American Democracy BFF Grantees

The foundation seeks to advance and promote public understanding and appreciation for the United States of America and for animating the principles and values of American democracy. To encourage understanding of the unique nature of the American democracy, possible philanthropic engagement can include: gifts to museums; educational programs; awards and scholarships to institutions and schools that have made significant contributions in American history, political science, or cultural diplomacy; and underwriting the cost of convening thought leaders who shape policy. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

For more information about the foundation’s grant-making process, visit Grant Guidelines.

2020 American Democracy Grantees

Meridian International Center is a premier nonprofit, global leadership organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Building on more than 55 years of experience, Meridian prepares U.S. and international leaders to meet global challenges and opportunities. Meridian’s programs delivers the approach and environment for leaders to understand global issues and cultures, exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and build valuable relationships.

The National Mall is one of the most iconic and meaningful places in the world and a reminder of America’s complex and storied history. The Trust for the National Mall stewards private support to design and deliver modern and resilient solutions that will transform the visitor experience and preserve the historic legacy of the National Mall.

A vibrant democracy requires an engaged electorate at every level. Yet, low voter participation rates have become a persistent feature of elections up and down the ballot, and in 2016, voter turnout dropped to a 20 year low. Participation rates are even lower in local elections than in state and national elections and are continuing a decades-long trend of decline. Young people, communities of color, and low-income citizens are consistently underrepresented among the electorate.

Co-Chaired by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote (WWAV) is a 501(c)(3), nonpartisan, non-profit on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap, specifically targeting young people and historically underrepresented voters. WWAV works across all 50 states and DC while making additional focused investments in cities where there are high concentrations of historically underrepresented voters.

Democracy Works provides the infrastructure for a 21st-century democracy. We accomplish this through three main strategies: TurboVote directly helps millions of voters participate in elections, our Voting Information Project turns the internet into an amplifier for information about where and how to vote, and our services and technology help states modernize. Our network of major tech platforms, corporations, nonprofits, universities, and election officials in all 50 states gives us the power to reach every voter in the US.

Officially opened in October 2005, The Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) is a $27 million, 110,000 square-foot campus located east of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC’s Ward 8. THEARC was built and is operated by Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR) a nonprofit 501-c-3 organization. Funding for building THEARC ($27 million) came entirely from charitable contributions by the Federal and District government, corporations, foundations and individuals. THEARC is a key part of a revitalization of the area known as East of the (Anacostia) River in Washington, DC.

THEARC is a home away from home for the many underserved children and adults of East of the River, enabling them to participate in dance classes, music instruction, fine arts, academics, continuing education, mentoring, tutoring, recreation, medical and dental care, and other services at a substantially reduced cost or no cost at all.

2019 American Democracy Grantees

Meridian International Center is a premier nonprofit, global leadership organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Building on more than 55 years of experience, Meridian prepares U.S. and international leaders to meet global challenges and opportunities. Meridian’s programs delivers the approach and environment for leaders to understand global issues and cultures, exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and build valuable relationships.

The National Constitution Center is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.” The Constitution Center brings the United States Constitution to life by hosting interactive exhibits and constitutional conversations and inspires active citizenship by celebrating the American constitutional tradition.
The National Mall is one of the most iconic and meaningful places in the world and a reminder of America’s complex and storied history. The Trust for the National Mall stewards private support to design and deliver modern and resilient solutions that will transform the visitor experience and preserve the historic legacy of the National Mall.

Welcoming America’s goal is to help communities across the USA and the Washington DC region take a proactive approach to incorporate their growing immigrant populations. Our Member Network of over 200 local government and nonprofit partners have worked with business, faith, and community partners to help more immigrant families learn English, access employment opportunities, become citizens, open and grow businesses, and feel at home in their adopted hometowns. We work to make communities across the country places of shared prosperity and where everyone is valued, with inclusion for all.

2018 American Democracy Grantees

For over 37 years, Martha’s Table has worked to support stronger children, stronger families, and stronger communities by increasing access to quality education programs, healthy food, and family supports. Every child deserves the opportunity for their brightest future, and a deeply engaged family and community committed to their success.

Meridian International Center is a premier nonprofit, global leadership organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Building on more than 55 years of experience, Meridian prepares U.S. and international leaders to meet global challenges and opportunities. Meridian’s programs delivers the approach and environment for leaders to understand global issues and cultures, exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and build valuable relationships.

The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy.

As the National Archives’ nonprofit partner, the Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world.

