Women’s Fund Grant Application Information

Deadline: December 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM CST (Midnight)

Description
The Women’s Fund was established with the mission “To promote women’s leadership in philanthropy, increase charitable contributions and strengthen their value through collective giving, and encourage a new generation of philanthropists.” In grantmaking, The Women’s Fund is committed to supporting groundbreaking solutions to complex problems facing women and children and to being a catalyst for enduring change.

 

The Women’s Fund is extending the RFP to fund:

  1. Programs/projects which strengthen the economic well-being of women and their children in Topeka/Shawnee County through financial literacy, and

  2. Programs/projects integrating science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) in out-of-school programs aimed to improve academic performance. Out-of-school programs refers to before school, afterschool, off-site and/or summer school learning programs, and

  3. Health/Mental health programs/projects which serve children in Shawnee County, and

  4. Affordable Housing programs/projects which lead to stable and affordable housing for women and children in Shawnee County, and

  5. Programs/projects that support access to healthy food for women and children in Shawnee County.

Under this RFP, one to three grant awards are expected to be made for an amount less than $10,000.00. The total amount of grant awards for 2025 is expected to be between $14,000 to $15,000. Requests exceeding $10,000 will not be considered. Only proposals which seek one-year funding will be considered. This grant-making cycle is designed to fund exceptional ideas which provide opportunities and creative solutions.

Requirements
The Women’s Fund will accept proposals from nonprofit organizations or public organizations which demonstrate charitable intent. The Women’s Fund does not support: 

  • Direct Support of Individuals

  • Scholarships

  • For-profit organizations

  • Capital projects

  • Debt reduction

  • Fundraising events

  • Political campaigns

  • Conference attendance

  • Organizational endowments

  • Programs that promote religious or sectarian activities

  • Staff salaries

Important Funding Considerations
Awards will be determined by the quality and strength of the case presented for the proposed need via the supporting proposal narrative and by the appropriateness of The Women’s Fund as the source of funding. Some of the criteria that will be considered in reviewing proposals are: 

  • Compatibility with The Women’s Fund mission and vision,

  • Organizational capacity,

  • Soundness of proposed strategies,

  • Resource efficiency,

  • Appropriateness of budget

Characteristics of the types of organizations and proposals which will be favorably considered include:

  • Clarity – a clear focus on serving your audience.

  • Leverage – Getting a good idea started that can be extended and supported; adapting proven, successful models; attracting other sources of support.

  • Assessment – Projects/strategies that address a clearly-defined need and include appropriate and reasonable plans for evaluation.

  • Accountable – Organizations that have a clear sense of and a willingness to comply with The Women’s Fund’s accountability process.

Grantees will be expected to meet The Women’s Fund requirements for the submission of interim and final progress reports and financial reports, as outlined in the Letter of Agreement that will be sent to all successful applicants. Additionally, applicants may be asked to present their proposal to The Women’s Fund. Recipients may be asked to formally present project outcomes at the conclusion of the funded program/project.

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