We have been listening. We have heard dedication, strong positive intention and strength. The non-profit community is struggling with fewer resources and fewer staff to implement programming. Our board has thought long and hard about how to respond. As every non-profit organization has had to realign priorities, make difficult decisions to release some activities and reduce staff size, The Women’s Fund has made a commitment. We are committed to our non-profit partners and to women and girls. If there is ever a time to stand up and show support for social change this is it.
We are taking a new approach to grantmaking. Our hope is that you will spend less time on grant writing and more time on social change. We are using this opportunity to invest more dollars into the community than ever before – and in a more targeted, effective way. In an effort to be as transparent as possible, please see the detailed description about how grants are awarded. We hope you like the changes. They were made for you and for women and girls in central Ohio.
Annual Grantmaking
We now make grants on an annual basis up to $20,000. We are still funding all three priorities:
- To advance the lives of girls and young women (birth – 18 years old) by providing life skills.
- To promote economic independence for all women.
- To promote leadership development for all women.
Advocacy Initiatives
The Women’s Fund also supports organizations conducting social change advocacy efforts within our three priority areas. Advocacy is defined as working to affect the actions of community systems, any level of government administrative practices, regulations, executive, or judicial actions. Advocacy activities may include but are not limited to public education, policy development, community organizing, research and leadership development of women and girls.
Grant Writing Workshops
In each of the seven counties we serve, we hold grant writing workshops in order to help prospective grant partners more about The Women’s Fund, as well as how to effectively apply for our grants. After completing the letter of intent, applicants will be invited to apply for grants. The workshops allow applicants to learn specific details about our funding goals and how to communicate their programs to us in the most advantageous manner.
Because we are anticipating a large volume of applications, and we know how time-intensive a full proposal can be, we are now accepting Letters of Intent. They are just that – what you intend to do, how it will be measured, and how much money you need to do the work.
In order to submit a competitive Letter of Intent (LOI), please review the grantmaking guidelines, available here: Fall 2010 Annual Letter of Intent Application and Guidelines
The deadline for Letter of Intent is Friday, June 30, 2010.
Then the applications will be read by our Grant Readers and then on to the Board Selection Committee. The full Board will then vote on the Fall 2010 Grant Slate in December. Funds will be released on December 31st.
One Girl Initiative
Two years ago, we started to feel we could make a greater, more targeted impact in our grantmaking by allocating specific dollars toward a single area. To that end, we investigated best practices and revisited our own beliefs – we believe all girls deserve to reach their full potential.
The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio has published One Girl: The Status of Girls in Central Ohio. During the data collection phase of the Girls Initiative, several gaps existed in the types of information available. In an effort to complete the portrait of girls in central Ohio, The Women’s Fund held “Listening Conversations” with social services providers, parents, educators, decision makers, and funders in all seven counties. Then using focus groups, we asked the experts – girls themselves – what it is that motivates them, what resources have been most helpful and what they need to catapult to success.
Keep checking back for progress on the One Girl Initiative.
Please direct all questions and comments to:
Kelly Budros, Director of Programs
(614) 225-9926