WHO WE ARE 

The Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL or the League) is on a mission to increase the economic and political power of historically endangered, excluded, and diverse populations. For 85 years, the League has stood on society’s frontlines as well as in the trenches serving as a safety net and facilitator of opportunity in Washington, DC, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County, Maryland. As one of the District’s oldest civil rights organizations, the League continues to carve a distinctive path toward justice and fair play by putting families first and catering to the needs of children and the elderly, and everyone in between. Since 1938, GWUL has guided individuals on the road to self-reliance, impacting over five million lives. The Greater Washington Urban League is a 501(c) (3) non-profit community service organization, a member agency of the United Way of the National Capital Area, and one of over 90 affiliates of the National Urban League.

WHAT WE DO

​The Greater Washington Urban League envisions a DC Metro Area where Blacks and other systemically disenfranchised populations are thriving unimpeded and unharmed by bigotry and structural racism. GWUL works to advance racial equity as a mechanism to achieve equality while also driving the acceleration of economic self-reliance, political parity, and physical and mental wellness. Together, our dedicated staff and volunteers from our auxiliary organizations—The Guild and Thursday Network— provide life and career navigation systems for youth and adults. We enable people to lead their lives with competence, dignity, and purpose while providing them the tools to transcend trauma, navigate barriers, and contribute to their communities. Through facilitating people’s journey along a continuum of wealth and wellness the League empowers communities and changes lives through a myriad of services:

HOUSING SERVICES ranges from preventing homelessness to making homeownership a reality by helping clients avoid the traumas of eviction and foreclosure while preparing others for the rigors and rewards of home ownership

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT develops resilient and financially astute life-long earners with the capacity and plan to accumulate generational wealth.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT assists participants in creating employment strategies and building resiliency leading to consistent life-long earnings.

SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP builds competent and well-capitalized business owners, by helping improve confidence and diminish structural barriers.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE stabilizes community members by distributing emergency assistance to families at risk of homelessness, food insecurity, utility disruptions, education delays, or medical neglect.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT & SCHOLARSHIP addresses the academic, interpersonal, and financial needs of our youth as a means to counter the traps of prison pipelining.