The Community Impact Fund 2023-2024 Grant Recipients

The Community Impact Fund, a philanthropic initiative for grassroots organizations in Ward 8 has selected the class of recipients for the 2023-2024 grant cycle. Under the leadership of Martha’s Table and the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the Community Impact Fund will support and strengthen Ward 8 nonprofit organizations historically excluded from institutional philanthropy, whose leadership and staff reflect the demographic composition and lived experiences of the communities they serve.

A review committee consisting of 32 Ward 8 residents carefully reviewed each application and made the difficult decision of selecting 14 outstanding organizations for the 2023-2024 grant cycle.

“Martha’s Table looks forward to this next phase of impact, investing directly into the community in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation. Congratulations to the incoming class of Community Impact Fund grantees who are committed to advancing equity and opportunity for everyone in Ward 8.”

– Tiffany Williams, President and CEO, Martha’s Table 

Organizations will use the grant funding to support a wide range of mission-focused activities, from supporting specific, targeted initiatives to unrestricted use for capacity-building. For this grant cycle, fourteen unrestricted, general operating grants with a maximum of $15,000 were awarded to the following organizations:

A Beautiful Balance Inclusive, Inc

Anacostia AMP Empowerment Center

Best Kids Inc

College Tribe

FAN (Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso)

Fresh Start Project

It Takes A Village DC

Project Create

Recovery Cafe DC

Soul Trak Outdoors

The Bookshelf Project Inc

TraRon Center

William Lockridge Scholarship Fund

Women Involved In Reentry Efforts

“The Greater Washington Community Foundation has been absolutely thrilled to partner with Martha’s Table on this new grantmaking initiative that centers community members’ voice in the grantmaking process. We applaud Martha’s Table’s catalytic investments in Ward 8 and look forward to supporting many more investments targeting neighborhoods in need in our region.”

-Tonia Wellons, President and CEO, Greater Washington Community Foundation

• What is the Martha’s Table Community Impact Fund?

  The Martha’s Table Community Impact Fund is a grant program to support and strengthen Ward 8 nonprofits. This direct investment will help build capacity for organizations historically excluded from institutional philanthropy and whose leadership and staff reflect the demographic composition and lived experiences of the communities they serve.

• How many grants are available and what are the grant amounts?

  For the 2023-2024 grant cycle, there will be up to 14 unrestricted, general operating grants awarded. Each grant will be a maximum of $15,000.

• What can the grant funding be used for?

  Grant funding can be used to support a wide-range of mission-focused activities from supporting specific, targeted initiatives to unrestricted use for capacity-building with a particular interest in projects that:

  • Pilot new and innovative solutions to community challenges
  • Build or enhance organizational infrastructure (example: business and fiscal management)
  • Improve or expand program operations and outcomes (example: increase program enrollment)
• What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a grant?

  To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit and
  • Be based in, or primarily serve, Ward 8 as defined by the 2022 Ward boundaries map for at least one year.

  If you do not meet the eligibility criteria at this time, please be advised that Martha’s Table is planning other training and technical assistance programs that your organization may qualify for. Please contact communitysupports@marthastable.org for more information.

• Who were the previous grant recipients?
  • Anacostia AMP Outreach
  • Bright Beginnings
  • Family & Friends of Incarcerated People
  • Healthy Babies Project
  • Horton’s Kids
  • Inner Thoughts, Inc.
  • Project Create
  • Safe Sisters Circle
  • Victory Youth Center
  • William Lockridge Educational and Scholarship Fund
• I have a general question about the funding opportunity or application requirements. Who do I contact?

  For questions regarding the Community Impact Fund grants, application requirements, or Review Committee, please contact communitysupports@marthastable.org.