The National Constitution Center is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.” The Constitution Center brings the United States Constitution to life by hosting interactive exhibits and constitutional conversations and inspires active citizenship by celebrating the American constitutional tradition.
The National Mall is one of the most iconic and meaningful places in the world and a reminder of America’s complex and storied history. The Trust for the National Mall stewards private support to design and deliver modern and resilient solutions that will transform the visitor experience and preserve the historic legacy of the National Mall.

2017 American Democracy Grantees

icivics
iCivics exists to engage students in meaningful civic learning. We provide civics teachers well-written, inventive, and free resources that enhance their practice and inspire their classrooms. Our mission is to ensure every student receives a high-quality civic education, and becomes engaged in – and beyond – the classroom.

For over 37 years, Martha’s Table has worked to support stronger children, stronger families, and stronger communities by increasing access to quality education programs, healthy food, and family supports. Every child deserves the opportunity for their brightest future, and a deeply engaged family and community committed to their success.

Meridian International Center is a premier nonprofit, global leadership organization headquartered in Washington, DC. Building on more than 55 years of experience, Meridian prepares U.S. and international leaders to meet global challenges and opportunities. Meridian’s programs delivers the approach and environment for leaders to understand global issues and cultures, exchange ideas, collaborate on solutions, and build valuable relationships.

The National Constitution Center is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.” The Constitution Center brings the United States Constitution to life by hosting interactive exhibits and constitutional conversations and inspires active citizenship by celebrating the American constitutional tradition.
Venture Philanthropy Partners
Venture Philanthropy Partners is a philanthropic organization based in the DC metro area that was founded in 2000 to invest in high-performing nonprofits in Greater Washington, D.C. Since then, it has made over $50 million in direct investments in nonprofits serving children and youth. VPP provides technical support along with its grants. It makes investments in three areas: Early Childhood, Education, and Youth Transitions. Since its inception, VPP has invested in organizations that have offered service to some 40,000 children and youth around the National Capital Region.
WAMU American University Radio logo
WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington D.C. area. WAMU is member-supported, professionally-staffed, and licensed to American University. Since 1961, WAMU 88.5 has provided programming to an audience of listeners that now totals almost 1 million listeners on-air, online, and on demand.

2016 American Democracy Grantees

icivics
iCivics exists to engage students in meaningful civic learning. We provide civics teachers well-written, inventive, and free resources that enhance their practice and inspire their classrooms. Our mission is to ensure every student receives a high-quality civic education, and becomes engaged in – and beyond – the classroom.
Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project logo
The Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project is a nationally recognized law related education program that promotes democratic engagement, constitutional literacy, and legal advocacy by placing talented upper lever law students in high schools to teach yearlong courses in constitutional law and oral advocacy.

The Project supports law students in developing foundational lawyering and professionalism skills by giving them the tools they need to address the well-documented constitutional illiteracy and civic disengagement of America’s high school students. Fellows use inquiry-based educational methods to support their high school students in developing 21st Century skillsets if creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.

For over 37 years, Martha’s Table has worked to support stronger children, stronger families, and stronger communities by increasing access to quality education programs, healthy food, and family supports. Every child deserves the opportunity for their brightest future, and a deeply engaged family and community committed to their success.

The National Constitution Center is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.” The Constitution Center brings the United States Constitution to life by hosting interactive exhibits and constitutional conversations and inspires active citizenship by celebrating the American constitutional tradition.
Sasha Bruce Youthwork logo
The mission of Sasha Bruce Youthwork is to improve the lives of runaway, homeless, abused, and neglected at-risk youth and their families in the Washington area. We achieve this by providing shelter, counseling, life skills training and positive youth development activities to approximately 1,500 youth and 5,000 family members each year.

Serving a community where systems are broken, and young people and their families are struggling to overcome obstacles, SBY uses proven youth development practices to help youth find new ways of surviving, thriving, and realizing success. Now with over 40 years of experience meeting the needs of DC’s youth and families, with innovative programming and dedicated staff, Sasha Bruce Youthwork is always willing to listen, and always ready to help.

The National Mall is one of the most iconic and meaningful places in the world and a reminder of America’s complex and storied history. The Trust for the National Mall stewards private support to design and deliver modern and resilient solutions that will transform the visitor experience and preserve the historic legacy of the National Mall.
The Urban Alliance logo
Urban Alliance is a youth development organization that provides young people with the professional skills training and work experience needed to succeed in tomorrow’s labor market. By providing Urban Alliance youth with early, meaningful work, our DC business partners are helping to strengthen the school-to-work pipeline and prepare the next generation of leaders.

