Community Resilience Initiative Bridge Grants

The Community Resilience Initiative Bridge Grants, offered by The Greater Washington Community Foundation, aim to support nonprofits facing significant operational challenges due to funding losses or transitions. With a focus on sustaining essential services in the Greater Washington region, the initiative encourages applications for targeted financial assistance to navigate these difficult times. Grants will be awarded based on organizational needs and potential impact, with amounts generally under $100,000 for funding loss and $50,000 for scenario planning.

Note: Due to the high volume of pending applications and funding requests applications must be completed by Friday, August 8 at 5pm.
Across the Greater Washington region, nonprofits are navigating significant challenges, from shifts in federal funding to increasing demand for services, while continuing to provide essential services to our communities. These organizations cannot afford to pause their work, and our communities cannot afford to lose these vital services.
In times of crisis, the Greater Washington Community Foundation serves as a community convener, advocate, and philanthropic first responder to ensure our region is prepared and equipped to effectively respond to challenges. Together we launched the Community Resilience Initiative to ensure the region’s critical nonprofit organizations can continue to meet urgent needs, advocate effectively, and sustain impact for the communities we all serve.
The Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Bridge Grants to provide targeted support to help nonprofit organizations maintain their critical work while navigating operational challenges.
We're accepting applications for Bridge Grants in two critical areas:

• Category 1: Funding Loss
• Supporting nonprofits that have experienced substantial funding losses since January 2025.
• Category 2: Scenario Planning & Transitions
• Providing resources for organizations to engage in scenario planning and explore strategic options such as a merger, winddown, or strategic alliance.
• Award
• Grant awards and amounts will be determined based upon organizational need, potential impact, and available funding.
• We anticipate that most grants awarded under Category 1 will be under $100,000 and most grants under Category 2 will be under $50,000.