Our Story

Who We Are

21 COLLECTIVE INC is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting the people and ideas that strengthen our communities.
From our home base in Gaithersburg, Maryland, we focus on providing grants and giving programs that empower local initiatives and expand youth education opportunities.

We believe that meaningful change rarely happens alone. It happens when committed individuals, schools, nonprofits, and community groups are given the resources they need to act on a good idea at the right time. Our role is to help make that possible.

How It Started

21 Collective was created with a simple question in mind:
What if more small but thoughtful investments were made directly into community-driven projects?

We saw educators working after hours to support their students, community leaders building safe spaces with limited resources, and grassroots organizations trying to launch programs that could change lives—but often without access to stable funding.

21 Collective was born to stand in that gap:

  • To identify promising local efforts,

  • To support them with practical funding, and

  • To walk alongside them as partners, not just as a line item on a budget.

What We Do

Our mission lives in two main areas:

  1. Community Initiatives
    We support projects that improve quality of life, connection, and opportunity in local communities. This can include, for example:

    • Neighborhood-based programs and outreach

    • Community centers and after-school support

    • Health, wellness, and safety initiatives

    • Efforts that bring people together across backgrounds and generations

  2. Youth Education
    We believe that investing in young people is one of the strongest ways to invest in the future. We help fund:

    • Classroom and school-based projects

    • Enrichment programs, clubs, and workshops

    • Access to learning tools, materials, and experiences

    • Initiatives that build skills, confidence, and leadership in youth

Our grants and giving programs are designed to be practical, accessible, and impact-focused, so that applicants can spend more time doing the work and less time navigating bureaucracy.

How Our Grantmaking Works

While each program has its own criteria, our approach is guided by a few core principles:

  • Community Impact – We look for projects that deliver real, measurable value to the people they serve.

  • Youth-Centered Focus – We prioritize initiatives that create meaningful educational opportunities or positive experiences for young people.

  • Local Leadership – We believe that those closest to the community are often best positioned to understand what is needed.

  • Stewardship & Responsibility – We treat every dollar as an opportunity to build something lasting and meaningful.

We review applications with care, consider both short-term outcomes and long-term potential, and remain flexible enough to support both emerging ideas and established programs.

Our Values

At 21 Collective, our work is anchored in a few key values:

  • Integrity – We commit to honest communication, responsible stewardship, and transparent decision-making.

  • Respect – We honor the lived experience, culture, and perspective of every community we serve.

  • Collaboration – We believe that partnership—between funders, community leaders, educators, and families—creates stronger results.

  • Opportunity – We focus on opening doors for those who may have limited access to resources, support, or visibility.

  • Sustainability – We aim for impact that lasts, not just short-term fixes.

Our Vision for the Future

We envision communities where:

  • Young people have the support, tools, and encouragement they need to thrive;

  • Local leaders and organizations are empowered to act on bold, practical ideas;

  • Funding is not a barrier to starting a program that could change lives; and

  • Collaboration across sectors—schools, nonprofits, businesses, and residents—creates a stronger, more resilient community fabric.

As we grow, we plan to:

  • Expand our grant and giving programs;

  • Build deeper relationships with schools, community organizations, and partners;

  • Share stories and learnings so others can be inspired to create impact in their own communities.

Join Our Story

Our work is only possible because of the people and organizations who choose to get involved—by applying for support, partnering with us, or contributing to our mission.

Whether you are an educator with a new idea, a community leader building something important, or a supporter who wants to help create opportunities for others, there is a place for you in the story of 21 Collective.

If you would like to learn more about our programs, eligibility, or ways to support our work, please contact us at:

21 COLLECTIVE INC
13521 Haddonfield Ln
Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
Email: [email protected]