Application Process

Our Grantmaking Program awards grants to nonprofits doing the best work to advance equity for women and girls in the Milwaukee area.

You must:

  • Have 501(c)3 status or a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor. No exceptions.
  • Demonstrate that your work focuses on the Greater Milwaukee area. If your project does not focus on the Greater Milwaukee area, we are unable to accept your application.
  • Demonstrate that your work focuses on advancing equity for women and girls.
  • Demonstrate that your work encompasses social change and not service delivery or social services.

Notes:

  • We define social change as a shift in attitude, behavior, and/or culture.
  • Proposals need to impact at least one of the three strategic funding areas: Economic Empowerment, Leadership Development, or Education.
  • Your request for funding may be for programmatic, operational funds.  Multi-year requests are entertained.  

Important Dates:

WF Grant Informational Session:  TENTATIVELY Tuesday, August 13, 2019 from 8:45 – 10 AM.  Please check back week of July 8 for registration information and event logistics. Appreciate your patience…thank you.   

Preliminary Application Opens Via Website: Monday, August 19, 2019

Preliminary Applications Due: Thursday, September 12, 2019, at 11:59 PM

Invitation to Apply for Grant Notification: Approximately October 15, 2019

Final Application Due: Monday, November 4, 2019, at 11:59 PM

Grant Notifications: Week of December 16, 2019

Grant Checks Distributed: January 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you grant money to individuals?

No, we do not grant money to individuals for any purpose.

Do you fund direct-service-only organizations?

We do not fund social service work. We fund organizations that are doing social change work. These organizations may also be doing direct service.

Do you fund for-profit efforts?

No. We award grants to 501(c)(3) type organizations/projects that are working to advance equity for women.

Do you accept preliminary applications by Fax?

No.  We accept applications by email or US Mail.

Will my submission be acknowledged?

Yes. An email will be sent that acknowledges the receipt of your application.

Questions?

Please contact the Women’s Fund at info@womensfundmke.org or 414-290-7350.

Why It Matters

Women have higher rates of poverty and much lower rates of business ownership than men in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia, despite having made significant progress over the last 25 years in attaining a college education.