Too often, students in our nation's capital do not receive the education they need to be engaged citizens. Focused on under-resourced schools and neighborhoods, Global Kids provides local youth with the tools to become successful students – and ultimately leaders – in a global society. In after-school programs at four high school sites, a citywide program at the Global Kids DC headquarters, and a global education program run in partnership with the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute, young people learn about global issues and how they relate to experiences in their own lives. Students design and lead service-learning and civic engagement activities, exploring how to catalyze change in their communities. College and career prep activities are central to the program; guest speakers include diplomats, policymakers, and international business leaders. Today's workplace demands critical thinking, problem solving, and broad-based knowledge of our world. Let’s give our young people these essential skills.

COVID-19 Update: GK-DC trainers engage with students four days a week via video conferencing and Ning, a Global Kids social learning platform. GK updated an entire module of its curriculum, created new systems for teamwork and team meetings, and new procedures for being responsive to the immediate needs of youth and their families. It also hosted virtual townhalls during the summer to help students process the protests against police brutality. One student had this to say: "I have become more sociable with teammates and capable of public speaking. Global Kids changes your outlook on the news and the world."

Headquarters: DC-Ward 2

Where They Operate: DC-Ward 1; DC-Ward 6; DC-Ward 7; DC-Ward 8

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17)

Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Asian American; Latino/Hispanic; Other

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

Schools They Work In: Columbia Heights Educational Campus ; Friendship Chamberlain Middle School; McKinley Technology Education Campus-Hospitality High School ; Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy-Capitol Hill Campus; Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute Global Education Program; Anacostia High School; H.D. Woodson High School; Ballou High School


  • Percent of seniors served by GK DC that graduated from high school in 2012-2013:   95%
  • Percent of these graduates who are attending college:   89%
  • Percent of participants who agreed that GK helped them improve their attitudes towards the diversity of others:   88%
  • Percent of participants who agreed that GK helped them to improve their leadership skills:   76%

Awards & Recognition

1996 Silver Apple Award for Excellence in Youth-Produced Video from the National Educational Media Network for Tales from the Heights
1996 Mother Hale / Patrick Daly Award from the NYC Council
2001 The Gandhi/King Award for Nonviolence from The Interfaith Center of New York, The Temple of Understanding, the Association of Global New Thought, the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence and, A Season for Nonviolence
2005 New York 1’s New Yorker of the Week
2007 Games for Change “GaCha” Award for Best Awareness-Raising Game
2008 Award for Outstanding Community Service and Leadership from WLIW21 New York
2011 Excellence in Summer Learning Award from the National Summer Learning Association
2011 Chase Community Giving Advisory Board Grand Prize
2012 50 Best Nonprofits to Work For by the Nonprofit Times
2013 PEARLS Award for Responsibility from the Women’s Academy of Excellence

Press

Budget (FY2016)

  • The current budget for Global Kids is: $3 million or higher
  • $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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