Grantmaking
Our grant funding is focused on women and girls.
Currently, less than 7% of philanthropic dollars are directed to programs that specifically support women and girls, and women are disproportionately affected by many issues such as poverty, lack of healthcare, pay inequity, and violence.
By supporting programs that create opportunities to improve the economic, educational, physical health, and emotional well-being of women and girls, we can improve the overall quality of life in our community.
KEY DATES: 2024 grant cycle
- June 3: grant application opens
- July 15: application closes at midnight
- End of July: notification of proposal status
- August 5-30: virtual site visits (if applicable)
- September 9: applicants notified if advancing to member voting
- September/October: Women's Fund member voting period
- October 28: notification of funding decisions
- November 13: grant awards announced at annual luncheon
- January 1, 2025 or later: grant start date
WHAT WE FUND
The Women's Fund makes annual grants of up to $15,000 for organizations building economic security for women and girls in Forsyth County, North Carolina.
We recognize that economic security can be built through a continuum of activities, ranging from work that supports individuals currently facing systemic barriers to work that aims at removing those barriers entirely.
We believe that women and girls thrive economically when they are treated with dignity, have access to resources to meet their basic needs, and receive support for economic growth.
What we prioritize
Based on research findings from our 2020 Through A Gender Lens report and insights as a funding initiative, we know that systemic barriers have led to the gender and racial disparities we see in our community. We also acknowledge the challenges faced by smaller, newer, or women of color-led organizations in securing grant funding.
With this in mind, we prioritize funding for organizations that:
- have an annual revenue of $250,000 or less.
- are led by women of color (more than 50% of decision-makers identify as women of color).
- actively engage women or girls in the design or implementation of their program or project.
Eligible proposals that do not meet the criteria above will still be considered for funding, but will not receive priority.
frequently asked questions
What are some examples of grants you've made?
If you scroll down further on this webpage, you will see a list of our most recent grantee partners with descriptions of the grant support they received from The Women's Fund.
You can also read stories about a few of our previous grantees on our Stories of Impact page.
Why do you prioritize funding for organizations led by women of color?
Structural racism and implicit bias within philanthropy limit the amount of power and resources allocated to work led by people of color, women, and organizations with smaller budgets.
Leaders of color often have less access to networks of funders than their white peers and experience mistrust and microaggressions from funders and colleagues, resulting in burden and burnout. Leaders of color and organizations with smaller budgets also face arduous grant application processes, given that they are under-resourced and without funder networks, which delays or jeopardizes their work.
The Women's Fund seeks to change this dynamic and fund organizations using an equity lens.
What would or would not qualify for grant funding from The Women's Fund?
We support grant proposals that:
- focus on increasing economic security and or mobility for women and girls.
- benefit and positively impact women and girls.
- are making an impact in Forsyth County, NC.
- are implemented by a 501 (c)(3) organization, a government or public agency, or a faith-based organization. (Organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) may utilize an organization with one to serve as its fiscal agent.)
Note: if you are applying for general operating support, your mission and all programs/work must align with The Women's Fund mission.
The Women's Fund does not support:
- programs or organizations that discriminate based on ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran’s status.
- programs that proselytize or promote any particular religion or sect or deny services to potential beneficiaries based upon religious beliefs.
- individuals, including direct scholarships.
- capital campaigns, annual campaigns, fundraising events, endowment campaigns, or retirement of debt.
- biomedical research.
- political campaigns or other partisan political activity.
Can I discuss my proposal idea with you before applying?
Yes, if you have a proposal idea you’d like to discuss, we’d like to hear from you! You're not required to meet with our staff before applying, but many nonprofits find it helpful to discuss their idea with our team. To schedule a conversation, contact us (below) at least one week before the application deadline. Note: we cannot guarantee a meeting close to the deadline due to increased call volume.
How does The Women's Fund grants process work?
Organizations can submit one application for a maximum of $15,000. The Women’s Fund does not partially fund applications. If awarded funding, organizations will receive the full amount requested.
Grant applicants who meet the eligibility requirements participate in a virtual site visit in August. The virtual site visit is an opportunity for Women's Fund volunteers and staff to hear from you and gain a deeper understanding about your organization's work and proposal.
In September, proposals are presented to the Women's Fund membership for its voting process. Proposals that meet one or more of the priorities above are more likely to move forward for member voting. Those selected by the membership to receive grants will be announced at the Women's Fund’s annual luncheon in November.
If our organization received grant funding in the past, can we receive grant funding again?
Organizations requesting support for previously funded programs may reapply, provided that the project/program meets the current guidelines. Funding for the same project/program cannot exceed three consecutive years.
How much funding is available?
Historically, we have granted more than $100,000 annually to six or more organizations. The total amount of grant funding available each year is determined by membership fees and other contributions received.
Because the size of the grant requests, number of Women’s Fund members, and amount of other contributions vary each year, we are unable to predict how many organizations will receive funding annually.
Who makes the final grant funding decisions?
While our staff and volunteer committees serve as dedicated liaisons for this funding opportunity, grant decisions are ultimately made by The Women’s Fund membership.
Stories of Impact
Mi Casa
The staff at Mi Casa are accustomed to building trusting relationships with their clients as they offer little-to-no-cost legal services. On any given day, their clients could be seeking assistance in applying for citizenship, filing a tax return, or finding a job.
2023 GRANTEE PARTNERS
Anuli Pregnancy Care Services
$15,000 to provide transitional support services and host educational and wellness workshops for new and expecting mothers.
Anuli’s Family Connections program provides individualized wrap-around services to promote improved reproductive health and birth outcomes. Clients gain access to individual and group educational support workshops on topics like childbirth, parenting, nutrition, mental health and wellness, financial literacy and more. Through a host of support services, educational and need based resources, Anuli helps parents learn to advocate for their children and recognize ways to identify and improve relationship barriers with social support systems.
City with Dwellings
$15,000 to create a Women's Guest Support (Diversion) Fund for expenses that help women overcome financial barriers to prevent or resolve their homelessness.
Women without housing face unique challenges and outcomes requiring specific care and support. Many do not have access to pre- and postnatal care, child care, child custody, or job opportunities due to their lack of stable housing and personal circumstances. By providing strategic financial support to women in active crisis, the diversion fund aims to help women gain housing stability – by reuniting them with their families, helping them start over in a safe place, assistance to avoid losing their home or help moving into a new one.
Eliza’s Helping Hands
$15,000 to provide holistic mental health support and career exploration opportunities through the PEARLS program.
PEARLS is designed for young women in marginalized communities ages 12-18 who have experienced trauma or been exposed to violence or instability in the home. PEARLS invests in mental health, social well-being, and economic opportunities of young women who may otherwise not have it. Driven by a goal to prepare a child, not repair an adult, program participants gain access to holistic mental health support, including individual and group counseling, equine therapy, and educational workshops on financial education and career exploration, soft and communication skills, multicultural awareness, self-esteem, and anger management.
Financial Pathways of the Piedmont
$15,000 to support the Pathways to Savings program, a matched savings program designed to improve financial well-being and economic mobility for low-to-moderate-income female heads of households.
Research reports that nearly half of Americans do not have $400 to cover an unexpected expense, and households of color are disproportionately impacted in savings and wealth. The program aims to increase financial literacy and create a foundation for women to build healthy saving habits and economic security. The match is intentionally 2:1, allowing participants to have at least $750 in their savings account by the program's end. Each participant is paired with a certified financial counselor to create individualized action plans to reach their financial goals.
LEAD Girls
$15,000 to support the LEAD Girls STEAM Pilot program, a new certified education component for 18 middle school girls to develop STEAM skills and career literacy.
The 9-month program aims to encourage girls to explore STEAM opportunities, closing the gender and race gaps within the industry. Each year, the program will focus on one specific area of STEAM and year one will focus of engineering. LEAD will organize field trips to reinforce the girls' learning and career exploration pathways. In year one, girls will visit learn about biomedical engineering, 3D printing, how to create prosthetics and more.
Living Is Finally Enjoyable Winston-Salem (L.I.F.E. W-S)
$15,000 to provide transitional housing and wrap-around support services to single mothers and her children.
Many families experience homelessness due to income insufficiency, earning less than their estimated essential expenses, including childcare, food, housing, transportation, healthcare ,insurance, other expenses. For 3-to-6 month, L.I.F.E W-S will house a family in a 3-bedroom home rent and utility free and have access to physical, nutritional, employment and financial counseling resources. With a commitment to creating a culture of community, L.I.F.E W-S will incorporate the “handshake-handoff” method, accessing resources alongside their families to ensure they understand their options as it relates to their unique experience and goals, ensuring continued support.
Our Opportunity 2 Love and Heal
$15,000 for a 12- week pilot program engaging middle-and-high school girls impacted by trauma and violence.
Opportunity 2 Love + Heal, previously the Women’s Gun Violence Prevention Coalition, began as a coalition of women in Winston- Salem concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on community violence in low-income and communities of color, along with disproportionate impact of health, economic, educational, housing, and food disparities. The pilot program is designed for Black girls in the east Winston community and will cover financial literacy, budgeting, self-respect, self-worth, and survivors' healing with a focus on addressing the impact of community violence and bullying. Through partnerships with women leaders and mentorship programs, girls will expand their network and bridge the education-to-career gap and provide the girls with guidance, support, and access to resources to promote for economic advancement.
The Parenting Path
$15,000 to launch an all female Knock Out Program program cohorts to address the needs of young ladies and their caregivers specifically.
This program will serve 11–18-year-old girls at risk of involvement or already involved in the juvenile justice system. The Knock Out for Change program incorporates an evidence-based Positive Parenting Program Curriculum proven to help curb and prevent gang involvement, reduces recidivism, improve family relationships, and strengthens parenting skills. Families participate in Group Teen sessions for ten weeks and receive weekly case management support. In addition to positive self-care and coping mechanisms, teens participate in boxing, mindfulness & meditation, while their caregivers participate in yoga.
Winston Salem Mixxer
$15,000 to hire and train female instructors, obtain gender-appropriate safety equipment and tools, and establish a scholarship fund for Mixxer's Women's-Only Welding and Woodworking (WOWW) Workshops.
The aim of WOWW workshops is to disrupt gender-based barriers and foster inclusivity within the metal- and woodworking, traditionally male-dominated industries. Women and girls become proficient with relevant tools and transfer their new skills to other areas, creating functional objects such as signs and custom furnishings for their homes or small businesses. The experience builds self-reliance and personal accomplishment among the women as they work to support themselves and their families.
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