City Blossoms cultivates the well-being of local communities through creative programming in kid-driven gardens. It collaborates with schools, early childhood centers, neighborhood groups, and community-based organizations to connect underserved communities to safe green space and garden-based programming, taking unused or underused land and creating urban gardens where children and youth use their creativity, intellect, and energy in new ways. Offering free and affordable in-school, after-school, and summer programming at 32 active sites for children (toddlers to teens) who would otherwise have little access to green spaces, the focus is healthy living skills, artistic expression, environmental stewardship, and community development. Dozens of neighborhood organizations, thousands of volunteers, and over 100 schools are part of the greening effort, fostering healthy communities by developing creative, kid-driven green spaces and innovative resources. Green thumb or not, you can help them grow.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 4

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide

Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students

Schools They Work In: DC Bilingual Public Charter School; Eastern Senior High School; Cleveland Elementary School; Capital City Public Charter School; E.L Haynes Public Charter School; Mundo Verde Public Charter School; Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School; Wilson Senior High School; Eaton Elementary School; Tubman Elementary School; Paul Public Charter School; Bethune Public Charter School; Hardy Middle School

Awards & Recognition

Think Local First DC Femivore Award, 2013
Stone Soup DC Hero, 2013
Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells' "Livable, Walkable" Award, 2012

Press

  • No stories found

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • The current budget for City Blossoms is: $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Each year 150+ community advocates review applicants on the basis of governance, equity, and impact. Each featured nonprofit has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. Spur Local charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $57 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

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