In an ordinary year, WYG would offer its year-round gardening programs to 6,500 youth, partner with schools and communities on school gardens, and deliver free science and nutrition curricula to enrich learning. Instead, it has been growing and donating thousands of pounds of arugula, collard greens, turnips, onions, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, okra, and more for DC families in need – through DC Central Kitchen and its partner schools – and 1,200 vegetable seedlings to organizations across the city. For schoolchildren, it added a food forest of edible perennials, two beehives, and grow-at-home kits. DC high school interns work with staff to grow food for donation and build gardens for neighbors, and school gardens have been improved so students will return to renovated outdoor classrooms. Determined to remain flexible during this crisis, WYG is sharing its resources and skills in extraordinary ways.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 5

Where They Operate: DC-Ward 5; DC-Ward 6

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

Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Caucasian; Latino/Hispanic

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Students

Schools They Work In: We work with a number of schools and community organizations over two of our programs -- Garden Science and SPROUT. The following is not an exhaustive list: ; Center City Charter School - Trinidad Campus and Capital Hill Campus; Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Public Charter School; Mary McLeod Bethune Public Charter School; John Burroughs Education Campus; Thurgood Marshall Elementary School; Tree of Life Community Public Charter School; Howard Gardner Elementary; Miner Elementary; Paul Middle Public Charter; River Terrace; Audobon Naturalist Society Summer Camp; Cesar Chavez High School ; Two Rivers Public Charter School; Greenbelt Mamas and Poppas ; Candeze Community Kids

Awards & Recognition

2011 marked the 40th anniversary of the WYG!
WYG received a Gold Leaf Award from the Department of Transportation - 6/2011.
WYG received Nature Explore Classsroom certification from the Arbor Day Foundation for the only certified site in Washington - 11/2011.
Featured in the documentary Community of Gardens and premiered throughout the DC area throughout the year.

Press

Budget (FY2015)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Washington Youth Garden is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $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 the Catalogue for Philanthropy

Each year 120 expert reviewers evaluate applicants for distinction, merit, and impact. Each featured charity has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. The Catalogue for Philanthropy charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $40 million for charities across the Greater Washington region.

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

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