Introduction to DCCA

The Dupont Circle Citizens Association (DCCA) was founded in 1922 in a row house at 1767 P Street NW to promote and protect the interests of residents.  DCCA brings neighbors, businesses, and non-profit organizations together to improve the quality of life in our active and diverse urban neighborhood. DCCA holds up to 9 monthly membership meetings each year, hosts forums and events to bring neighbors together, helps resolve neighborhood issues, donates to local causes and is an important source of trusted civic information.

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

Grants Program Statement of Purpose

The Dupont Circle Citizens Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, donates money for special projects and to non-profit organizations that further DCCA's mission and commitment to the Dupont Circle neighborhood. 

Grants are generally limited to $1,500 per grant. DCCA expects that most grants will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 or less, except for well-justified purposes. 

Grants Program Priority Categories

Priority categories for grants include the following areas:

 ·         Arts and Culture

·         Community Partnerships

          Homelessness and Food Insecurity

·         Education  

·         Historic Preservation

·         Parks and Environment

 Grants Program Guidelines

Each fall DCCA shall announce its Grants Program and application deadline through its newsletter.  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 for on-going needs during the year.  

 The guidelines for grant applications are as follows:

1. DCCA grants are limited to organizations working primarily within the Association ’s boundaries or partnering with DCCA.

2. Grants will be made only to other nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. or to individuals, such as artists, for special projects.  Grants will not be made to for-profit businesses or for religious or political purposes.

3. Recipients must demonstrate that the activities for which they seek a grant will support DCCA’s mission and promote and protect the interests of the residents of the Dupont Circle neighborhood.

4. 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.

5. Grants will not be given to advance the interests of any one individual, candidate for public office or any partisan political purpose.

6. All promotional materials of the recipient organization must include a sentence stating that the activity or project was funded “the support from the Dupont Circle Citizens Association.”

7. Grantee organizations will announce the grant from DCCA via their social media channels.

8. Recipients must provide a follow-up report to the DCCA Secretary 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 partisan political purpose 

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 specified 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 grants awarded 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