DCCA Policy on Community Grants

Founded in 1922 in a townhouse at 1767 P Street, to promote and protect the interests of the residents, the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) is the premier civic and residential organization in the Dupont Circle area. DCCA brings neighbors, including residents, businesses and non-profit organizations, together to improve the quality of life in an active and diverse urban neighborhood. It holds 9 monthly membership meetings each year, hosts events to bring neighbors together, resolves neighborhood issues and donates to local causes.

DCCA is proud of its 103 year history of connecting neighbors and celebrating the vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood we all call home.

Statement of Purpose

The Dupont Circle Citizens Association donates money to projects and non-profit organizations that further DCCA's mission and commitment to the Dupont Circle neighborhood.

The Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1922 to promote and protect the interests of the residents of the Dupont Circle neighborhood. DCCA donates money to projects and non-profit organizations that further DCCA's mission. DCCA anticipates having $4,000 to $6,000 available for grants in 2025. Grants will normally be limited to $1,500 per grant and  DCCA expects that most applications will request $1,000 or less, except for well-justified purposes. 

Priority Categories

Priority categories for grants include the following areas:

  • Arts and Culture
  • Helping to Feed the Hungry and Food Insecure in Our Neighborhood
  • Helping to Provide Clothing and Supplies for Homeless Families with Children in Our Neighborhood
  • Support for Schools and Education of Young Children 
  • Historic Preservation
  • Parks and Environment

Guidelines

 Each fall DCCA shall announce its Grants Program through its newsletter. The deadline for applying  will be in the announcement. For 2025 Grantees will be announced in late November and the awards will be made in December.


Organizations may submit grant applications for one-time events or needs throughout the year.  


DCCA will generally follow these guidelines with respect to its grants:


  • DCCA grants are limited to organizations working primarily within the Association’s boundaries or partnering with DCCA.
  • Grants will be made only to other nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Grants will not be made to individuals or for-profit businesses, or for religious or political purposes.
  • Recipients must demonstrate that the activities for which they seek a grant promote and protect the interests of the residents of the Dupont Circle neighborhood.
  • No benefit or profit may inure to any DCCA Board member, DCCA employee or contractor or to any person involved in the evaluation of grant applications or the awarding of DCCA's grants.
  • Grants will not be given to advance the interests of any one individual, candidate for public office or any political cause that is a pending ballot issue.
  • All promotional materials of the recipient organization must include a sentence stating that the activity or project was funded “with support from the Dupont Circle Citizens Association.”
  • Grantee organizations will announce the grant via their social media channels.
  • Recipients will provide a follow-up report to the DCCA outlining how funds were spent, the results of the project, and confirming that the grant was not used to advance a personal agenda or any political candidates or causes.

Grant Proposals

Interested organizations may submit requests for grants by completing the DCCA Grant Proposal Form, which

requests the information listed below. 

  1. Name of the applicant organization;
  2. Primary contact name and contact information;
  3. Date and location of proposed project or activities;
  4. Description of project or activities;
  5. Description of how the grant will benefit the residents of the Dupont Circle neighborhood;
  6. Description of how DCCA support will be publicized, and how the project or activities will be promoted (if applicable);
  7. A proposed budget;
  8. A list of other funding sources for the project or activities, if applicable; and
  9. A list of the proposing organization's current board of directors, mission statement and bylaws, and a copy of the 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS.

Accountability by Recipient

If the funds are not used within the time frame envisioned in the proposal or a reasonable approximation thereof, or are used for purposes other than those specified in the grant recipient’s Grant Proposal Form, the recipient must reimburse DCCA for the funds.


Accountability by DCCA

DCCA will give an account of its grant giving activities as part of the Treasurer's report to membership at its annual meeting. The account of charitable activities will be published on DCCA’s web site, and may also be publicized in other DCCA announcements and publications.


Founded in 1922 in a townhouse at 1767 P Street, to promote and protect the interests of the residents, the Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) is the premier civic and residential organization in the Dupont Circle area.  DCCA brings neighbors, including residents, businesses and non-profit organizations, together to improve the quality of life in an active and diverse urban neighborhood. It holds membership meetings nine times each year, which are open to the public, organizes the Dupont Circle House Tour, resolves neighborhood issues through its committees, donates to local causes, and incubates innovative projects.

Dupont Circle Citizens Association | 9 Dupont Circle, NW | Washington, DC 20036
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