City Blossoms cultivates community well-being by transforming unused urban land into creative, kid-driven gardens and green spaces in partnership with early childhood centers, Title I K-12 schools, and neighborhoods. Supporting over 30 garden partnerships and six age-specific programs, it impacts more than 6,000 children and youth annually through free in-school, after-school, and summer programming. These gardens offer children — many with limited access to green spaces — opportunities to develop healthy living skills, explore plant science, express themselves artistically, and practice environmental stewardship, climate resilience, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. With the help of dozens of neighborhood organizations, thousands of volunteers, and over 100 schools, City Blossoms fosters healthy, vibrant communities by co-creating green spaces and resources for all, inviting everyone — green thumb or not — to help them grow.

WISH LIST: $100: 2 garden field trips; $500: garden shed with tools, art supplies, and mini-library; $1000: professional development workshop for up to 20 educators

Helping kids succeed academically is essential to their economic future—but building character enhances every aspect of their lives. YLF does both, training college-age youth and young professionals to mentor children ages 7–17, both in person and virtually. Year-round, boys in the Tenley Achievement Program and girls in the Program for Academic and Leadership Skills strive for educational excellence through intensive tutoring while developing character through sports, trips, and challenging electives. The Virtuous Leadership Academy offers high school students opportunities to engage with community leaders, including participation in a Spirit of Service Business Plan competition. Mentors serve as role models, empowering students to tackle challenges in the classroom and at home and instilling values of hard work, generosity, justice, and community service. Teaching kids not only to do well, but to do good, is truly life-changing.

WISH LIST: $100: week of after school snacks for students; $200: book stipend for 1 VLA participant entering college; $1000: year-round programming scholarship for 1 student

At RIF NOVA, books change lives. Every year, RIF NOVA ensures that more than 20,000 children are able to choose free books to begin building their home libraries, a key factor in reading success. Many come from economically disadvantaged households, where the pandemic closure of classrooms and libraries further deepened learning divides. RIF NOVA raises funds to fill this gap by providing a wide range of new books and literacy activities to engage Pre-K through eighth-grade students in reading. A donated book program augments book options, with a collection of over 50,000 new and used book donations to date. An authors-in-schools program brings diverse authors and their books to classrooms. A STEAM program provides relevant books and hands-on STEAM learning activities. Book by book, RIF NOVA gives children opportunities to read and succeed.

WISH LIST: $100: new book (of their own choosing) for 25 children; $500: 1 new book for 125 children; $1000: 1 author visit for up to 2 grades and an autographed book for each student

Curiosity and critical thinking are antidotes to prejudice and closed-mindedness – and both are critical to a democratic society. Unfortunately, too many students find their curiosity stifled at school, which is neither good for them nor for the country. That’s where Center for Inspired Teaching comes in. Through improvisation-based professional development, it trains teachers to foster a tolerance for uncertainty in their students and to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and compassion. This approach is often a revelation for educators seeking a new way to foster these skills and to build content knowledge for themselves and their students. Teachers shift their role from “information provider” to “instigator of thought.” Students develop empathy, learn to distinguish fake from real news, and engage in difficult conversations thoughtfully and respectfully. Empowering teachers and students together – that’s a powerful thing.

WISH LIST: $100: supplies & food for 2 in-person programs; $500: 100 decks of the ABCDE of Learner Needs cards; $1000: year-long Teaching With Improvisation Fellowship for 1 teacher

Founded as one of the nation’s first land trusts, the Accokeek Foundation stewards some 300 acres of public land that serves as the ancestral capital of the Piscataway People and remains a spiritual center for Indigenous communities. It engages young people of color in schools across Prince George’s and Charles Counties in immersive field experiences that connect them with the land and their cultural heritage. Educators receive professional development and resources to continue integrating lessons about agroecology, traditional foodways, and restoring native landscapes in the classroom. Interested students develop their leadership skills in environmental conservation through internships. Last year, over 100,000 people visited Piscataway Park, where a new exhibit created in collaboration with tribal partners highlighted Indigenous perspectives and histories. Through education, preservation, and experiential programming, Accokeek inspires a new generation of ecological and cultural stewards.

WISH LIST: $100: teacher professional development supplies; $500: planting & seed care for 200 square feet of native habitat; $1000: field trip for a Title I class of 4th graders

Founded by a group of former educators to address pandemic-related learning loss, EduTutorVA offers intensive tutoring support to 3rd-8th grade students who would otherwise be unable to afford private tutoring. Each year, school partners identify students most in need of tutoring. EduTutorVA then connects them with trained college tutors from different backgrounds and majors for virtual sessions three times a week, covering reading and math. Some 600 students annually receive targeted and consistent small-group instruction, with 93% growing in reading or math by the end of the school year as a result. In turn, over 300 college tutors receive competitive pay, valuable education, ongoing support from a master educator, and a positive introduction to the teaching profession. EduTutorVA bridges the academic achievement gap for students most at risk.

