Grantmaking
Our grant funding is focused on women and girls.
Currently, less than 7% of philanthropic dollars are directed to programs that specifically support women and girls, and women are disproportionately affected by many issues such as poverty, lack of healthcare, pay inequity, and violence.
By supporting programs that create opportunities to improve the economic, educational, physical health, and emotional well-being of women and girls, we can improve the overall quality of life in our community.
KEY DATES: 2025 grant cycle
- May 12: grant application opens
- June 16: application closes at midnight
- End of July: notification of proposal status
- August 4-29: virtual site visits (if applicable)
- September 8: applicants notified if advancing to member voting
- September/October: Women's Fund member voting period
- October 27: notification of funding decisions
- November 13: grant awards announced at annual luncheon
- January 1, 2026 or later: grant start date
WHAT WE FUND
The Women's Fund makes annual grants of up to $15,000 for organizations building economic security for women and girls in Forsyth County, North Carolina.
We recognize that economic security can be built through a continuum of activities, ranging from work that supports individuals currently facing systemic barriers to work that aims at removing those barriers entirely.
We believe that women and girls thrive economically when they are treated with dignity, have access to resources to meet their basic needs, and receive support for economic growth.
What we prioritize
Based on research findings from our 2020 Through A Gender Lens report and insights as a funding initiative, we know that systemic barriers have led to the gender and racial disparities we see in our community. We also acknowledge the challenges faced by smaller, newer, or women of color-led organizations in securing grant funding.
With this in mind, we prioritize funding for organizations that:
- have an annual revenue of $250,000 or less.
- are led by women of color (more than 50% of decision-makers identify as women of color).
- actively engage women or girls in the design or implementation of their program or project.
Eligible proposals that do not meet the criteria above will still be considered for funding, but will not receive priority.
frequently asked questions
What are some examples of grants you've made?
If you scroll down further on this webpage, you will see a list of our most recent grantee partners with descriptions of the grant support they received from The Women's Fund.
You can also read stories about a few of our previous grantees on our Stories of Impact page.
Why do you prioritize funding for organizations led by women of color?
Structural racism and implicit bias within philanthropy limit the amount of power and resources allocated to work led by people of color, women, and organizations with smaller budgets.
Leaders of color often have less access to networks of funders than their white peers and experience mistrust and microaggressions from funders and colleagues, resulting in burden and burnout. Leaders of color and organizations with smaller budgets also face arduous grant application processes, given that they are under-resourced and without funder networks, which delays or jeopardizes their work.
The Women's Fund seeks to change this dynamic and fund organizations using an equity lens.
What would or would not qualify for grant funding from The Women's Fund?
We support grant proposals that:
- focus on increasing economic security and or mobility for women and girls.
- benefit and positively impact women and girls.
- are making an impact in Forsyth County, NC.
- are implemented by a 501 (c)(3) organization, a government or public agency, or a faith-based organization. (Organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) may utilize an organization with one to serve as its fiscal agent.)
Note: if you are applying for general operating support, your mission and all programs/work must align with The Women's Fund mission.
The Women's Fund does not support:
- programs or organizations that discriminate based on ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran’s status.
- programs that proselytize or promote any particular religion or sect or deny services to potential beneficiaries based upon religious beliefs.
- individuals, including direct scholarships.
- capital campaigns, annual campaigns, fundraising events, endowment campaigns, or retirement of debt.
- biomedical research.
- political campaigns or other partisan political activity.
Can I discuss my proposal idea with you before applying?
Yes, if you have a proposal idea you’d like to discuss, we’d like to hear from you! You're not required to meet with our staff before applying, but many nonprofits find it helpful to discuss their idea with our team. To schedule a conversation, contact us (below) at least one week before the application deadline. Note: we cannot guarantee a meeting close to the deadline due to increased call volume.
How does The Women's Fund grants process work?
Organizations can submit one application for a maximum of $15,000. The Women’s Fund does not partially fund applications. If awarded funding, organizations will receive the full amount requested.
Grant applicants who meet the eligibility requirements participate in a virtual site visit in August. The virtual site visit is an opportunity for Women's Fund volunteers and staff to hear from you and gain a deeper understanding about your organization's work and proposal.
In September, proposals are presented to the Women's Fund membership for its voting process. Proposals that meet one or more of the priorities above are more likely to move forward for member voting. Those selected by the membership to receive grants will be announced at the Women's Fund’s annual luncheon in November.
If our organization received grant funding in the past, can we receive grant funding again?
Organizations requesting support for previously funded programs may reapply, provided that the project/program meets the current guidelines. Funding for the same project/program cannot exceed three consecutive years.
