The Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser invites qualified District-based Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to apply for the 2026-2027 Cultural Humility Training Grant.
Donor Name: Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs
State: District of Columbia
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/24/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
This initiative seeks to strengthen professional service delivery by supporting training efforts that promote respectful, responsive, and affirming environments for all residents—particularly those who face barriers to safe and equitable care.
Funding Priorities
- Funding will support efforts to enhance cultural competency and create safe, affirming spaces for youth, particularly those experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC. The Executive Office of the Mayor aims to empower community-based organizations (CBOs) to conduct high-quality, evidence-based training sessions for staff and volunteers, and to implement organizational changes that better meet the needs of youth facing housing insecurity and systemic barriers to care.
- Funding is available for the following priority:
- Housing providers and DC shelters serving youth and young adults experiencing homelessness across Washington, DC.
Funding Information
Eligible organizations can be awarded up to $50,000 for two years. The total amount of funding for this grant is $165,000.
Grant Period
This is a two-year grant opportunity, with the project period running from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027.
Target Populations
- This opportunity is intended for CBOs with experience providing cultural competency training to service providers—including nonprofits, first responders, and shelter/housing staff—who work with vulnerable youth populations, including those experiencing homelessness.
- Priority will be given to applicants addressing the needs of youth and young adults navigating housing instability, safety risks, and structural barriers to care.
- The FY26 Cultural Humility Training Grant will provide funding to eligible organizations conducting high-quality, evidence-based trainings for staff at District homeless shelters, first responder agencies, and nonprofits.
- Training must be designed to:
- Improve services for homeless youth;
- Include suicide awareness and prevention strategies;
- Incorporate family acceptance interventions that are youth- and family-driven, culturally responsive, and tailored to diverse backgrounds;
- Integrate best practices for data collection;
- And be subject to biannual evaluations
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants shall meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for the FY26 Community Development Grant:
- The organization is a CBO with a Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and is licensed as a business with the District of Columbia’s Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP);
- The organization’s principal place of business must be located in the District of Columbia. If the business is a national or regional organization, it must have a location in the District through which it provides services;
- The organization must provide direct services to District residents or collaborate with an organization that provides services to District residents through the organizational efforts of the applicant;
- All services and programming funded by the grant must be provided within the District of Columbia;
- The organization must be currently registered and in good standing with DLCP and the Office of Tax and Revenue. Applicants must maintain their good standing status with the aforementioned entities throughout the pre-award process and the grant’s performance period;
For more information, visit Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs.
