DC Initiatives

We invested over $452,000,000 into more than 200 DC-area organizations.

Amount Invested
$452M
Funding Invested In General Operations & Capacity
75%
Investments in DC Students
$173M

DC Initiatives | Clark Foundation

DC Initiatives | Clark Foundation

Overview

The Clark Foundation invested in organizations that championed the people of Washington, DC and equipped them for success. 

In addition to its support of the region’s schools and community anchors, the DC Initiatives portfolio centered on improving parent and child health and supporting the persistence of DC students through college.

Parent-Child Health Initiative

Parent Child Health Initiative | Clark Foundation

The Clark Foundation invested in a city-wide effort to improve the quality of perinatal and early pediatric healthcare for DC families. 

We supported major hospitals, health centers, and community-based organizations in collaboration, idea-sharing and working toward the overall goal of ensuring that there is no wrong door for care in DC.

Our Results

Our partners transformed care for children and families.

A doctor in a lab coat checks the ears of a young patient at Children's National Hospital.
$128,000,000
Invested in organizations supporting parent-child health
26,000+
Patients served through Children's National Hospital's Clark Parent & Child Network
50,000+
Patients served through MedStar Health's Safe Babies Safe Moms initiative
536
Patients provided with comprehensive support through Sibley Memorial Hospital's Maternal Health Access Program
$64,000,000
Invested in community-based health centers and wraparound supports

Strong Schools & Community Anchors

Children wait in line. A young girl, center, smiles eagerly at the camera.

Credit: Lisa Helfert Photography

We invested in the capacity and sustainability of the DC region’s schools and nonprofit community anchors. Our aim was to ensure that DC students had opportunities that set them on the path to fulfilling careers by investing in public and charter school growth, staff development, academic programming, and facilities.

We also supported community-based organizations by providing flexible funding that enabled our partners to expand food access, youth development programming, workforce training, and other essential services.

Our Results

The Clark Foundation strengthened community anchors and schools throughout the DC region.

Two high school students work on a project in the classroom.
$282,000,000
Invested in DC schools and community anchors
98
Strategic planning, communications, fundraising, technology and evaluation projects funded
80%
Percentage of funding invested in general operations and capacity-building

College Persistence

College Track students pose around a statue in a park.

Credit: College Track

The Clark Foundation funded organizations that prepared students for the challenges of earning a college degree through individual coaching and persistence support.

We invested in mentorship, academic advising, scholarships and stipends for DC students pursuing higher education.

Our Results

We supported thousands of DC students on their paths through higher education.

A high school student wearing graduation regalia tries on her cap while her mother looks on.
$42,000,000
Invested in college persistence support for DC students
11,900+
Students received comprehensive academic, financial, and social supports
6,800+
Students received college persistence coaching

Select Additional Grantees

  • Capital Area Food Bank

  • Catholic Charities DC

  • Children's National Hospital

  • College Track

  • Community of Hope

  • DC Preparatory Academy

  • DC Public Education Fund

  • First Tee

  • KIPP DC

  • Latin American Youth Center

  • Medstar Health

  • Merit America

  • New Futures

  • Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation

  • Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys

  • Washington Jesuit Academy

  • Capital Area Food Bank

  • Catholic Charities DC

  • Children's National Hospital

  • College Track

  • Community of Hope

  • DC Preparatory Academy

  • DC Public Education Fund

  • First Tee

  • KIPP DC

  • Latin American Youth Center

  • Medstar Health

  • Merit America

  • New Futures

  • Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation

  • Statesmen College Preparatory Academy for Boys

  • Washington Jesuit Academy

Related Case Studies

Providing a Comprehensive Network of High-Quality Care to Improve Maternal & Child Health

Improving maternal and child health outcomes in Washington, DC through Children's National's Parent and Child Network.
Read more
A mother holds her newborn baby proudly in a hospital room.

Opening the Door to New and In-Demand Careers

Betting on a vision to grow a pilot program into an organization that helps thousands of people succeed in new careers.
Read more
Credit: Lisa Helfert Photography

All data accurate to 2025. Additional image credits: Children’s National Hospital; Lisa Helfert Photography