How much funding is available?
Historically, we have granted more than $100,000 annually to six or more organizations. The total amount of grant funding available each year is determined by membership fees and other contributions received.
Because the size of the grant requests, number of Women’s Fund members, and amount of other contributions vary each year, we are unable to predict how many organizations will receive funding annually.
Who makes the final grant funding decisions?
While our staff and volunteer committees serve as dedicated liaisons for this funding opportunity, grant decisions are ultimately made by The Women’s Fund membership.
Stories of Impact
Mi Casa
The staff at Mi Casa are accustomed to building trusting relationships with their clients as they offer little-to-no-cost legal services. On any given day, their clients could be seeking assistance in applying for citizenship, filing a tax return, or finding a job.
2024 GRANTEE PARTNERS
Hogar del Inmigrante
$15,000 to support Spanish-speaking women and child survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault with mental health support, business coaching, and wraparound services.
Funding will help cover essential costs for two programs that support survivors of violence: Happy Youth, which offers resilience-building activities, counseling, and scholarship information to children and teens who have witnessed domestic violence; and Fenix, which provides business coaching, digital literacy, and holistic support to help participants gain economic independence and confidence.
Honorable Youth, Inc.
$15,000 to support Salem Cohousing Project.
The Salem Cohousing Project is a pilot cohousing project that aims to provide affordable housing and wraparound support services for single mothers and their children. The Project will include four individual family units with communal spaces and provide programming that includes free on-site childcare, financial education workshops, workforce development, and mental health support for up to two years. The program's goal is to foster homeownership and economic stability for single mothers while reducing debt and eviction risks.
LEAD Girls NC
$15,000 to support the second year of their STEAM Initiative.
The STEAM Initiative is a 9-month program for middle school girls designed to build their confidence and interest in STEM through crucial real-world experiences and hands-on activities. In the upcoming year, the program will focus on technology, partnering with Forsyth Tech to explore fields such as animation, audio-visual production, and digital effects. This initiative addresses the gender disparity in STEM fields and aims to provide real-world experiences that encourage girls to pursue STEM careers.
Living Is Finally Enjoyable Winston-Salem (LIFE W-S)
$15,000 to increase their transitional housing and wrap-around support services for unhoused single mothers and their children.
LIFE W-S will use grant dollars from The Women's Fund to provide an additional single working mother and her children with transitional housing for 3 to 12 months, depending on need, and work with the family to create an individualized plan for building economic self-sufficiency and securing safe, permanent housing.
New Start Homes Program
$15,000 to support the development and implementation of a comprehensive Teen Pregnancy and LifeSkills Training Curriculum.
The training curriculum is for at-risk teenage girls and wll cover a range of topics including pregnancy prevention, sexual health education, healthy relationships, self-esteem building, goal setting, and decision-making skills. By addressing the root causes of teen pregnancy through education, the program aims to break the cycle of poverty and teen pregnancy, creating pathways to economic security for women and girls in our community.
One Love Strong Foundation
$15,000 to support the Mighty Moms Program.
The Mighty Moms Program is a pilot three-phase mentorship initiative that focuses on mental health, emotional well-being, and workforce reintegration for mothers who have experienced high-risk pregnancies and NICU births. The grant will support the successful implementation of Phase Two of the program, which provides financial literacy workshops, wellness education, and guided peer support designed to help mothers cope with feelings of anxiety, depression, and exhaustion.
Shelter at St. Timothy's
$15,000 to support the salaries of the overnight staff of the homeless women's shelter.
The Shelter at St. Timothy's typically hosts between 20 to 40 women per night during the winter months, providing consistent and safe shelter, hospitality, meals, and provisions for the following day. The overnight monitors, who are low-income women of color who have experienced homelessness, ensure overnight safety and care for women at the shelter and help connect them with additional resources for healthcare, mental health, and addiction services.
The Feeling Friends Community Centerfor Culturally Responsive Emotional Intelligence
$15,000 to provide mental health literacy and mentorship for up to 25 Black high school girls.
The grant will fund the continuation of The Superintendent's Institute, a program where Black high school girls develop critical life skills, gain cultural competence, and explore career paths through mentorship and hands-on learning experiences.
The Wells Center For Women in Transition
$15,000 to support up to 50 formerly incarcerated women through its Ray of Hope Project.
This initiative places women in reputable North Carolina rehab centers and provides comprehensive aftercare, including mentoring, peer support, mental health and substance abuse counseling, assistance with housing, educational and employment opportunities, and healthcare. It aims to break the cycle of recidivism and promote long-term stability by equipping these women with the tools for successful reintegration as productive and stable members of society.
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