Events DC Awards $750,000 to Community Non-Profits Focused on District’s Youth

66 local non-profits received grant funding to enhance their programs focused on culture, sports and performing arts

Today, Events DC, the official convention and sports authority of Washington, DC, announced that 66 local non-profit organizations received $750,000 in community grants to support their youth sports, cultural and performing arts programs.

"Washington, DC is full of community organizations that are committed to support the development of the next generation of leaders through sports and the creative arts," said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. "With the Community Grants, the awardees will be able to do even more to accomplish our shared goal of ensuring Washington, DC continues to be a city where everyone can thrive. We are very proud of their programming and the lasting impact they are leaving on our youth."

Each fiscal year, the Events DC Community Grants Program provides grants to local non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting District youth through programming in the areas of sports, performing arts and cultural arts. Grants are awarded across two cycles for a total of $750,000 per fiscal year.

"We are driven by a vision where every child in the District-no matter their zip code-has access to the power of STEAM learning. With generous support from Events DC, we're expanding opportunities and building the networks that make that vision possible. Because preparing children to be future-ready is something we can only achieve together," expressed Meeta Sharma-Holt, Executive Director of The Fishing School and fiscal year 2025 community grantee.

"We are grateful and extremely appreciative of our partnership with Events DC, which has provided the National Capital Fencers Club (NCFC) with the opportunity to further and continue our mission with great success," said NCFC's Vice President, George King. "Without the support and partnership of the Community Grants Program and the St. Augustine Catholic School, we would not be able to introduce and promote the sport of fencing to an underserved community in Washington, DC."

On November 3, Events DC hosted a dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center to honor and recognize Fiscal Year 2025 grantees. The event highlighted youth programming and featured a special performance by the Chiquinha Gonzaga Youth Symphony Orchestra, an all-female orchestra from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The orchestra visited Washington, DC as part of a cultural exchange launched by Events DC with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

For the first cycle for fiscal year 2026, Events DC received 153 applications, which included 30 submissions from first-time applicants. The selected applicants will receive funding by Thanksgiving this year.

The second cycle for fiscal year 2026 opens in December 2025. Informational sessions will be hosted in January 2026. The application submission deadline is February 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

In 2025, Events DC launched SmartSimple, a new grant management software that makes it more accessible for non-profits to complete the application.

For more information on past grantees, eligibility and the upcoming grant cycle, please visit https://www.eventsdc.com/community/community-grants.