Mission
For over 25 years, through litigation, teamwork, and advocacy, DC Appleseed has helped make the District of Columbia a better place to live and work. Throughout our history, we have taken on some of the District’s toughest problems, developed proposed solutions to those problems, and then worked to get our proposed solutions adopted and implemented. Our efforts, however, continue beyond implementation. We monitor the implementation to make sure that policies designed to benefit District residents, particularly low-income residents and people of color, actually work as intended.
The thousands of hours of pro bono time donated by our volunteer attorneys, business leaders, and community experts multiply the impact of our financial support many times over. DC Appleseed is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to DC Appleseed are tax-deductible.
Making DC a Better Place To Live and Work
Anacostia Footbridge
Georgia Av-Petworth Metro Station
We have made long term commitments to improving the natural environment in a way that existing residents and newcomers can enjoy through our work on the restoration of the Anacostia River and development of the corridor along its shores
We have been successful in expanding democracy for the people of DC in a variety of ways, including establishment of an elected attorney general and budget autonomy. We continue to fight for Congressional voting rights and statehood, and to ensure that DC is prepared to take over important functions like courts on day one. We have fought for lead safety and an end to the AIDS epidemic, and developed supports for essential workers during the COVID-10 pandemic.
We have created new models for education and workforce development, and continue to monitor their successes while innovating new interventions.
While our projects span the areas of youth and environment, education and youth, jobs and economic opportunity, and DC Democracy, we have been and continue to be guided by our commitment to making DC a better place for those whose families have lived here for generations and those who are part of new growth.
Appleseed's Commitment To The District
Metro Station Interior
Martin Luther King Library
FIRST, we leverage our limited budget several times over with pro bono support from law firms, accountants, and other professionals – allowing our small staff and hands-on Board of Directors to tackle a broad range of activities that improve the quality of life in the National Capital Area.
SECOND, we are a local organization, working exclusively on the biggest public policy problems facing DC – from voting rights to health care to environmental concerns to jobs and housing and more.
THIRD, we are independent, non-partisan and objective. We do not come to any issue with an agenda or predetermined viewpoint and we take a position on an issue only after thoroughly researching it from all sides with the goal of finding the best possible solutions for where we live and work. We never accept government funding.
FOURTH, while we are independent, we connect our projects to wider coalitions. Working in coalition makes our research and consultation more efficient while growing allies for our advocacy.
FINALLY, DC Appleseed gets results. We are efficient, effective advocates. We build support and consensus for the solutions we propose by working closely with government leaders and community stakeholders during our investigations and as we formulate our positions. This collaborative approach builds broad support for implementing recommended changes. DC Appleseed doesn’t simply call for positive change, we help make change happen.