Poplar Point Updates & Funding Opportunity

Our goal has always been to uplift and protect the collective with a sense of equity as we invest in two precious resources: people and nature.

The stories of working-class communities are often lost or erased, making it hard to remember the recipes for collectively organizing for a better future. We seek to uplift the stories and dreams of people who live in and work to improve Anacostia communities, parks and waterways to celebrate our community leaders, and to inspire others. Stories are an important aspect of who we are, where we come from, and why we do what we do! Archiving the stories of folks living and working in and around Anacostia honors the rich culture of this watershed.

The Citizens’ Poplar Point Working Group is an effort to document and elevate the collective vision and stories of people who have been working to transform the site for more than 30 years. As part of that effort, we are working with students from the Georgetown University McCourt Policy Innovation Lab to collect community data during the fall semester, and committed additional resources to the Poplar Point Project including communications and media support.

We had a wonderful in-person meeting in Anacostia Park on August 17th to discuss these updates and more on the Poplar Point Project. 20 people participated and shared ideas for what should happen in the public interest. We hired a videographer to film the event and is working on post-production editing. Stay tuned!

To learn more about the Citizens’ Poplar Point Working Group, visit: https://poplarpointdc.org/

APACC Steering Committee Announcements

Richard Trent with Friends of Anacostia Park and Akiima Price with Thrive DC hosted the APACC Steering Committee meeting in Anacostia Park. Phil Pannell with the Anacostia Coordinating Council, and Brenda Lee Richardson and Michael Bochynski with Clean Water Fund also attended the meeting. The committee approved the new organization members and funding requests.

New Members:

  • Capital Nature

  • DC Audubon Society

  • The Fresh Food Factory

  • Washington Area Bicyclists Association

Funding Requests:

  • $386 - Catering and event supplies

  • $1,000 - Poplar Point web support 

  • $1,000 - Poplar Point event videographer

  • $1,000 - Anacostia Coordinating Council annual boat ride 

  • $2,000 - Anacostia Coordinating Council youth statehood project

Funding Opportunity

Applications are now open for the Diverse City Fund Fall Grant Round! Apply now for up to $5,000 for an organization/project and up to $15,000 for a coalition.

The application deadline is September 30, 2022.

Diverse City Fund invests financial and social capital towards racial and social justice. They fund and support efforts in the District led by and rooted in communities of color to realize liberation, spark solutions, organize against oppression of all kinds, and create systemic change. 

Diverse City Fund will be holding three virtual information sessions in English and Spanish:

  • Monday, September 12th – 6PM – 7:30PM

  • Saturday, September 17th – 11AM – 12:30PM

  • Monday, September 19th – 1PM – 2:30PM

For information and to register, visit: https://diversecityfund.org/how-to-apply/ 

To learn more, visit: https://diversecityfund.org/current-opportunites/ 

For questions, contact: info@diversecityfund.org

Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative