Category Archives: Women

Giving Joy Grant

Throughout her travels, International Development worker Joy Kolin realized the fundamental truth that women, no matter where in the world, can create positive change when given the means to do so. In 2018, she founded Giving Joy to empower those women and help them build a better life for themselves and their communities through entrepreneurship.

The Giving Joy Grant is a $250 – $500 microgrant to give women a leg up as they build or expand their business or organization. The current grant cycle will close on September 30th.

Eligibility

Applicant

Women aged 18 or older from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply.

Project

This grant is open to projects from all fields as long as they are legal. Funds may be used to start or expand a business, nonprofit, non-governmental organization, or other entity. The only stipulations are that the project focus on women, girls, and/or families and that it is beneficial for the community.

Grant funds may not spent

To purchase products
To purchase stock
On advertising
On marketing.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions are scored on four criteria:

Alignment with the mission of Giving Joy
Innovative and clearly articulated project activities
Effectiveness of grant fund use
Clearly defined and quantifiable impact of the project

Application Process

After you submit your application, Giving Joy may request additional information or supporting materials. From these submissions, a shortlist of 5-10 projects will be created. If you are not contacted by Giving Joy, you have unfortunately not made it onto the shortlist.

Applicants who have been shortlisted may again be contacted for more information before the final recipients are chosen. Awards will go out in January 2024.

If you receive a Giving Joy Grant, you may not apply a second time.

Global Innovation Fund

The Global Innovation Fund invests in evidence-based concepts with the potential to change the lives of millions of the worlds poorest people. Through their grants they give entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop and improve their ideas.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis for three stages of funding – Pilot, Test & Transition, and Scale. Available funding varies by stage.

Eligibility

Applicant

Any type of organization working in developing countries may apply for this grant. This includes:

Nonprofit organizations
Social enterprises
Government agencies
International organizations
Research institutions
For-profit businesses

Idea

GIF will fund innovative concepts that:

Focus on the poor
Are novel approaches
Are evidence-based
Can be widely applied in many different settings
Have the potential to expand to reach millions of people
Are led by strong, dynamic teams
Are ready for investment
Will produce new insight
Have a clear role for GIF
Take gender impacts into account
Factor in climate risk and opportunity

Funding Stages

Pilot

Ideas in the Pilot Stage may apply for up to $230,000. Although these concepts are in the beginning stages, they must have a well thought out plan for developing and testing the idea. Funds at this stage may be spent on:

Research and development
Determining user demand
Assessing outcomes and costs
Conducting test studies

Test & Transition

Ideas in the Test & Transition Stage may apply for up to $2.3 million. These ideas have been tried at a smaller scale and shown promise for greater impact. Funds at this stage may be used for further growth and to produce additional evidence of the concept’s social impact.

Scale

Ideas in the Scale Stage may apply for up to $15 million. At this stage, concepts should have been rigorously tested and have a feasible plan to grow to impact millions of people. Evidence should support the financial, political, and logistical viability of the plan.

Funds may be used to adapt the idea to different locations and conditions, assess the most cost-effective methods for scaling up, and meet with partners.

Application Process

Every application must go through a multi-step process before being approved for funding.

Initial application – Submit the online application.
Follow- up call – A GIF team member will schedule a phone call to gather more information.
Full application and due diligence – Applicants will be invited to submit a full application with more detailed information. Team members will also contact stakeholders, references, and experts in the field.
Decision panel – A panel of senior GIF leadership and subject experts will convene to assess the full proposal and evidence gathered during due diligence.
Funding agreement – If approved by the panel, GIF and the applicant will enter a funding agreement.

TJX U.S. Foundation

TJX is the parent company of U.S. retailers T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Sierra, Home Goods, and Home Sense. Their U.S. Foundation supports projects that help children and families build a better future.

Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time to express interest in funding. Full applications are by invitation only.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations that:

Have been a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit for at least 1 year
Provide services within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office
Have not received funding from TJX in the past year

Program Areas

Basic needs – food, clothing, and shelter
School success programs – opportunities for at-risk, pre-K through 12th grade youth to access programs
Workforce readiness training – for at-risk youth ages 16-24
Safety from domestic violence – shelter, prevention, and services

Ineligible Expenses

The TJX U.S. Foundation does not fund:

General operating funds
Capital campaigns
Salaries
Scholarships
Sponsorships

Global Fund for Women Grants

The Global Fund for Women was founded in 1987 to support the gender justice movement. Through their grants they assist organizations working in their local communities to further gender equality.

Interested groups are encouraged to submit an Organizational Profile. If an organization is deemed a good fit for a General Support/Innovation Grant or Crisis Grant, they will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Eligibility

To qualify for funding, organizations must:

Be located outside the United States
Use an intersectional feminist analysis to advance gender justice
Embrace collective action
Be governed, directed, and/or led by historically marginalized communities including cis or transgender women, racial and ethnic minorities, and young, disabled, or queer people

Applicants may not be:

Individuals
Government entities
Political parties or campaigns
National level organizations

Applicants do not have to be non-governmental organizations to qualify.

Grant Types

General Support/Innovation Grant – These funds can be used to cover many expenses at the recipients discretion. This may include projects and programs or operating expenses such as rent and salaries.
Crisis Grants – Crisis funding is used to respond to urgent situtations caused by political violence, public health crises, and natural disasters.

American Association of University Women: Community Action Grants

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:

Photo by Kampus Production: https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-ethnic-female-student-doing-assignment-with-tutor-in-university-5940706/

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

Photo by Stanley Morales: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-long-sleeve-dress-standing-on-brown-concrete-pathway-3186386/

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

Amnesty International USA: The Ginetta Sagan Award

Ginetta Sagan was a human rights activist and 1996 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient who worked with Amnesty International for many years.

In 1994, Amnesty International USA established the Ginetta Sagan Fund to ensure that her legacy would live on. Winners of the Ginetta Sagan Award receive $20,000 in recognition of their work defending the rights of women and children through dangerous circumstances.

Nominations for 2023 are open until September 2, 2023 and winners will be notified in November. There has typically only been one recipient per year, but there have been as many as three.

Eligibility

Eligible nominees must:

Be women
Be the Founder and/or Executive Director of an organization
Have created significant change in their country, region, or issue
Have done exceptional work in human rights
Be under threat for their work

Political party leaders and government officials or employees are not eligible.

The Award

Award recipients will receive $20,000 to be used at their discretion. They may also receive up to $5,000 worth of professional development.

The purpose of the award is to:

Recognize outstanding work in the field of human rights, often done at personal risk
Increase the recipient’s ability to continue her work through financial support and increased international attention to her accomplishments and difficulties
Increase international awareness of the region and/or issue in which she works

Nomination Requirements

Each nomination should include:

Two letters of recommendation – These can be from anyone who can speak to the nominee’s human rights work and why she is deserving of the award
Photograph – A photograph of the nominee, which can legally be used in the media
Supporting materials – Supporting materials may include any relevant information such as interviews or articles about the nominee’s work

The Scherman Foundation

Since 1941, the Scherman Foundation has been involved in philanthropic giving in New York City and across the United States. Currently, they are focusing their efforts on racial justice issues surrounding climate change, democracy, and reproductive health care.

Grants are awarded on a national level in three focus areas: Democracy, Environmental & Climate Justice, and Reproductive Justice. Average award varies by focus area. Letters of Interest are accepted on a continual basis and responses typically take twelve weeks. Approved submissions will receive an invitation and link to the full application.

Focus Areas

Democracy

Awards in this area are generally $75,000 – $150,000 over a two year period for general operating support or specific projects.

To protect the right to vote, build institutions that are more accountable to the public, and address injustice, the Foundation supports organizations working toward:

Protecting, increasing access to, and expanding the right to vote, and ensuring secure and peaceful elections
Advancing institutional reforms
Building community power

Grant funds may not be used for:

Direct service
Annual or capital campaigns
Endowments
Conferences
501(c)4 organizations

Environmental & Climate Justice

Awards in this area average $50,000 over a two year period for general operating support or specific projects.

