DC is grappling with issues from education, the environment, housing, crime, workforce development, and health. One small nonprofit is usually behind the scenes, providing non-partisan reports and advocating for changes through its powerhouse board of pro bono attorneys, who come from DC’s biggest law firms. DC Appleseed, led by Walter Smith, middle, is celebrating 20 years investigating issues like why the nation’s capital leads the country in HIV/AIDS cases; DC’s lack of voting power in Congress; a referendum to elect a city attorney general; and lead in the water.

At the end of next month, the nonprofit will be part of a DC Insurance Commissioner hearing arguing that CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield should use some of its $1B surplus to address community health needs. The organization, which raises $1M a year for salaries and rent, chooses projects in many different ways. Walter, a former Hogan attorney and DC deputy attorney general, says government officials have occasionally asked for DC Appleseed’s assistance on an issue. Walter says it’s not hard getting board members to help argue one of the nonprofit’s cases, even though some take years to resolve.