Washington, D.C. · Grantmakers

Foundations That Fund Social Science in Washington, D.C.

Imperigo has identified 505 funders that made 2,324 grants totaling $785.8M to 72 social science organizations in Washington, D.C., with a median grant of $55K. Every figure below is drawn from IRS Form 990 filings through 2025.

Social Science Funding in Washington, D.C.

Total granted $785.8M
Funders 505
Grants 2,324
Organizations funded 72

Top Funders — page 1 of 4

1. The Pew Charitable Trusts
43 grants to 8 organizations · largest $39.0M · through 2024 · 28.5% of their giving
$242.4M
2. American Chemistry Council
5 grants to 1 organization · largest $2.9M · through 2024 · 73.0% of their giving
$8.1M
3. Sandler Foundation
6 grants to 1 organization · largest $3.0M · through 2024 · 3.2% of their giving
$13.5M
4. Ascendium Education Solutions Inc
12 grants to 3 organizations · largest $2.5M · through 2024 · 2.5% of their giving
$15.4M
5. Foundation for the Carolinas
12 grants to 4 organizations · largest $8.0M · through 2024 · 1.2% of their giving
$24.3M
6. Justice Information Resource Network Inc
3 grants to 1 organization · largest $666K · through 2024 · 36.7% of their giving
$1.3M
7. Cicp Foundation Inc
9 grants to 2 organizations · largest $710K · through 2024 · 8.7% of their giving
$3.0M
8. Greater Washington Community Foundation
26 grants to 8 organizations · largest $1.6M · through 2024 · 1.9% of their giving
$11.5M
9. Center for the Study of Democratic Institution
6 grants to 1 organization · largest $300K · through 2024 · 10.8% of their giving
$1.4M
10. Tides Foundation
31 grants to 12 organizations · largest $3.4M · through 2024
$15.1M
11. Blue Grass Community Foundation Inc
2 grants to 1 organization · largest $2.7M · through 2023 · 2.9% of their giving
$3.0M
12. Iranian American Bar Association Foundation
1 grant to 1 organization · largest $386K · through 2024 · 100.0% of their giving
$386K
13. The Forum for Youth Investment
2 grants to 1 organization · largest $275K · through 2020 · 23.8% of their giving
$350K
14. Living Cities Inc the National Community Development Initiative
3 grants to 2 organizations · largest $625K · through 2024 · 5.8% of their giving
$1.2M
15. Council of American Overseas Research Centers
5 grants to 1 organization · largest $295K · through 2023 · 5.8% of their giving
$1.1M
16. Fathom Ai Inc
1 grant to 1 organization · largest $300K · through 2024 · 19.3% of their giving
$300K
17. Rodel Charitable Foundation - De
3 grants to 1 organization · largest $200K · through 2021 · 9.6% of their giving
$600K
18. Coalition for a Prosperous America Inc
1 grant to 1 organization · largest $265K · through 2024 · 62.4% of their giving
$265K
19. American Psychological Association Inc Group Return
4 grants to 2 organizations · largest $148K · through 2024 · 18.1% of their giving
$293K
20. Burton Family Foundation C/O Arizona Community Foundation
2 grants to 1 organization · largest $925K · through 2024 · 3.5% of their giving
$1.3M
21. Avaaz Foundation
1 grant to 1 organization · largest $650K · through 2022 · 7.0% of their giving
$650K
22. Esperanza Charitable Fund
5 grants to 1 organization · largest $150K · through 2024 · 7.4% of their giving
$550K
23. The Speranza Foundation
5 grants to 1 organization · largest $175K · through 2024 · 8.3% of their giving
$450K
24. United Steel Paper and Forestry Rubber Manufacturing Energy Allied
5 grants to 1 organization · largest $120K · through 2024 · 6.6% of their giving
$560K
25. Silicon Valley Community Foundation
32 grants to 14 organizations · largest $7.9M · through 2024
$21.9M

Funders are ordered by how much of their overall giving goes to social science work in Washington, D.C., not by dollar totals alone — a foundation that concentrates its giving here is usually a better prospect than a larger one for which this is a rounding error. 14 of the funders counted here are donor-advised fund sponsors, which grant on behalf of individual donors and accept no applications; they are marked and ranked last.

Other Causes Funded in Washington, D.C.

About This Data

A grant appears here when a funder reported it on its IRS Form 990 and the recipient organization is classified under the NTEE group covering social science work, with an address in Washington, D.C.. Grants are counted from the 2025 filing year backward.

Some 990 grant schedules list a recipient by name and address without an EIN, and those grants cannot be matched to a classification — so the totals above represent identifiable social science funding in Washington, D.C., not every dollar that reached the sector. Figures are a floor, not a ceiling.

Looking for organizations rather than funders? Browse all nonprofits in Washington, D.C.

Research Washington, D.C. funders in depth

Full grant histories, recipient lists, officer compensation, multi-year financials, and exports for every foundation Imperigo tracks.