Improving Lives Grant 2025

The Call  

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB or Bank) is looking to identify ten (10) initiatives that address the challenges and needs of Latin American and Caribbean communities in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area (*)

Each selected nonprofit organization will receive a grant of up to USD $25,000 (twenty-five thousand dollars), subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Improving Lives Grant Guidelines.

This year, the grant will focus on supporting the following areas: Capacity Building and Education, Culture and the Arts, and Food and Health.

* the Washington Metropolitan Area area includes: (i) the District of Columbia; (ii) the following Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George’s; and (iii) the following Virginia counties: Arlington, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William.

The Schedule 

• The deadline for submitting applications is October 17 , 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• For inquiries, please contact IDB Community Relations Program at [email protected]. Questions must be submitted no later than September 29, at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Selected proposals will be announced by December 2025
• The implementation period is scheduled from January 2026 to December 2026, inclusive
   

Requirements for Eligibility

Participating organizations must:

• be classified as nonprofits with tax-exempt status under Sections 501(c) or 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; 
• be registered and operating in the Washington Metropolitan Area; and
• be legally established for at least three (3) years. 

2024 Winners  

• DC Scores - Creates neighborhood teams that equip kids with the confidence and skills to succeed on the playing field, in the classroom, and in life. Project: Ciudad Unidad.
• My Sisters Place, Inc. - Shelters, supports, and empowers survivors of domestic violence and their children, while providing leadership and education to build a safer, more supportive community. Project: Housing and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence in DC.
• DC Central Kitchen, Inc. - Uses food as a powerful tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build thriving communities. Project: Food Aid for Latin-American Families.
• Gala Inc. (Grupo de Artistas Latino Americanos) - Promotes and shares Latino arts and cultures with diverse audiences, creating work that reflects today’s communities while preserving rich Hispanic heritage for future generations. Project: Paso Nuevo Youth Program.
• Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School - For over 50 years, has provided high-quality education to the District of Columbia’s diverse immigrant population through English as a Second Language, workforce development, and comprehensive support services. Project: Increasing Digital Literacy for Adult English Language Learners.
• TZEDEK DC - Inspired by the Jewish teaching 'Justice, justice you shall pursue,' its mission is to protect the legal rights and financial stability of low-income DC residents facing abusive debt collection practices and related consumer challenges. Project: ¡Sin Deudas, Sin Dudas!.
• Nueva Vida, Inc. - Informs, supports, and empowers Latino families affected by cancer, while advocating for and facilitating timely access to high-quality cancer care. Project: Más Fuertes Juntos (Stronger Together): A Mental Health Initiative for Uninsured Latinos.
• The Latino Student Fund  - Provides underserved PreK–12 students and their families with opportunities to build strong academic foundations, fostering pathways to higher education and professional leadership. Project: Te Guio - Reducing Gang Involvement and Improving Adolescent Mental Health.
• Imagination Stage - Offers theater, art classes, and school residencies that bridge cultural divides and amplify underrepresented voices. Project: Oyeme Teen Tour.
• Multicultural Career Intern Program (MCIP) - Empowers communities through sustainable projects, education, and advocacy, fostering meaningful change for a brighter future. Project: Mentoring CHEC.

Organizers

The IDB Community Relations Program supports Latin American and Caribbean communities in the greater Washington, DC area through the Improving Lives grant, coordinated volunteer initiatives, and in-kind donations.

For more information, please contact [email protected]