The Neighborhood Initiative

The Dream Foundation launched the Neighborhood Initiative in 2008 to provide grants and offer support to nonprofits that focus on the well-being of children and families in the areas of health, education and recreation.

Grants

In recognition of the key role local nonprofit play in our community, the Dream Foundation awards grants and in-kind donations to support groups that are dedicated to improving the Southeast/Southwest DC neighborhoods surrounding Nationals Park and beyond. As of opening day 2012, the Dream Foundation has awarded 80 grants totaling $395,000 to nonprofits that make a difference. A partial list of grantees appears below.

Neighborhood Improvement Programs

The Dream Foundation undertakes a Winter Neighborhood Project each offseason in partnership with Rebuilding Together DC. Skilled carpenters, electricians, painters and plumbers from the Nationals Ballpark Operations crew join forces with front office personnel to help local facilities better serve our friends and neighbors. The project volunteers assist with painting, carpentry and plumbing work, electrical repairs and miscellaneous tasks. Projects completed to date include:

• Shirley's Place, a daytime hospitality center for homeless families on Capitol Hill, received assistance with painting, carpentry work and electrical repairs, as well as a new washer and dryer (November, 2011).
• Little Lights Urban Ministries, an after-school center near Nationals Park, received assistance with chimney and furnace repairs, carpentry work, plumbing repairs, lighting fixture installation and debris removal (November 2010).
• Unity Health Care, a local clinic and pharmacy serving the Nationals Southwest neighborhood, received assistance with painting, a built-in desk and bookshelf, and electrical wiring (December 2009).

Every summer, the Dream Foundation organizes Green-Up Day in partnership with Rebuilding Together DC and sponsored by Waste Management. Volunteers are recruited from the Washington Nationals and local businesses to help clean up and beautify the neighborhood, with an emphasis on the Anacostia River. Sites have included the Anacostia shoreline, wetlands adjacent to Nationals Park, residential areas and local playgrounds.

Special Projects

The Dream Foundation is a primary benefactor and supporter of the Nationals Miracle Field, which serves as the new home for the Miracle League of Montgomery County. The field incorporates a cushioned synthetic turf that allows children using wheelchairs and walkers to "run" the bases without fear of injury. The Miracle Field opened in August, 2011.

Dream Foundation Grantees (partial listing)

• Rebuilding Together DC
• Neediest Kids
• Covenant House Washington
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington
• The Bethune-Dubois Institute Inc.
• Arlington Little League Challenger Division
• Living Classrooms Foundation
• Everybody Wins!DC
• Earth Conservation Corps
• Baseball in the Inner City Program: DC RBI
• Victory Youth Centers
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• DC Federation of Civic Associations Scholarships
• Congressional Award Foundation
• Kid's Mobile Medical Unit
• WHALER's Creation
• National Black Church Initiative
• Step Afrika!
• Hispanic College Fund
• Center City Schools
• GALA Hispanic Theater
• Facilitating Leadership in Youth (FLY)
• Children's Cancer Fund
• Jan's Tutoring House
• The Fishing School
• PG County Educators' Association Scholarship
• Forestville Girls & Boys Club
• Latino Student Fund
• Progressive Sports & Entertainment Alliance
• Capital Area Food Bank
• The First Tee
• Brandywine Street Association
• Washington Nationals Dream Camp
• Casey Trees
• Literacy Council of Prince George's County
• Kappa Scholarship Fund
• MoPeace Foundation
• Student Athletes for Educational Opportunities (SAFEO)
• Banneker City Little League
• Children's Law Center
• The Foundation Schools
• The DC Grays