For the past 20 years, Urban Alliance has partnered with businesses throughout the District to connect more than 2,000 high school students to paid, professional internships, and provided career-readiness training to an additional 14,000 students through community workshops. Currently, the DC program works with over 90 businesses to serve students from 20 high schools throughout the city.

2015 American Democracy Grantees

icivics
iCivics exists to engage students in meaningful civic learning. We provide civics teachers well-written, inventive, and free resources that enhance their practice and inspire their classrooms. Our mission is to ensure every student receives a high-quality civic education, and becomes engaged in – and beyond – the classroom.
Inner City Inner Child logo
For over two decades, Inner City-Inner Child, the arts education/literacy program of the historic Dumbarton Concerts, has provided quality arts integration and early childhood development programs to low-income, community-based early childhood centers throughout Washington, D.C. Dumbarton Concerts began community outreach in 1987 with a program called Live Music Now!, an initiative to bring music out of the concert hall and into isolated neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. Through this work, we discovered that young children had the greatest unmet needs in our community. In response, Inner City-Inner Child was created in 1994 to reach the District’s neediest children. ICIC programs work to create an environment that supports school readiness for the neediest preschool children in our Nation’s Capital by introducing teachers and children to the power of integrating the arts with academics. By helping centers become accredited, and stay accredited by the National Association for the Accreditation Education of Young Children (NAEYC), ICIC improves the quality of early childhood education in DC.
The Kojo Nnamdi Show logo
The Kojo Nnamdi Show airs Monday through Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. (ET) on WAMU 88.5, the NPR member-station in Washington, D.C. The live magazine program highlights news, political issues and social trends of the day and includes listener’s calls, emails and tweets.

A longtime D.C. resident, Kojo Nnamdi is a native of Guyana who brings a global perspective and vast knowledge of the region to front page headlines and explores emerging stories before they are news. “Maybe the best interviewer in town,” according to The Washington Post, Kojo has an inviting on-air style that encourages guests and callers to discover new points of view, embrace controversy and spark new ideas. Everyone has a chance to be part of the conversation, and listeners are invited to participate in the show.

Marshall Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project logo
The Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project is a nationally recognized law related education program that promotes democratic engagement, constitutional literacy, and legal advocacy by placing talented upper lever law students in high schools to teach yearlong courses in constitutional law and oral advocacy.

The Project supports law students in developing foundational lawyering and professionalism skills by giving them the tools they need to address the well-documented constitutional illiteracy and civic disengagement of America’s high school students. Fellows use inquiry-based educational methods to support their high school students in developing 21st Century skillsets if creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.

For over 37 years, Martha’s Table has worked to support stronger children, stronger families, and stronger communities by increasing access to quality education programs, healthy food, and family supports. Every child deserves the opportunity for their brightest future, and a deeply engaged family and community committed to their success.

Sasha Bruce Youthwork logo
The mission of Sasha Bruce Youthwork is to improve the lives of runaway, homeless, abused, and neglected at-risk youth and their families in the Washington area. We achieve this by providing shelter, counseling, life skills training and positive youth development activities to approximately 1,500 youth and 5,000 family members each year.

Serving a community where systems are broken, and young people and their families are struggling to overcome obstacles, SBY uses proven youth development practices to help youth find new ways of surviving, thriving, and realizing success. Now with over 40 years of experience meeting the needs of DC’s youth and families, with innovative programming and dedicated staff, Sasha Bruce Youthwork is always willing to listen, and always ready to help.

The National Mall is one of the most iconic and meaningful places in the world and a reminder of America’s complex and storied history. The Trust for the National Mall stewards private support to design and deliver modern and resilient solutions that will transform the visitor experience and preserve the historic legacy of the National Mall.
The Urban Alliance logo
Urban Alliance is a youth development organization that provides young people with the professional skills training and work experience needed to succeed in tomorrow’s labor market. By providing Urban Alliance youth with early, meaningful work, our DC business partners are helping to strengthen the school-to-work pipeline and prepare the next generation of leaders.

For the past 20 years, Urban Alliance has partnered with businesses throughout the District to connect more than 2,000 high school students to paid, professional internships, and provided career-readiness training to an additional 14,000 students through community workshops. Currently, the DC program works with over 90 businesses to serve students from 20 high schools throughout the city.

WAMU American University Radio logo
WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington D.C. area. WAMU is member-supported, professionally-staffed, and licensed to American University. Since 1961, WAMU 88.5 has provided programming to an audience of listeners that now totals almost 1 million listeners on-air, online, and on demand.