Funding search · special education · Washington DC
Who funds special education work in Washington DC
15 funders have a record of paying for special education work by Washington DC recipients: 43 grants totaling $7.1M, most recently in 2025 — mostly private foundations, plus grantmaking charities. The largest by matched giving are The Ayco Charitable Foundation ($576,000), Gates Foundation ($2.0M) and Allegra C Ford-Thomas Foundation ($51,500).
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.
The Ayco Charitable FoundationCohoes, NYCharity · may take applications
5 matching grants · $576,000 · through 2025Largest: $506,500 to HOWARD UNIVERSITY — special education funding
Largest: $1.0M to NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES INC — k-12 education; postsecondary education; public awareness and analysis
Largest: $19,500 to THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES — allegra ford-thomas scholarship fund
Largest: $400,000 to National Center for Learning Disabilities Inc — to lead and develop coalitions focused on policy and education.
Largest: $291,668 to NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES INC — for general operating support
Largest: $150,000 to NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES — see attached footnote
Largest: $10,500 to NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES — anne ford scholarship fund
Community Foundation of New JerseyMorristown, NJCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $109,100 · through 2024Largest: $70,000 to NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES — unrestricted grant to support organization's exempt purpose
Saint Coletta of Greater WashingtonWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $1.7M · through 2023Largest: $1.0M to ST COLETTA SPECIAL EDUCATION PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL INC — to support school operations
Largest: $10,000 to NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES — educational and charitable
Amalgamated Charitable FoundationWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $107,400 · through 2024Largest: $60,000 to National Center for Learning Disabilities Inc — general operating support
Seattle FoundationSeattle, WACharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $80,000 · through 2023Largest: $60,000 to NATIONAL CENTER FOR LEARNING DISABILITIES INC — to support the rapid response desk for educational equity
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Start with one paperBroader: special education funders nationally · all Washington DC-based grantmakers