CFMJC: Women's Giving Circle Grant

The Women's Giving Circle Grant Program supports organizations that empower women and children in Jefferson County, Indiana. This competitive grant initiative focuses on education, economic empowerment, health, and violence prevention. By funding projects that prepare children for school, enhance women's financial management, improve healthcare access, and reduce violence, the program aims to make a significant impact. Grants are awarded based on community needs and legal requirements, prioritizing initiatives that foster collaboration and sustainability.

Women's Giving Circle Grant Program
The WGCJC makes grants annually to organizations that have the greatest potential to help the women and children of Jefferson County, Indiana. The Grants Sub-Circle reviews applications and provides grant recommendations to the general membership, which then votes on the recommendations at the annual meeting/dinner in the Spring. Grants are focused on the following four fields of interest, with the specific purpose of benefitting women and/or children:

• Education

Educational attainment is closely correlated to one’s economic success and well-being. Examples of initiatives might include:
programs that prepare children to enter school ready to learn or programs delivering quality after-school/summer academic or enrichment experiences;literacy programs for children or parents;efforts to ensure students’ graduation from high school;efforts to address life skills and/or job skills for adult women
Economic Empowerment
Many factors influence women’s abilities to achieve financial independence. Among them are workforce participation, earnings, and education attainment. Examples of possible initiatives include:
programs for women business owners to ensure the growth and success of their firms;efforts that encourage women and/or youth to pursue non-traditional career opportunities;programs enhancing women and/or children’s personal financial management, budgeting, saving, and investing
Physical and Mental Health
The majority of factors that contribute to the health and well-being of women and children are lifestyle related, but problems may be exacerbated by inadequate access to quality, affordable healthcare services. Examples of possible initiatives might include:
programs improving access to prenatal care and risk reduction for pregnant women/girls;programs providing physical and mental health information to women and children;nutrition and health education programs to address issues such as obesity and/or eating disorders;programs addressing issues that lead to substance abuse among women and children
Violence and Crime Prevention
Women and children experience many forms of violence. In addition to the immediate results of victimization, there are often longer-term impacts. Victimization often plays a role in delinquent and criminal behavior. Examples of possible initiatives might include:
programs promoting healthy child/parent interaction in order to prevent child abuse and neglect;programs addressing issues that lead to spousal and child abuse;programs for women and children who have been victims of violence and crime;gender-specific intervention services to address the increasing number of females incarcerated in the criminal justice system

Eligibility

Competitive grants will be made only to organizations whose programs benefit the residents of Jefferson County, Indiana.Grants from the WGCJC must meet legal and tax requirements as to purpose and may be made only to nonprofit organizations and government agencies, specifically 501(c)3 charities and 509(a) agencies.

Ineligibility

No grants will be made to individuals.No grants will be made to support political parties or political campaigns.No grants will be made for promotion of a particular church, denomination, or religion, but can be made to religious organizations for general community programs.No grants will be made exclusively for endowment creation, campaigns, annual giving, general fund, or new or existing debt reduction of the recipient organization. If grant applications are turned down for a specific grant application request, they may not re-apply for the same, or similar, request in the next cycle.No grants will be made for dinner galas, event advertising, or other special fundraising events.Travel and food expenses will generally not be considered.