Committed to building a stronger community for residents of the Washington, DC metropolitan area by supporting programs in the arts and humanities, community services, education, health and the environment.
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation’s recent grantmaking is marked by large awards to Washington, DC cultural institutions and neighborhood-serving nonprofits. In 2025, the foundation gave $1,200,000 to the Smithsonian Institution and $681,000 to Weta, while another major arts grant went to the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in both 2024 and 2025. Those gifts sit alongside substantial support for community services, education, health, and environmental work across the DC metropolitan area. The foundation’s pattern shows a broad local portfolio rather than a single-issue strategy. It funds public arts and cultural programming, basic-needs and social service providers, school-focused organizations, conservation groups, and health access efforts. Recent community services grants reached organizations such as Blair House Restoration Fund and Building Bridges Across the River, while environmental support included Rock Creek Conservancy Inc and Dreaming Out Loud Inc. Education grants went to groups including Education Forward DC and Washington Latin Public Charter School. Across these priorities, the foundation uses both unrestricted and project support, with some capital giving by invitation. Its recent grants show repeated support for a number of organizations over multiple years, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
Arts and humanities are a visible part of the foundation’s portfolio. It gave $825,000 to Shakespeare Theatre in 2024, $475,000 to John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2024 and again in 2025, and $225,000 to Olney Theatre Corporation in 2024. Those awards point to support for performing arts institutions across the DC region. Community services funding reaches organizations working on social support and local capacity. Recent grants include $500,000 to Blair House Restoration Fund, $450,000 to Building Bridges Across the River - Thearc, and $275,000 to Abraham and Laura Lisner Home for Aged Women. The foundation also backed Manna Inc and Washington Area Women’s Foundation Inc in the same area. In education, it supported Washington Latin Public Charter School and Trinity College, along with Education Forward DC and Horton's Kids. Environmental grants included Rock Creek Conservancy Inc and Dreaming Out Loud Inc, indicating attention to conservation, stewardship, and food access within the region.
$23.1M
$636.1M
$65.6M
$74.2M
Most grants fall between $25K and $53K, with a median of $35K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$35K
75th Percentile
$53K
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Typical grant size clusters around $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $35,000 at the median, and $52,500 at the 75th percentile. The foundation also makes larger awards, including multiple grants in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Its program structure includes general support, project support, operating support, and invitation-only capital support. Applications for some programs are submitted through an online grantee portal, while capital requests require a pre-proposal conversation and invitation. The recent record shows repeated awards to some recipients across 2024 and 2025, indicating ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts.
Giving is heavily concentrated in the District of Columbia, which accounts for 63% of grants. The DC metro area also extends into Maryland and Northern Virginia in the recent record. Washington, DC appears most often, with additional grants landing in Arlington, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Landover, and Olney. All recipient-country records are in the United States, with 883 grants total in the US.
It funds nonprofit organizations across arts and humanities, community services, education, environment, and health & wellness. Recent grants include large awards to cultural institutions, neighborhood service providers, school-related organizations, and environmental groups serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support for several recipients across 2024 and 2025, including John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Rock Creek Conservancy Inc, Manna Inc, Washington Area Women’s Foundation Inc, Building Bridges Across the River, Identity Inc, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Capital support is invitation-only. Organizations must discuss a capital request with a program officer, receive an invitation, and then apply. The capital programs cover facilities, renovation, major equipment, and capital campaigns in the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $35,000 at the median, and $52,500 at the 75th percentile. It also makes larger awards, including grants well above $200,000 in its recent record.