The Foundation is currently focusing on community-based BIPOC groups who are fighting for climate justice. People of color have born the brunt of negative impacts from pollution, climate change, and other types of environmental degradation and are leading the charge to overcome them. Preference is given to organizations in New York City and State, but applications from all U.S. states are welcome.

Grant funds may not be used for:

Land conservation
Projects outside the United States

Reproductive Justice

Awards in this area average $45,000 over a two year period for general operating support or specific projects.

The Foundation supports organizations addressing the disparities in access to reproductive health care based on race, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Potential strategies include:

Policy advocacy
Voter engagement
Public education
Leadership development
Legal advocacy
Litigation

Funds may not be used for:

Projects outside the United States
Direct action
Medical research
Research and publications not directly linked to policy outcomes
Scholarships or grants to individuals
Conferences and travel stipends

The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism

The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism was founded to promote an approach to Buddhism that combines Eastern wisdom with the unique culture of the United States.

Since 2003, they have awarded grants to nonprofit organizations who align with that mission. The theme for the 2024 grant cycle is Women Leaders in Buddhism and will close September 30, 2023. Awards generally range from $2,500 – $25,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations for programs in the United States.

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for:

General operating support
Program specific costs

Grant funds may not be used for:

Capital projects such as purchasing property, construction, or remodeling
Film projects

Theme

“When women come into their full power, a balance will occur which has not been seen for so long that no one remembers it.”

Dr. Frederick P. Lenz

https://fredericklenzfoundation.org/our-work/women-in-buddhism/

Recent scholarship has revealed a long history of women Buddhist leaders. This grant will support programs that bring modern women leaders to the forefront and empower all women within the practice of Buddhism.

Application

To apply, email info@fredericklenzfoundation.org with the name of your organization and a short description of your funding request and how it fits with the theme. Approved submissions will receive a link to the full application form.

Pure Leaf “No” Grants

Based on the belief that “No Is Beautiful,” Pure Leaf, in cooperation with the SeekHer Foundation, is sponsoring the Pure Leaf “No” Grants program. These $2,000 grants are designed to give a little extra support to mothers who are trying to do it all – childcare, housework, emotional labor, and work outside the home.

Two hundred Grand Prize winners will be chosen to receive a portion of the $400,000 total. No purchase is necessary. Applications will be accepted during three periods.

May 9 – June 30, 2023
July 1 – August 31, 2023
September 1 – October 31, 2023

Eligibility

This grant is open to individuals who:

Are legal residents of the United States or the District of Columbia
Are at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska)
Identify as a mother

Winner Selection

Process

Five hundred submissions from each entry period will be drawn at random to move on to the next stage. A panel of judges will review these submissions and choose seventy from Period 1, sixty-five from Period 2, and sixty-five from Period 3 for a total of 200 Grand Prize winners.

Criteria

The five hundred submissions selected from each entry period will be evaluated based on:

What is the Entrant’s personal understanding of what ‘doing it all’ means? (34%)
Does the Entrant demonstrate an awareness of the benefits of the grant beyond just its monetary value? Are they likely to continue advocating for their ‘no?’ (33%)
Does the Entrant’s submission truly reflect how the grant will help them say ‘no’ and reclaim some of their time? (33%)

Kathryn B McQuade Foundation

The Kathryn B McQuade Foundation was founded in 2013 to support organizations working to improve the lives of women and children. Applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed on a first come basis. Most awards are $5,000 – $50,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations or entities with a fiscal sponsor who is a 501(c)3. GuideStar ratings are used to evaluate applicants.

Focus Areas

Women

Assistance given to women is paid back multifold by the corresponding gains for their children and communities. Applications in this area should focus on helping women gain financial independence through activities such as education and job training.

Children

Applications in this area should focus on education and skills training that will help children achieve their potential and break the cycle of poverty.

Submission

Completed applications can be emailed to robert.r.fox@bofa.com with ‘Katherine McQuade Foundation’ in the subject line or mailed to:

Robert R. Fox

Vice President, Philanthropic Solutions

The Kathryn B. McQuade Foundation

VA2-300-12-92

P.O. Box 26688

Richmond, VA 23261-6688