | 1,088 | $54,232,392 |
| 2020 | $308,786,406 | $81,678,306 | $77,019,552 | $62,522,217 | 1,034 | $19,373,261 |
| 2019 | $338,145,261 | $78,105,355 | $73,708,004 | $59,096,507 | 934 | $17,175,384 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to galvanize donors and doers around a vision grounded in economic justice, growing opportunity and securing prosperity for everyone in the region. Its website describes a strategic vision focused on equity, economic justice, and addressing the region’s racial wealth gap. The organization says it invests in a range of causes, including arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environment and animals, health, human rights, human services, international relations, public policy and advocacy, religion, sports and recreation, and workforce development.
Its 2023 filing describes three program areas: administration of charitable giving vehicles, internal initiatives addressing regional needs, and fiscal sponsorship. The filing names the Greater Washington Workforce Development Collaborative, Partnership to End Homelessness, and Voices DMV as initiatives during that reporting period. It also says the Foundation administered more than 750 funds at that time.
The Foundation makes grants to eligible nonprofit organizations and, through some scholarship programs, to individual students. Among its 2025 grantees, DC Action described its work as using research, data, and a racial equity lens to improve outcomes for DC children. The Greater Washington Urban League described a mission focused on the monetary and political well-being of historically disenfranchised Black communities. Other grantees included Islamic Relief USA, which says it provides relief and development regardless of gender, race, or religion, and the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, which focuses on equity and economic opportunity in underserved DC-area communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 1,417 grants totaling $116,850,076. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $9,114,600, with a median of $20,000. The largest reported grants included $9,114,600 to DC Action for Children, $4,525,860 to the Greater Washington Urban League, $3,800,000 to Islamic Relief USA, and $2,820,000 to the Washington Area Community Investment Fund. The filing listed the purposes of these grants as general support.
The Foundation describes two grant types. Donor-recommended grants are awarded according to recommendations from donors or their designated representatives and are not open or competitive applications. Discretionary grants are awarded through scheduled competitive rounds or solicited, invite-only opportunities. The Foundation says it holds four quarterly cycles for open programs and posts available rounds online and through its newsletter. Grant committees review applications against each fund’s charitable mission and criteria. Its nonprofit FAQs say due diligence may take three to six months; applicants should consult the specific opportunity guidelines for timelines and notification dates.
The Foundation says it generally makes competitive grants to nonprofits located in and/or directly serving residents of DC, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and specified Northern Virginia jurisdictions. It does not award grants to individuals through its general nonprofit grantmaking. Applicants generally need 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and cannot be classified as private foundations; organizations operating under a nonprofit fiscal sponsor may also submit inquiries or proposals. Grantees must provide an IRS determination letter or proof of fiscal sponsorship upon request.
The listed LEARN Foundation Scholarship supports eligible graduating seniors in specified Prince George’s County ZIP codes; its stated deadline of May 10, 2026 has passed. The Learn24 OST Scholarship Program is listed as open for eligible DC students seeking support for out-of-school-time programs. The Health Equity Fund’s demonstration-project opportunity invites qualified respondents to submit letters of intent on a rolling basis until its stated deadline or until funds are exhausted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sean D Morris as board chair, Clifford White as board vice chair, David E Shiffrin as board secretary, and Quanda M Allen as board treasurer. It also lists Archie Smart, Catherine Leggett, David Roodberg, Denielle Pemberton-Heard, Jill Landefeld, and Artis Hampshire-Cowan as board members; Hampshire-Cowan’s listing notes an end date of September 2024.
Greater Washington Community Foundation is led by Tonia R. Wellons, President & CEO since 2021 (on filings since 2019); 9 of 31 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tonia R. Wellons
President & CEO
Vice President & Community Investment → President & CEO, 2021
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$190K (2019) → $395K (2025)
Sean D. Morris
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawnn Leary
Senior Director Grants & Special Initiatives
Senior Director & Grants → Senior Director Grants & Special Initiatives, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$129K (2024) → $133K (2025)
Danielle L. Yates
Md, Marketing & Communications
Senior Director, Marketing & Comms → Director, Marketing & Comms, 2020
Director, Marketing & Comms → Md, Marketing & Communications, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$109K (2019) → $164K (2025)
Juliana S. Mitrojorgji
Chief Financial Officer
Md & Finance → Senior Director of Finance, 2022
Senior Director of Finance → Chief Financial Officer, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$136K (2019) → $217K (2025)
Marcus L. Braxton
Chief Operating Officer
Managing Director & Operations → Chief Operating Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$172K (2022) → $240K (2025)
Helen Conteh-Davies
Controller
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$134K (2023) → $136K (2025)
Tiffanie Purvis
General Counsel & Senior Philan Advisor
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$183K (2024) → $190K (2025)
Christopher Howie
Md & Development
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$152K (2025)
Darius Graham
Md & Community Investment
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$190K (2025)
David E. Shiffrin
Board Secretary
Board Member → Board Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Roodberg
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lia Dean
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Leder
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard K. Bynum
Board Member
Board Member → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William W. Taylor III
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denielle Pemberton-Heard
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Goslins
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Archie Smart
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Artis Hampshire-Cowan
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Moore Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael A. Echols
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald Machen
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Leggett
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jill Landefeld
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew W. Edwards
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle L. Bender
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Quanda M. Allen
Board Treasurer
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
S. Decker Anstrom
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Clifford White
Board Vice Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lesley-Jane Dixon
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (42)
- Former: Cliff White (2019–2024) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: John Devine (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Katharine Weymouth (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Tim Hwang (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Lesley Jane Dixon (2020–2024) — Board Treasurer
- Former: Rashawn Ray (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Ebony J. Clark (2021–2024) — Director of Emp Engage
- Former: Rachel Crawford (2024) — Director of Finance
- Former: Rebecca Rothey (2019–2023) — Former Vice President & Phil
- Former: Sterling Speirn (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Catherine M. Pino (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Simon Neal (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Darcelle Wilson (2023) — Snr Director & Prince George's Cty
- Former: Melanie Folstad (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Angela Willingham (2020–2022) — Vice President & Development
- Former: Benton Murphy (2021–2022) — Senior Director Committee Investment
- Former: Ronald Galvin (2022) — Managing Director & Community Investment
- Former: Artis Hampshire Cowan (2019–2021) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Charlene Dukes (2019–2021) — Board Secretary
- Former: Kenny Emson (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Pat Alcus (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Neal Simon (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Debbi Jarvis (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Veronica Jeon (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Anna Hargrave (2021) — Executive Director & Montgomery County
- Former: D Archibald Smart (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Bruce McNamer (2019–2020) — President & CEO
- Former: Joanne Pipkin (2019–2020) — Senior Director & Phil Srvs
- Former: Shannon Scott (2019–2020) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Mary Anderson (2020) — Director & Dc Officer
- Former: Amina Anderson (2019) — Director & Dc Officer
- Former: Bill Taylor (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Cathy Sultzberger (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Daniel Mayers (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Denise Turner Roth (2019) — Board Vice Chair
- Former: Desiree Griffin-Moore (2019) — Executive Director & Prince George's County
- Former: Ethelbert Miller (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin Beverly (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Nancy Kfoury PhD (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Siobhan Doherty (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Wendy Goldberg (2019) — Board Member
- Former: William Shipp (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $395K, to Tonia R Wellons (President & CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Greater Washington Community Foundation
How much does Greater Washington Community Foundation give each year?
Greater Washington Community Foundation gave $116.9M across 1,417 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $83.7M across 1,163 grants.
What is Greater Washington Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Greater Washington Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $82,463, across 1,417 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Greater Washington Community Foundation that year got $52K on average.
Where does Greater Washington Community Foundation give grants?
Greater Washington Community Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (15%) and Virginia (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (529 grants), New York, NY (59 grants), Bethesda, MD (43 grants) and Silver Spring, MD (39 grants).
Does Greater Washington Community Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 89% of Greater Washington Community Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1,266 of 1,417) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (90 grants), "Disaster Relief" (40 grants) and "Small Business Grant" (17 grants).
Who are Greater Washington Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Greater Washington Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include DC Action for Children ($9,114,600), Greater Washington Urban League ($4,525,860) and Islamic Relief USA ($3,800,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 22 grants to individuals ($383,710), which are not listed by name. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Greater Washington Community Foundation?
Greater Washington Community Foundation reported $518.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $123.2M.
What does Greater Washington Community Foundation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to galvanize donors and doers around a vision grounded in economic justice, growing opportunity and securing prosperity for everyone in the region. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Washington Community Foundation?
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its open competitive grant rounds when available; it also issues invite-only opportunities. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Greater Washington Community Foundation's EIN?
Greater Washington Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7343119. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Greater Washington Community Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 16, 2024)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Greater Washington Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz
Washington, DC
The foundation funds arts and humanities, community services, education, environment, and health initiatives serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area, including DC and specified counties and cities in Maryland and Virginia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $1.2 million, with a median of $35,000; it prefers general operating support when possible. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online portal.
Assets
$636.1M
Grants
451
Total Given
$23.7M
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Inc
North Bethesda, MD
The Federation funds Jewish communal organizations and programs, including services for people in need, Jewish learning and engagement, youth and family programs, inclusion, community security, and work connecting the region with Israel and Jewish communities abroad. In 2025 it made 360 grants, with a median award of $20,000; grants ranged from $5,001 to $3.3 million, primarily supporting organizations in Greater Washington as well as national and international partners. It issues requests for proposals when opportunities are available; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$388.5M
Grants
360
Total Given
$34.1M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
More similar funders
More Funders in District of Columbia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Greater Washington Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/greater-washington-community-foundation-morg_72886d65aeb44e9a993234ae80c59548
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237343119_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Greater Washington Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/greater-washington-community-foundation-morg_72886d65aeb44e9a993234ae80c59548},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-07. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Greater Washington Community Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Greater Washington Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?