Its giving is regional, but most grants go to organizations in the District of Columbia. DC recipients account for 63% of grants, with additional awards going to nearby places such as Arlington, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Landover, and Olney.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,200,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| WETA | ARLINGTON, VA | $681,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| DREAMING OUT LOUD INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $560,000 | 2025 | ENVRIONMENT |
| BLAIR HOUSE RESTORATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $475,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | LANDOVER, MD | $332,500 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| ROCK CREEK CONSERVANCY INC | BETHESDAY, MD | $275,000 | 2025 | ENVRIONMENT |
| MANNA INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| WASHINGTON AREA WOMEN'S FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| EDUCATION FORWARD DC | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK | WASHINGTON, DC | $237,500 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $225,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS THE RIVER | WASHINGTON, DC | $225,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| SIGNATURE THEATRE INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $220,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| IDENTITY INC | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $200,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON DC | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| WASHINGTON LATIN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $182,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| CALVARY WOMEN'S SERVICES | WASHINGTON, DC | $170,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| LISC DC | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| MONTGOMERY HOUSING PARTNERSHIP | SILVER SPRING, MD | $150,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| CAPITAL AREA IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS COALITION | WASHINGTON, DC | $130,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PARTNERS INC | COLUMBIA, MD | $130,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| SEE FOREVERMAYA ANGELOU PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| EDLAVITCH JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF WASHINGTON DC | WASHINGTON, DC | $125,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| MARY HOUSE INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| SITAR ARTS CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| WENDT CENTER FOR LOSS AND HEALING | WASHINGTON, DC | $115,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| FAIR CHANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $115,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE ADULT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $112,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| THE WASHINGTON BALLET | WASHINGTON, DC | $110,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $110,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| RECOVERY CAFE DC | WASHINGTON, DC | $105,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| URBAN TEACHER CENTER INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ROCKETSHIP EDUCATION DC INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CENTER CITY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| DC PUBLIC EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WASHINGTON YU YING PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MAMATOTO VILLAGE INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | HEALTH |
| INSTITUTE FOR URBAN LIVING - HYACINTH'S PLACE | WASHINGTON, DC | $90,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| CASA INC | LANGLEY PARK, MD | $90,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| LATIN AMERICAN YOUTH CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $90,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| ROUND HOUSE THEATRE INC | BETHESDA, MD | $90,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| DC CHARTER SCHOOL ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $90,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| JOE'S MOVEMENT EMPORIUM | MOUNT RAINIER, MD | $90,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| WOOLLY MAMMOTH THEATRE COMPANY | WASHINGTON, DC | $85,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| WORDS BEATS AND LIFE | WASHINGTON, DC | $85,000 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $85,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| EASTERSEALS SERVING DC MD VA | SILVER SPRING, MD | $82,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
| PRINCE GEORGE'S CHILD RESOURCE CENTER INC | LARGO, MD | $82,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SERVICES |
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
$1,200,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
WETA
$681,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
DREAMING OUT LOUD INC
$560,000ENVRIONMENT
BLAIR HOUSE RESTORATION FUND
$500,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
$475,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
$332,500ARTS AND HUMANITIES
ROCK CREEK CONSERVANCY INC
$275,000ENVRIONMENT
MANNA INC
$250,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
WASHINGTON AREA WOMEN'S FOUNDATION
$250,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
EDUCATION FORWARD DC
$250,000EDUCATION
CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK
$237,500HEALTH
GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$225,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS THE RIVER
$225,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
SIGNATURE THEATRE INC
$220,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
IDENTITY INC
$200,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON DC
$200,000HEALTH
WASHINGTON LATIN PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
$200,000EDUCATION
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA INC
$182,500COMMUNITY SERVICES
CALVARY WOMEN'S SERVICES
$170,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
LISC DC
$150,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
MONTGOMERY HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
$150,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
CAPITAL AREA IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS COALITION
$130,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY PARTNERS INC
$130,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
SEE FOREVERMAYA ANGELOU PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
$125,000EDUCATION
EDLAVITCH JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF WASHINGTON DC
$125,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
MARY HOUSE INC
$120,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
SITAR ARTS CENTER
$120,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
WENDT CENTER FOR LOSS AND HEALING
$115,000HEALTH
FAIR CHANCE
$115,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
ACADEMY OF HOPE ADULT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
$112,500EDUCATION
THE WASHINGTON BALLET
$110,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$110,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
RECOVERY CAFE DC
$105,000HEALTH
URBAN TEACHER CENTER INC
$100,000EDUCATION
ROCKETSHIP EDUCATION DC INC
$100,000EDUCATION
CENTER CITY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
$100,000EDUCATION
DC PUBLIC EDUCATION FUND
$100,000EDUCATION
WASHINGTON YU YING PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
$100,000EDUCATION
MAMATOTO VILLAGE INC
$100,000HEALTH
INSTITUTE FOR URBAN LIVING - HYACINTH'S PLACE
$90,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
CASA INC
$90,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
LATIN AMERICAN YOUTH CENTER
$90,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
ROUND HOUSE THEATRE INC
$90,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
DC CHARTER SCHOOL ALLIANCE
$90,000EDUCATION
JOE'S MOVEMENT EMPORIUM
$90,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
WOOLLY MAMMOTH THEATRE COMPANY
$85,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
WORDS BEATS AND LIFE
$85,000ARTS AND HUMANITIES
GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL
$85,000COMMUNITY SERVICES
EASTERSEALS SERVING DC MD VA
$82,500COMMUNITY SERVICES
PRINCE GEORGE'S CHILD RESOURCE CENTER INC
$82,500COMMUNITY SERVICES
Current and upcoming funding from Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Intended for representatives (Executive Directors or development staff) of nonprofit organizations considering an application to the Foundation, especially those who have not received prior grants.
Deadline: Sessions held in February, June, and October (the month before each grant deadline). Specific session dates are posted on the Q&A page and require advance registration.
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