John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation Grants

The John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation provides grants to organizations in the Washington DC area, focusing on underserved and at-risk populations. Grants typically do not exceed $10,000 for first-time applicants, with a preference for grassroots, direct service organizations. The Foundation emphasizes sound management and fiscal responsibility, and it avoids funding national organizations and medical research. It supports initiatives in areas such as adult literacy, childhood education, and homelessness, celebrating innovative approaches to community needs.

Background
The John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation was created in 1964 by Pearl Gunn Fowler in memory of her late husband, John Edward Fowler, a Northern Virginia businessman. In recent years, the Foundation awarded about $3 million in annual grants to organizations in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Typically, first-time grants receive less than $10,000, depending on the nature and size of the applicant. Larger grant requests are commonly approved where there is a need, on-going relationship, or capital purpose grants (which are awarded only to prior grantees).
Smaller, grassroots, neighborhood-based organizations that derive at least 50% of their revenue from private sources tend to be more successful applicants. Hands-on, direct service organizations are given preference over “umbrella” agencies. The Foundation looks for evidence of sound management, fiscal responsibility, and volunteer involvement. The Foundation is delighted to receive information about grantees’ activities and programs.
Above all, Fowler is interested in working with grantees who have identified an actual need and are focused on serving that need. Fowler celebrates creative innovation and unique approaches as well as traditional forms of need-based giving.
The Fowler Foundation has historically focused giving toward empowering underserved and at-risk people; but past giving is not indicative of future potential grantees.
The Fowler Foundation has the following focus areas:

• Adult literacyAt risk childrenChildhood educationHomelessnessHungerJob training & placementMedical and Legal Services

Eligibility

The Foundation awards grants to organizations headquartered in and providing services for residents of Washington, DC, and its abutting Maryland & Virginia suburbs

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not award grants to national organizations, even if they serve the preferred communities. The Foundation prefers not to award grants to:individuals,national health organizations,government agencies, orpublic school/charters.It does not fund medical research or the arts, except for intensive arts-in-education programs that directly benefit at-risk children and youth.It does not sponsor events.Grantees may not apply for a new grant until at least 18 months after receipt of an award, and not until a final report has been submitted.