POWERED BY DC
202 COMMONS creates third-place spaces where DC residents connect, find support, and build skills to strengthen their communities.
You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers
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202 Commons is a community-driven non-profit based in Washington, DC. We provide resources, opportunities, and cultural programming that help residents grow, lead, and thrive holistically.
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“202” represents DC’s area code, and “Commons” reflects shared spaces, resources, and traditions that belong to and are shaped by the community.
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Unlike traditional top-down development, our work is designed, led, and sustained by the very communities we serve. We focus on building long-term capacity, preserving cultural connections, and modeling new approaches to social infrastructure.
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We focus on resources that respond to community needs, such as:
Affordable housing support and referrals
Workforce training and entrepreneurship support
Wellness, childcare, and family services
Digital access and skill-building
Arts, culture, and community programming
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While we are rooted in DC, our programs prioritize underrepresented communities—especially those in historically underserved wards.
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All programs are shaped by community surveys, listening sessions, and resident-led advisory groups to ensure resources directly reflect local needs.
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Residents can participate in events, join advisory groups, volunteer, or even co-lead cultural and educational workshops.
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No—our core services and most programs are free or low-cost thanks to donations, grants, and community partnerships.
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We offer mentorship opportunities, youth-led projects, safe spaces for learning and creativity, and pathways for leadership development.
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We are supported by a mix of grants, donations, and partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and cultural institutions.
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Yes—we welcome collaboration with mission-aligned partners who want to co-create resources, events, or opportunities that benefit DC residents.
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You can donate, volunteer your time or skills, share resources, or sponsor specific programs/events.
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To become a national model for innovative social infrastructure—showing what’s possible when development is shaped and led by the communities it serves.
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We measure success through community feedback, participation levels, and the long-term capacity residents gain—from new skills to leadership roles to cultural preservation.