Gender Economic Equity Program (GEEP)

Geographic Scope: Greater Philadelphia region

Program Focus:
Investing in the care economy as a pathway to gender and economic equity. The care economy encompasses childcare, elder care, health care, domestic work, and disability care—essential work disproportionately performed by women and gender-marginalized people.

Award Details:
Each grantee receives $235,000 over three years (2025-2028):

• $50,000/year (3 years) for general operating support
• $25,000/year (3 years) for staff wellness initiatives
• $10,000 one-time accelerator grant (Year 2) for gender equity pilot program

Inaugural 2025 Grantees:

1. Along the Way - Supports low-income single mothers through free/low-cost in-home childcare and wraparound services (legal consultation, case management, employment referrals, parent education, car assistance)
2. Connectedly - Strengthens support networks for older adults (especially grandparent caregivers and homebound individuals), focusing on low-income older women of color in Philadelphia
3. Therapy Center of Philadelphia - Provides high-quality, affordable psychotherapy to women, trans, and gender non-conforming individuals using intersectional approach
4. Women in Dialogue - Advocates for economic recognition of caregiving work (waged and unwaged); promotes pay equity, guaranteed care income, pensions, and community-led change

Gender Equity Designer Program

• 6-month intensive training (June-December 2025)
• Twice monthly, 2-hour sessions
• Four representatives per grantee organization
• Focus on designing and evaluating equity strategies, adopting equity mindset, gender lens
• Covers best practices, techniques, key performance indicators for equitable organizations

Community of Practice

• Runs January 2026 - April 2028
• Explores best practices linking gender equity to care work
• Grantees implement gender equity initiatives
• Continuous learning, mutual support, shared solutions

Eligibility: By invitation only for inaugural cohort

Contact:

• Email: info@womensway.org
• Phone: 215-985-3322
• Website: womensway.org/geep
• Address: 1617 John F Kennedy Blvd. Suite #2043, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Strategic Alignment: Part of WOMEN'S WAY's 2025-2028 Strategic Plan centered on creating equitable economic systems and addressing root causes of gender inequities

Application Process

Invitation-Only Program:

• Applications for GEEP were by invitation only
• Inaugural cohort grantees announced June 2025
• Not open to public applications at this time

If Future Cohorts Open:
Expected application components would include:

1. Organization mission and focus on care economy
2. Demonstrated commitment to gender equity
3. Budget under $1 million (typical for WOMEN'S WAY grants)
4. Community-led or representative governance
5. Capacity and willingness to participate in Gender Equity Designer Program (6 months, twice monthly) and Community of Practice (2+ years)
6. Interest in implementing gender equity pilot initiative

Program Timeline:

• Grant Period: 3 years (2025-2028)
• Gender Equity Designer Program: June-December 2025
• Community of Practice: January 2026-April 2028
• Gender Equity Pilot Implementation: Year 2 (2026)