WISH LIST: $100: noise-canceling headsets for 6 students; $500: 1 semester of high-impact tutoring for 1 student; $1000: 1 year of personalized tutoring for 1 student

Students are most motivated to learn when they can share ideas and connect subjects in the classroom with their lives. For many, One World offers the best opportunity to do so. It trains local teachers to engage students in writing about a social justice topic and voicing solutions to challenges that affect their communities. Across a semester, students work with teachers on One World’s customized curricula, gaining coaching support, resources, and opportunities to publish their essays. At the after-school One World Academy, high-performing but underachieving students participate in similar programming in a culturally relevant and supportive environment that encourages them to push themselves. All can submit their essays to a citywide “challenge” at the end of each semester, where they compete for prizes and celebrate their success.

WISH LIST: $100: 1 hour of in-school professional development; $500: 60 journals; $1000: safe passage for students traveling to and from One World Academy

Since the pandemic, struggling students have fallen further behind. This widening academic performance gap has serious, long-term consequences because reading ability strongly predicts high school completion, college success, and stable employment. Reach takes a novel approach to close this gap: it recruits teens who have faced significant academic challenges themselves to serve as tutors. By equipping them with essential skills to tutor elementary students in need, Reach teens strengthen their own abilities, becoming better readers and emerging as leaders. A Summer Leadership Academy and Teen Publishing Project further support their academic and personal growth. The results? Tutors gained 120 hours of teaching experience; 100% of this year’s class is pursuing post-secondary or vocational training; and their young students received 60 extra hours of reading instruction. For both groups, it’s a win-win.

WISH LIST: $100: set of 20 teen-authored children’s books for 1 classroom; $500: monthly tutor stipend for 5 teens; $1000: Summer Leadership Academy for 1

Providing more than 3,500 kids at over 60 Title I schools with access to high-quality afterschool programs, DC SCORES’ whole-child approach is unique. It combines soccer, poetry, and service-learning to help “poet-athletes” build physical fitness, find their voices, improve literacy, increase school engagement, learn teamwork, leadership, and the importance of commitment. The program is free, and kids get everything they need to participate: balls, uniforms, coaches, fields, transportation, journals, and writing supplies. Poet-athletes participate in all aspects of the program year-round, which pushes everyone outside their comfort zone. Students who join to play soccer end up performing poetry on stage, and those drawn in by service end up scoring their first goal on the field, with their peers and coaches (85% are teachers) supporting them all the way.

WISH LIST: $100: writing supplies for an entire DC SCORES team; $500: a full fall or spring season for a poet-athlete; $1000: programming for 1 poet-athlete for an entire year

In Prince George’s County and across the region, many young people struggle with using technology because they do not own laptops or computers, and their caregivers often face language and digital skill barriers. BCAUSEICAN reduces the technology learning curve for students of color so that they and their families can thrive in an increasingly digital world. Every week after school, underserved K-12 students participate in bilingual programming to develop foundational knowledge in computer coding, earning age-appropriate industry certifications that equip them with marketable STEM skills. Interactive programs and introductions to sector professionals allow students to apply their learning to the real world, with many pursuing careers in STEM. BCAUSEICAN also supports adult learners (including seniors) in brushing up on their computer fundamentals, closing the technology gap for over 2,000 students and adults annually.

WISH LIST: $100: 1 hour of CODE or THRIVE instructional time; $500: 1 week of CODE or THRIVE classes; $1000: software for instruction and program evaluation

The vision: children from historically marginalized communities will be prepared to compete in a global economy, grow as leaders, and have a brighter future. ASAS brings this vision to life for nearly 500 of the District’s youth, providing free, comprehensive after-school programming at six elementary and middle schools: academic support, arts, health and wellness, STEM, and career exploration address the achievement and opportunity gaps widened by the pandemic. Expanded mental wellness support for students also helps them recover emotionally and socially. Mentoring is a staple of programming that provides an outlet for student voices and a space to manage emotions and process life events. Kids connect with caring adults who represent different cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints – and who believe in their potential for greatness.

WISH LIST: $100: week of art supplies for 15 students; $500: STEM supplies for 15 students; $1000: bus for an environmental science outdoor experience or college campus visit

The guidelines are simple: work hard, serve your community, earn a bike. Whether at Phoenix Bikes’ community bike shop in South Arlington or at local schools and community centers, youth ages 12–17 learn the basics of bike repair, practice their skills refurbishing a bike for someone in need, and earn a bike for themselves. Next, teens can stay on to learn advanced mechanics and help their peers with the basics, as well as build other leadership and job-readiness skills. On weekly group rides throughout metro DC, they use their well-earned bikes for transportation, fitness, and fun. The junior cycling team gives young people a chance to experience endurance, discipline, and teamwork—valuable skills in cycling and in life. Using tools to fix bikes? Excellent. Using bikes as tools to develop young leaders? Awesome.

