The American Association of University Women was founded in 1881 to assist women in higher education and encourage more women to pursue college degrees. They continue this legacy through their Community Action Grants, which support projects to promote education and equity for women and girls.
Awards of $3,000 – $10,000 are available for Project support or General operating support. Applications are accepted each year August 1 – December 1.
Eligibility
This grant is open to:
- Individuals
- 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
- Universities
- AAUW branches
- AAUW state organizations
Grant Types
- Project support – all eligible applicants may request project support to fund specific programming
- General operating support – Nonprofits may request general operating support to fund indirect expenses to further their overall mission
Allowable Expenses
Project Support
Project support funds may be used for:
- Professional fees or honoraria
- Temporary clerical assistance
- Facility leases
- Equipment
- Transportation
- Food and lodging
- Postage and shipping
- Office supplies and printing
- Audiovisual materials
- Advertising
Projects support funds may not be used for:
- Salaries or stipends
- Tuition
- Scholarships
- Construction or renovations
- General operating expenses
- Fundraising
General Operating Support
The use of general operating support is largely at the grantee’s discretion. Examples include:
- Budgetary gaps
- Supplementing salaries and benefits
- Overhead expenses
- Technology
- Communications
- Fundraising
Selection Criteria
All submission will be reviewed based on:
- Relevance to the AAUW mission
- Strength of the applicant’s work and project rationale
- Clarity and creativity of the work or project design
- Sustainability and impact
- Feasibility
- Strength of the evaluation plan
- Strength of the dissemination plan
- Overall proposal quality
- Potential to leverage additional funds and/or involve the community
- Individual or organization’s leadership are from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds
