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.
Before applying for a grant with The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, programs must first complete a Letter of Intent Application. They are just that – what you intend to do, how it will be measured, and how much money you need to do the work. We are no longer accepting Letter of Intent (LOI) Applications for the 2012 Grant Cycle.
If you plan on submitting a LOI in the future, please review the grantmaking guidelines and application, available here: Grant Cycle 2012 Letter of Intent Guidelines and Grant Cycle 2012 Letter of Intent Application.
Full grant applications will be read by our Grant Readers and moved forward to the Board Selection Committee. The 2012 Grant Partners have been announced. Funds will be released on December 31st.