Funding search · democracy and civic engagement · Washington DC
Who funds democracy and civic engagement work in Washington DC
15 funders have a record of paying for democracy and civic engagement work by Washington DC recipients: 313 grants totaling $221.4M, most recently in 2024 — mostly private foundations, plus grantmaking charities. The largest by matched giving are California Community Foundation ($22.3M), The Ford Foundation ($13.8M) and Open Society Action Fund ($59.2M).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Washington DC recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
California Community FoundationLos Angeles, CACharity · may take applications
91 matching grants · $22.3M · through 2024Largest: $5.1M to AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT INC — civic engagement
Largest: $815,000 to NEW VENTURE FUND — core support for aapi civic engagement fund and project support for institutional strengthening for aapi civic engagement fund
Open Society Action FundNew York, NYCharity · may take applications
28 matching grants · $59.2M · through 2024Largest: $18.1M to OUR AMERICAN FUTURE ACTION — to support non-partisan policy advocacy and civic engagement
Largest: $1.7M to GREENPEACE FUND INC — strengthening civic engagement, encouraging a just transition away from fossil fuels
Largest: $1.0M to AAPI CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FUND — advancing civic engagement
Largest: $10.0M to VOTER PARTICIPATION CENTER — democracy & civic engagement - general operations 09/01/2023-09/30/2025
Fund for a Better FutureSacramento, CACharity · may take applications
16 matching grants · $6.6M · through 2024Largest: $1.5M to SIXTEEN THIRTY FUND — civil rights and civic engagement
Largest: $1.4M to NEW VENTURE FUND — civic engagement & protecting democracy support
Largest: $500,000 to WINDWARD FUND — civic engagement
Largest: $25,000 to COMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND — civic engagement
Largest: $100,000 to Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement — to support the civic language perceptions project and convene conversations in philanthropy around the role of social-cohesion
Largest: $6.5M to COMMUNITY CHANGE — 2024 civic engagement rapid response
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Start with one paperBroader: democracy and civic engagement funders nationally · all Washington DC-based grantmakers