Nashman Center MicroGrants

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GW MicroGrants for Service & Impact. Questions? Send an email to upstart@gwu.edu. Nashman Center Microgrants – Small Projects, Big Impact! Offers up to $500 in funding to support community service initiatives around the DC area. Applications open on a rolling basis. Includes a QR code


Nashman Center MicroGrants for Service & Impact

Small Projects, Big Impact!

 

>Applications CURRENTLY Closed for 2026<

 

**Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
So, the earlier you apply, the sooner you can start your project.**

 

The Nashman Center MicroGrants for Impact & Service provide up to $500 in funding to support GW undergraduate and graduate students in their community service initiatives within the District of Columbia and surrounding areas. Decisions made on a rolling basis, these funds are designed to help students cover essential costs that are not typically funded by Student Government, such as transportation, supplies, and project-related expenses.

Looking for more funding opportunities? Check out our other grants and fellowships!

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An Overview of GWupstart Grants

 

CONTACT upstartatgwu [dot] edu (UPSTART[at]GWU[dot]EDU) FOR QUESTIONS AND MEETING REQUESTS!

 

  • Eligibility: Open to all GW students who are enrolled during the proposed project term.
  • Application Process: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis before the final deadline for the semester. Before applying, please schedule a meeting by emailing upstartatgwu [dot] edu (upstart[at]gwu[dot]edu). The approval time varies based on application quality, and funds will be received within 14 days of approval.
  • Funding Purpose: Funds can be used for activities like transporting donated items, purchasing books for educational programs, covering speaker fees, or acquiring software licenses. However, funds cannot be used for food for student-only meetings, t-shirts, swag, or self-stipends. In rare cases, projects can be granted more than $500, but the proposal must explain and justify the necessity of the costs. For projects ranging between $500 and $2,500, please consider applying for the PSGC grants instead.
  • Community Involvement: Applicants must confirm their project’s alignment with community needs by providing contact information and confirmation from a community partner. This might include a letter of support or an email confirmation.
  • Post-Funding Requirements:  Recipients must submit a one-page report detailing how the funds were spent and the impact of their project, along with any relevant good-quality photos.

Application Requirements:

  • Name, email, phone, GWID
  • Description of the community service project
  • Signed Letter of Support from your Community Partner
  • Details on the DC metro organizations involved
  • Budget and explanation of how the funds will be used
  • Project timeline, objectives, and significance to the community

Examples of Fund Use:

  • Car service for delivering items to an organization
  • Purchasing supplies for school or after-school programs
  • Covering final graduation expenses for community projects
  • Licensing software for community benefit

Ineligible Uses of Funds

Grants may not be used for:

  • Grants may not be used for:
  • International initiatives;
  • Alternative break/immersion service trips;
  • Service-learning initiatives;
  • “Re-gifting” funds directly to a charity or cause, or using funding to purchase resources for a charity or cause;
  • Support for political campaigns, candidates, parties, or political issues; OR
  • Salary support or institutional overhead.

Get Started: To apply, please fill out the application form and submit the necessary details about your project, including evidence of community support. For any questions or to set up a meeting before applying, contact us at upstartatgwu [dot] edu (upstart[at]gwu[dot]edu).

The Nashman Center MicroGrants aim to make it easier for students to bring their community service projects to life, ensuring impactful outcomes for the DC metro area. Apply today to secure funding for your next project!

 

CONTACT upstartatgwu [dot] edu (UPSTART[at]GWU[dot]EDU) IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!

