Fund for Women & Girls Grant

The Fund for Women & Girls Grant aims to empower economically vulnerable women and girls in greater Mercer County through community investment and education. By supporting diverse projects such as early childhood education, mental health services, and workforce development, the grant fosters a collaborative environment for nonprofits. Eligible organizations must possess tax-exempt status and operate within specified geographical areas, ensuring targeted assistance. This initiative reflects a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, enhancing the quality of life for those in need.

Background
The Fund for Women and Girls is a field-of-interest fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation. FWG’s Grants Committee, which is comprised of voting members, oversees the entire grantmaking process and is supported administratively by the Community Foundation staff. Grants Committee members review applications, conduct all site visits, and select the finalist organizations and programs, from which the voting members choose where FWG will invest each year. FWG’s grantmaking is financed by our members/donors, who pool their individual financial contributions, engaging in collective philanthropy to make a meaningful impact on the lives of economically vulnerable women and children in our community.
Diversity, Equity And Inclusion
The Fund for Women and Girls supports the Community Foundation’s commitment to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable in our regional footprint and collaborate with community organizations that embrace diversity as a value and practice. Achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion, fully expressed in the organizational culture, values, norms and behaviors.
What We Fund
Projects/programs and operating expenses that support women and children in the following categories:

• Early childhood education
• Childcare
• Women and children’s physical and mental health including prenatal care
• Leadership and mentoring
• Educational/enrichment programs for middle and high school girls (children)
• Workforce development for women
• Domestic violence and prevention
• Parenting and family support services

FWG will consider investing in capital projects that support these endeavors (e.g., new construction, expansion or renovation of a facility, equipment). At the discretion of the Grants Committee, an organization may be considered for a multi-year grant for up to three years.

Eligibility

An applicant must have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code, be a publicly supported charity under Section 509, and be registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs as a charity in good standing.Applications will be accepted from organizations that operate and provide services within the geographic region covered by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, defined as follows:Mercer County
Eastern Bucks County, PA, including New Hope, Morrisville, Washington Crossing and Yardley
Northern Burlington County, including Bordentown and Bordentown Township
Southern Hunterdon County, including Lambertville, West Amwell, adjacent parts of East Amwell
Southern Middlesex County, including Plainsboro and Cranbury
Southern Somerset County, including Montgomery, Rocky Hill, and adjacent sections of Franklin Twp.Nonprofit organizations may apply for a grant from the Fund for Women and Girls regardless of whether they have applied for funding from the Community Foundation’s other grantmaking programs.

Ineligibility

What we do not fund:Services outside the above stated geographic region
Statewide organizations unless:The organization maintains a physical office presence within the PACF geography; and
All FWG funds will only be used within the PACF geography; and
It is abundantly clear the proposed initiative can be restricted to the PACF geography.Endowment-building campaigns
Fundraising appeals, events, and routine expenses associated with fundraising
Fraternal and religious activities
Tax-supported and government-operated basic programs and services (e.g., core curricular school activities or essential police and fire services)An organization that currently has an active FWG grant