WISH LIST: $100: brake and shifting cables for one Earn-a-Bike club; $500: a season of cyclocross race entry fees for 2 youth; $1000: 40 U-locks for drop-in or offsite Earn-a-Bike clubs

Since its founding 40 years ago, SFA has awarded over $20 million in scholarships, affording close to 6,000 students the opportunity to access higher education. Its unique partnership with Alexandria’s only public high school allows students and families to visit its on-site offices year-round. Well before their junior year, students attend college awareness workshops to explore their options. They engage with advisors individually and in groups to complete college applications, apply for financial aid, and stay on top of deadlines. SFA uses its broad network of partnerships to match students with additional resources they may not know about and to help them obtain as many scholarships as possible, including its own. SFA’s dedication to funding and supporting students is unparalleled, walking alongside them as they transition to college and complete their degrees.

WISH LIST: $365: year-round college & financial aid advising for high school senior class; $1500: yearly books & supplies for 1 student; $3000: annual scholarship for 1 student

Low-income and first-generation students face long odds on the path to earning a college degree: their graduation rate is just 16% nationwide. CDI provides 250-270 first-generation-to-college students with the wraparound support they need to complete a four-year degree. It provides comprehensive college advising, individualized test prep, support in identifying “best-fit” schools, negotiation of aid packages, and one-on-one assistance through college that includes wellness counseling. The Career Mentoring Initiative provides career readiness training, 1:1 mentoring, and professional networking opportunities. Additionally, the School Support Program provides coaching and support services for ten public high school counseling departments, impacting an additional 7,800 students in the DC Metro area. Each year, 100% of scholars are admitted to selective four-year colleges with average grants and scholarships of $36,000 – and a 90% graduation rate.

WISH LIST: $100: 1 professional development training; $500: translation services for non-English-speaking families; $1000: equipment replacement for the Scholars Computer Lab

For more than 30 years, SCF has provided early childhood educators and community members with high-quality, research-based training, investing in our childcare workforce to empower children, families, and communities in Southeast DC. Educators receive scholarships to obtain associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and work with program advisors to navigate classroom and workplace challenges. Additional hands-on training and certification build their skills in child development, classroom management, and educational planning, while mentorships with experienced educators further their long-term personal and professional growth. SCF also advocates for meaningful policy change to strengthen the landscape of early childhood education in DC. By directly supporting over 500 early childhood educators annually, SCF ensures that more than 1,200 children and families can access early learning programs that holistically promote their well-being.

WISH LIST: $100: reimbursement for 1-2 required textbooks; $500: mini-grant for 1 educator; $1000: partial scholarship for 1 educator pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree

BUILD immerses 300-400 students annually across the DC region in a comprehensive, three-year business program that uses entrepreneurship to cultivate the critical thinking, problem-solving, and social-emotional learning (SEL) skills they need to thrive. Students are first introduced to these concepts in middle school. Once they enter high school, they craft business plans, build small businesses, pitch to the public, and even earn profits. In their final year of the program, students focus on college and career readiness, with 99% of students graduating on time. Crucially, 91% of BUILD students meaningfully improve their SEL skills, which research shows to be essential to academic and career success. Through BUILD, students gain the confidence to pursue their dreams, embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and success.

WISH LIST: $100: 1 week of entrepreneurship programming for 1 student; $500: seed funding to launch a small business; $1000: 1 semester of mentorship & coaching for 1 student

Only 26% of young adults (18-34) born and living in DC complete post-secondary education, so ASF provides students with the scholarship assistance ($2,000-$5,000 a year), mentoring, and professional development programming that helps them chart their education and career pathways. Eight to ten scholars join the existing group each year and are matched with a mentor who offers academic, social-emotional, and career support, building a strong relationship throughout what will be a four-year experience. Altogether, approximately 40 students participate in the program. Additional career coaching, financial literacy training, resume support, and access to an advisor network ensure that Scholars are prepared for internship and job opportunities. ASF gives local high school graduates, especially first-generation college students, the opportunity to attend college – and the tools they need to thrive when they arrive.

