Application for grant support from the Junior League of Washington now open as League undertakes several steps to support community during crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 1, 2020) – The Junior League of Washington today launched its Community Assistance Fund, which will provide $75,000 in grants to local organizations during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Awards will include a $50,000 grant to one organization providing essential support for food assistance and food security issues in the greater Washington, D.C., community and the remaining $25,000 will be divided up into grants of up to $5,000 for local organizations experiencing a need as a direct result of providing support due to COVID-19.

Organizations interested in applying for these grants do not need to have an existing relationship with the Junior League of Washington to apply, but must demonstrate an increased need for resources to serve vulnerable populations in the community during the pandemic.

These grants come at a critical time when COVID-19 has hit the District of Columbia particularly hard and has led to a sharp rise in financial insecurity for far too many families in the community.

“As we all face our own unique struggles with COVID-19, it is both a source of comfort and a tremendous point of pride to be able to provide this support to our community,” said Jessica Taylor White, president of the Junior League of Washington. “During times of crisis, the Junior League is proud to be in a position to answer the call, and provide support to our friends and neighbors through these grants and other means.”

The grant funding is a natural next step in support the Junior League of Washington has already undertaken since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. This spring, the League worked to create, collect, and facilitate the distribution of hundreds of masks to organizations supporting vulnerable members of the community.

In addition to support aimed at the community, the Junior League of Washington is also taking steps to provide additional avenues of support to its own members during this difficult time through in-person and virtual opportunities for enrichment, connection and support.

“Junior League members come from many different backgrounds, but certainly have one thing in common which is a deep-seeded desire to give back to their community,” said Carly Mitchell, immediate past president of the Junior League of Washington. “In developing our response to the COVID-19 crisis, we felt it was critical to not only provide grant support but also leverage the strengths of our members, and ensure we were working to meet their needs.”

Community organizations interested in applying for grant funding from the Junior League of Washington can visit www.jlw.org/community-assistance-fund starting today to learn more. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, with the first round of applications closing June 5.

For more information, please contact Katherine Rodriguez at communications@jlw.org.