 

2025-26 Nashman Center MicroGrants Recipients

Sl. No.Project NameStudent Leader(s)Community Partner(s)
1Spooktacular Science at the Latin American Youth CenterSanjana AnandLatin American Youth Center
2Connecting Students Globally: Exploring Math Through Cultural Art and CreativityNaz AtabasHigher Achievement
3Seeds of Peace: Community Gardening as Harm ReductionMykala BledsoeLittle Friends for Peace
4CONNECT-ED: Coordinated Outreach & Navigation for Needs, Equity, and Community TransitionsAnna Buchanan, Alisa DewaldUnity Health Care
5DC Middle School Youth ChangemakersKevin Concepcion

Eliot- Hine Middle School

6MK's Holiday Grab BagsSavannah Hagen OhbiMiriam’s Kitchen
7GroW For HealthQi Hu, Sharad WertheimerFRESHFARM
8SewUp! Sustainable Sewing Workshops and Instructor DayRuby LeonardLatin American Youth Center
9Fall Baking ClassBrandy LopezLatin American Youth Center
10Making Hygiene Mobile and AccessibleEmily Mahler, Gannon Albertsen, Tore Oguntolu, Anvi BatraA Wider Circle
11CELS Narcan TrainingLily Myrick, Ruby Leonard, Savanna JonesWestminster Empowerment Center
12FLOC Book DriveJoanna Portillo, Ruby LeonardFor Love of Children
13Crochet ClassJorge RamírezLatin American Youth Center
14Renewing the Roots: Spring Cleaning for a Temple that Serves Its CommunitySonse Ransibrahmanakul, Amanuel HaileleulWat Thai DC
15Mindful MovementSofia RoehlerLatin American Youth Center
16The Pad ProjectNomonde ShongweN Street Village 

 

2024-25 Nashman Center MicroGrants Recipients

Sl. No.Project NameStudent Leader(s)Community Partner(s)
1From Books to Beyond: Empowering Youth Sanjana Anand Latin American Youth Center
2Seeds of Peace: Community Gardening as Harm Reduction Mykala Bledsoe Little Friends for Peace
3DCPS-After School Service Learning Asim Ebrahim, Eva Hook, Keira Khami Dunbar High School
4The Next Crank ShowJordan TovinJill Greenleigh
5Free Foot Screening Lucas Lee, Olivia Milliner, Willa Brown, Joyce Chen, Anna Gratalo, Kristen Malebranche Access Housing
6Health Matters Soo Hyun Kim , Shafia Khan, Kailyn McCullochOur Stomping Ground
7Birthday Party/Fam-Club: Games & Crafts with Families Overcoming HomelessnessLucas Lee, Olivia Milliner, Willa Brown, Joyce ChenCommunity of Hope
8Quality Improvement Project for the FUNctional Upper Extremity Class in MedStar NRHCarolin Capurro PerezMed-Star NRH
9Plenty HappeningCarolina Carmo, Max CohenWhitman-Walker Health
10Dental Hygiene PresentationMia JohnsonA Wider Circle
11Baking Class: LAYCKamila Rivera Diaz, Yazmyn AguilarLatin American Youth Center
12STEM Field DayBrooke Moses, Maeva TallaLifePieces To MasterPieces
13Girls UnbossedAicha SyAmidon Bowen Elementary School
14The Refugee Educational Advancement Lab's (REAL) International Rescue Committee (IRC) Day of College Mentorship Megan Ward, Mia Cleary, Maryann Chiu, Olivia Dunn, Jacqui Hatch International Rescue Committee
15Health Equity through Health Education Feven Gidey Gebre, Jennifer Harmon, Kami Ogunyankin Friendship Place
16Accessibility Awareness Campaign Lilly Shaw, Emma Lang,
Rishab Jain, Hannah Gluck, Peniel Bokretzion, Caity McCraw, Ja'net Cannon, Alex Radt, Mykala Bledsoe 
Chronic Health Advocates
17Pathways in Art: ArtReach @ Home Kits & Inspiring Future CreativesChloe BrooksArtReach GW at THEARC
18Anacostia Riverkeeper Capstone Group Single Plastic Use Awareness Campaign Rebecca Nusrat Rahman, Jenna Aldellizzi, Marie Goodrich, Carolina Gutierrez, Christine Wenzel Anacostia Riverkeeper