NEW PODCAST LAUNCHED BY GRASSROOTS DC STAFF
HAPPY SPRING! We are pleased to announce the launch of a new podcast by the Grassroots DC team: Yet To Be Determined [YTBD]
Every episode of Yet To Be Determined Podcast starts with a question. Chances are the question will relate to the District of Columbia, not so much the Federal City but the DC that long-time residents know, love and are challenged by. The cost of housing is insane. Despite paying more taxes than at least 12 states, we have no say in how that money is spent. Congress on the other hand gets to decide what local laws we get to enact. And our mayor and city council too often go along with their wishes rather than pushing back.
Given the limited control we have over our own affairs, what kind of future can we expect for the District of Columbia? Local organizers, advocates and nonprofit leaders will be featured on the podcast to help us answer that question. Together we’ll explore possible futures for the city and its residents. Solutions will be suggested. Calls to action will be made. The future we want to build depends on how involved DC residents become. and as such it’s Yet To Be Determined.
Listen to Episode 1 now:
Don’t take our word for it. Seriously, don’t take our word for it.
We made some mistakes during the podcast. I said that we got help getting our 501c3 from George Washington University. In fact, Grassroots DC got help from Georgetown Universities Social Enterprise and Nonprofit Law Clinic to get our 501c3. They accept applications from nonprofits who need legal help with nonprofit formation and compliance in June for assistance starting September 2026.
I did in fact find our first grant opportunities at The Foundation Center, which was a physical location in the District of Columbia like a public library. The Foundation Center is now online and it’s called Candid. Don’t ask me why it’s called that but you can find it at Candid.org. Today, GrantStation (GrantStation.com) is probably better source for researching grants online, especially for small non-profits.
If you’re planning to start a nonprofit in the District of Columbia, start by reading these
DC Government Guide to starting a nonprofit - https://opgs.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/opgs/page_content/attachments/CED%20.pdf
DC Bar Pro Bono Center Guide to starting a nonprofit - https://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/files/2022/08/starting-a-nonprofit-in-dc-a-guide-12-2018.pdf
If you’re interested in getting that 501c3, the IRS has an online course that you might start with at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/stay-exempt/applying-for-section-501c3-status-course
If you just want to know what kinds of nonprofits categories that the IRS recognizes—this came up in the podcast, and frankly, whatever I said came straight out of my ass—you can find that information here - https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-types
