The District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) is accepting applications for the FY2027 Diaper Bank Grant Program under RFA #DHCF-Diaper-2027. One competitive grant of up to $500,000 will fund purchasing and distributing free diapers to eligible District parents and legal guardians of children age three or younger. This is applicant-facing financial assistance, not a product-supply procurement. Total available funding is up to $500,000, equal to the single-award ceiling.
Eligible lead applicants must be nonprofit organizations incorporated in the District or another jurisdiction, with an established record of operating a diaper bank or diaper distribution program and a governing-board-approved operating budget that includes diaper purchases. They must be in good standing with DC licensing, tax, employment and IRS requirements, have a Clean Hands certification, and not be suspended or debarred. Qualified subgrantees are allowed with a documented subgrant plan and signed commitments. The project supports eligible District families receiving specified public benefits or experiencing shelter or supportive housing situations.
The award period runs from the date of award through September 30, 2027. Up to two additional option years may be considered subject to funding. The RFA does not state a mandatory matching percentage; its budget instructions require disclosure of any match offered. Spending must follow the approved work plan and budget. Restricted costs include duplicating readily available government services, unrelated advertising or market research, and pre-approval or unreasonable expenditures. A paragraph introducing the restrictions incorrectly names a Produce Prescription program; applicants should rely on the Diaper Bank-specific award description and seek DHCF clarification if a cost category is uncertain.
Applications are due Monday, November 23, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, submitted as a PDF by email to alisa.bannerjee@dc.gov. The RFA asks for a program narrative, fiscal management and reporting plans, organization and partner qualifications, itemized budget and justification, signed certifications, staff materials, business license, current W-9, organizational work plan, and relevant subgrant documentation. The optional pre-application conference is November 2 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern; written questions are due November 6 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
Official controlling 20-page RFA: https://communityaffairs.dc.gov/sites/moca/files/dc/sites/moca/page_content/attachments/Diaper_Bank_FY27_RFA.pdf. Official NOFA: https://communityaffairs.dc.gov/sites/moca/files/dc/sites/moca/publication/attachments/Diaper%20Bank%20FY27%20NOFA.pdf. Official DC grants clearinghouse: https://communityaffairs.dc.gov/node/26. Research verified October 29, 2026.