Women's Fund Grants Program

The Women’s Fund grant cycle opens in June or July each year. At the start of each grant cycle, we send information to local media and an email announcement to nonprofit organizations on our mailing list.

This website is accessible year-round as a resource for grant-seekers, but the contents are to be considered current only during the period which grants are under review (July – October of each year). 

After a meticulous deliberation process that begins with a review of funding requests, the Women’s Fund will award two Impact Grants in the amount of $35,000. Impact Grants focus on improving the quality of life for Vanderburgh County families. One impact grant will be for a program and the second will be for a project. 

In addition, during the 2023 funding cycle the Women’s Fund will be awarding a Focus Grant in the amount of $35,000. This grant will be awarded to an organization proposing a program or project that addresses substance abuse related needs in our community.

The Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County welcomes funding requests from nonprofit organizations deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and governmental agencies serving Vanderburgh County.

Funding requests from nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered provided the project is charitable and supports a community need and meets the other criteria described on this page. In some cases, organizations without the 501(c)(3) designation may be required to obtain a fiscal sponsor (see below).

Organizations may apply for either an Impact Grant (in the program category or project category), or the Focus Grant opportunity.

In addition, any organization which received an Impact Grant must wait three years before applying again in either Impact Grant category.  Organizations receiving Impact Grants within the past three years, are eligible to submit an application for the Focus Grant addressing substance abuse. 

Only one application will be considered from an organization.

Additional Considerations for Funding

For all three grant opportunities, consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate:

• Commitment to long-range planning, financial stability, and sustainability
• Sound plans to address ongoing or emerging issues that have been identified by research
• Solid, realistic plans for program/project evaluation
• Desire to promote collaboration among organizations or institutions to prevent duplication of services
• Project methodology utilizing a preventative approach to addressing the issue and solving problems
• Evidence of realistic organizational planning and management

Fiscal Sponsors

Non-charitable organizations applying for a grant under the auspices of a verified 501(c)(3) public charity acting as a fiscal sponsor are required to provide a written statement signed by the fiscal sponsor’s board president confirming agreement to receive grant monies if awarded and to oversee the proposed program/project.

• Community Development
• Education
• Health/Mental Health
• Human Services
• Endowment Creation
• Other Civic Endeavors (Arts and Culture, Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development)

Areas Considered For PROJECT Funding

• Capital Projects
• Endowment Creation
  

Program or Project Areas NOT Considered For Funding

• Programs or projects of organizations that are not committed to gender equity.  Applicant organizations are expected to have established female leadership on their staff and board, and generally promote gender equity within the community. 
• Requests for funding to reduce or retire debt.
• Programs or projects which focus solely on the spiritual needs and growth of a church congregation or members of other religious organizations.
• Political parties or campaigns.
• Operating costs not directly related to the program/project.
• Event sponsorship, annual appeals or membership contributions.
• Scholarships or other grants to individuals.
  

Deliberation and Award

The Women’s Fund grants committee will review all funding requests and select four semifinalists in each category (Impact Program, Impact Project, and Focus Grant).  After further review and site visits with each semi-finalist organization, two applicants will be  selected as finalists in each of the three categories for further consideration by the full Women’s Fund membership.

Vanderburgh Community Foundation staff will provide specific instructions to finalists at the time of notification. Grant awards will be decided based on votes from the Women’s Fund members at their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

No lobbying or solicitation of Women’s Fund representatives is permitted.

Funded programs and projects must begin within six months of the award and be completed within two years from the date the grant is received.

Two grant reports will be required for the Impact and Focus grants.  The first report will be due one year after the grant is awarded.  A final report will be required upon project completion.  Instructions will be provided at the time the grant is awarded through the grant agreement.

The following supporting documents must be electronically attached to the grant application in PDF format.

• Current board roster with professional affiliations
• Organization’s current annual operating budget
• Statement of Financial Position / Balance Sheet (Including the two years for the 12-month periods ending June 30, 2021 and 2022.)
• Statement of Activities / Statement of Income & Expenses (Including the current fiscal year to date and the 12 month period of your prior fiscal year.) 
• Annual Audit Letter or Financial Review Report
• Fiscal sponsor agreement letter (if applicable)