For over 15 years, Thrive DC has been a safe and reliable space for neighbors in Ward 1 experiencing homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity. Every morning, staff serve hot meals to some 200 clients, fostering trusting relationships with them so that Thrive can begin to offer more comprehensive services. Clients choose fresh food from its pantry every week, use its mail and shower facilities, launder their clothes during the summer heat, and pick up free winter clothing when temperatures drop. Case managers build on this foundation to help them work toward stability and self-sufficiency, providing medical referrals, substance abuse and mental health counseling, and other victim and emergency services. Through consistent and compassionate care, Thrive proves that it is more than a safety net for people in crisis – it is a judgment-free and welcoming community.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 1

Where They Operate: DC-Ward 1; Columbia Heights

Age Groups Served: All

Population(s) Served: Individuals who identify as LGBTQ; Individuals living with HIV/AIDs; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Immigrants/Refugees; Disabled; Gays/Lesbians; HIV/AIDs; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members


  • Number of people (clients, patrons, students, etc) we serve annually:   2,200
  • Number of meals served annually:   130,000
  • Pounds of food provided (groceries delivered, food items distributed) annually :   250,000
  • Individuals housed (temporary shelters, transitional housing, permanent housing) annually:   50
  • Number of volunteers who work with us annually:   1,400

Awards & Recognition

Capital Area Food Bank’s Outstanding Agency Award, 2004
Temple Sinai's Social Action Award, 2007
Washington Area Women's Foundation 2010 Leadership Award
Charity Navigator 4-star (top) rating, 2016
Guidestar Platinum Status, 2016

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for Thrive DC 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 Spur Local

Every year, 190+ local nonprofits (with budgets under $4M) apply to join the Spur Local network. 170+ community volunteers assess these applications for impact. 100% of organizations are site visited and financially reviewed. Finally, 76+ critical, local nonprofits are selected for inclusion in Spur Local's annual print and digital catalog, and enter a four-year partnership with us. Since 2003, we have raised over $65 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. We charge no fees and raise funds separately to support our work.

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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