Application deadline: Friday, November 13, 2026, at 12 noon. The District of Columbia Office of the Secretary of State issued an FY2027 financial-assistance Request for Applications titled Grant to Promote District of Columbia Voting Rights and Statehood. The application period opened October 13, 2026. The controlling nine-page RFA directs applicants to email submissions or deliver written applications to the Office of the Secretary by noon; the RFA does not specify a time zone. This notice describes a public civic-education grant opportunity without endorsing a policy position.
Funding: $200,000 is the total available competitive program pool across grants, not an individual applicant award maximum. The official RFA does not state a fixed individual maximum or range; applicants must request a supportable amount with a detailed line-item budget. The funder may negotiate final amounts. No standard mandatory applicant-match percentage is published. Funds are disbursed after award, subject to legal appropriations and grant agreement.
Two eligible proposal focus areas: (1) youth engagement in civics and voting rights, using youth-focused activities and accessible communications; and (2) public education about the District of Columbia’s voting rights, governmental representation, and statehood. Eligible outreach activities may include nationwide public-information campaigns, canvassing and measurement of awareness; however, the RFA explicitly prohibits using grant funds for direct or grassroots lobbying for or against legislation and discourages heavy paid-media advertising.
Applicant eligibility: Nonprofit and community-based organizations may apply, with or without IRS 501(c)(3) certification. They must hold a current District of Columbia business license and Clean Hands tax-compliance certificate, have experience in DC democracy or civic self-determination programs, demonstrate an independent financial track record rather than rely on a fiscal agent, and be current on reports for any previous comparable District grant. Incomplete applications or missing signed compliance certifications are disqualified.
Budget and project restrictions: No more than 25% of an award may support salaries. Applicants must specify project activities, staff and consultant resumes, budget, timelines, milestones, performance metrics and evaluation methods. Funds must be expended by September 30, 2027, with a final accounting/report by October 31, 2027. Proposals should not rely primarily on paid media. The District reserves the right to reject or negotiate proposals, issue amendments, or terminate the competition.
Application documents: Limit the proposal narrative to 2,500 words, and submit EIN, organizational contacts and website, current board roster, resumes of proposed staff, recent IRS Form 990, audited financial statements or the specified alternative certified financial package, eligibility documents, tax-compliance certificates and Executive Director or Board Chair Statement of Certification covering financial controls and legal compliance. Application files may use Word, PDF, Excel, Publisher or compatible formats; the RFA excludes supplemental audiovisual submissions.
Submit: Send the complete application to SecretaryofDC@dc.gov, or deliver by noon on November 13, 2026 to Office of the Secretary of State, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 419, Washington, DC 20004. The agency expects grant award announcements by December 11, 2026.
Controlling official RFA: FY2027 DC Democracy Grant Request for Applications (nine-page official PDF). Original issuer announcement: Office of the Secretary, October 9, 2026. Official program requirements verified October 26, 2026. This is competitive grant financial assistance to organizations, not an ordinary vendor procurement contract.