WISH LIST: $100: care packages for two Scholars; $500: one supplemental fund request for a Scholar with an unexpected emergency; $1000: one semester’s funding for a freshman

On average, 9500 Maryland students drop out every year, with the highest rate occurring among African-American and Hispanic youth in Prince George’s County. L2C provides these underserved middle and high school students with year-round mental health services, mentorship, service learning opportunities, leadership development, academic coaching, college preparation, and financial literacy support – all at no cost. An annual mental health summit and youth leadership conference allow youth to socialize, practice emotional wellness, and prepare for transitions to college and beyond. Students learn entrepreneurship and public speaking skills, are matched with paid internships, and participate in STEM camps. First-generation college students receive application guidance and attend week-long college tours. Since 2013, 100% of L2C scholars have graduated from high school and enrolled in college, proving that its personalized approach pays off.

WISH LIST: $100: $10 gift cards for 10 volunteer mentors; $500: summer STEM camp supplies for 30 middle school students; $1000: 4 months rent payment

Community college is often the best first step toward a career or subsequent degree. New Futures leverages this undervalued pathway by investing in young people who are systemically excluded from traditional postsecondary education. Many of its under-resourced students are the first in their families to attend college and they lack the financial support to attend a full-time or four-year program. New Futures gives them scholarships and a comprehensive range of skill-building workshops to participate in. Every Scholar is also paired with an advisor who proactively builds a connection and offers support beyond academics. This holistic approach matters for Scholars navigating complex circumstances like immigration challenges or parenting responsibilities. With 97% of alumni now employed or enrolled in a subsequent program, New Futures is the launchpad from which youth can achieve their dreams.

WISH LIST: $100: 1 in-person skill-building opportunity; $500: 1 Scholar’s recruitment into the program; $1000: attendance at Scholars Weekend for 1 student

CISNCAP steps in where the need is greatest, working in ten schools where the majority of students are from historically underserved neighborhoods. With a focus on addressing chronic absenteeism to disrupt cycles of poverty and community violence, it brings resources into schools so that students can meet their physical, psychological, and social needs first. Regular field trips, family events, food markets, and college fairs foster a positive school climate while after-school tutoring, mentorship programs, leadership development, and career training provide students with a strong support network, Site coordinators work individually with those in need of extra attention, developing comprehensive drop-out prevention plans, coordinating with school staff, families, and community partners to fully support the “ABCs” of attendance, behavior, and coursework. CISNCAP engages 4,000+ students annually in the ways they need and deserve.

WISH LIST: $100: weekend survival kits for students experiencing food insecurity; $500: school uniforms for 25 students; $1000: supplies for the school’s hygiene closet

Montgomery County’s cultural diversity is one of its greatest assets, yet nearly 139,000 residents have limited English proficiency, which affects their health outcomes, civic engagement, and career development. Formed as a community coalition to address these challenges, MCAEL serves as a hub for some 60+ program providers that, together, meet the needs of over 16,000 adult English language learners annually. It advocates for and coordinates the funding opportunities and capacity-building resources that partner organizations need. Coalition members receive ongoing technical assistance to improve program design while new and experienced instructors participate in free professional development to better engage learners. Community partnerships with schools, businesses, and faith-based organizations expand its reach to more under-served residents. By strengthening its network, MCAEL turns barriers into bridges ...at scale.

WISH LIST: $100: 1 Chromebook for online ESOL classes; $500: instructor for a community learning group; $1000: convening for adult learners to find classes & resources in the county

Over 8,000 local young adults ages 16-30 need support to prepare for a fulfilling career – because they have dropped out of school or are immigrants seeking opportunity in the US. LAYC Career Academy empowers them to reach their long-term goals by providing free training for high-growth career fields, saving them as much as $20,000 a year. Upon enrolling, students take a personalized mix of classes to strengthen their literacy and technology skills. Then they advance into a specialized pathway of their choosing, training to enter either college or careers in the medical or IT fields. Every student gains a certification; career pathway students also complete internships while college pathway students earn college credits. 95% of the Academy’s graduates are working or enrolled in college within six months and on a pathway to self-sufficiency.

WISH LIST: $100: school supplies for 3 students; $500: school transportation for 1 student for 1 trimester; $1000: 1 trimester of Medical Assistant instruction for 1 student

For CORE’s adult students, who are primarily immigrants, women, and people of color, job security and career advancement depend on gaining digital skills to navigate a rapidly changing landscape – skills that, at CORE, they can grasp quickly and affordably without fear of judgment. Providing free online classes alongside free refurbished computers, no learning opportunity is too small for CORE. Students begin the moment they receive their computers, as volunteers demonstrate how to enter the virtual classroom environment in which they will participate. Classes cover the basics of Word, PowerPoint, and Google Workspace and more advanced offerings in coding and website development are available as they progress. As digital technology continues to advance, CORE ensures these 600+ adults each year are not left behind.

WISH LIST: $100: a refurbished PC laptop for 1 student; $500: digital literacy training & refurbished computer for 1 participant; $2000: annual fee for one digital platform