Seeds of Strength Giving Circle Grant

The Seeds of Strength Giving Circle empowers women in Georgetown through collective grantmaking, having awarded over $2.3 million to local nonprofits. This initiative supports projects that address critical community needs, focusing on organizations that serve underserved populations and demonstrate measurable outcomes. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000, fostering collaboration and innovative approaches to enhance community services. Eligible nonprofits must have 501(c)(3) status and operate within specified Georgetown zip codes.

Seeds of Strength Grantmaking
Our grantmaking process is the heart of what we do for our community. Thank you for your interest and for all that you do. With each grant cycle, Seeds of Strength celebrates women coming together through collective giving to benefit the Georgetown community. To date, Seeds of Strength has invested $2,367,500 in 46 different nonprofits serving the Georgetown area.
We recognize the valuable work of the many local nonprofit organizations that address critical needs and social issues facing our community. To support this work, Seeds of Strength pools its annual membership donations to award grants to nonprofits, providing them with funds to support projects and programs benefiting the residents of Georgetown. In May, those dollars are awarded as community grants based on a democratic selection of grant recipients by the membership.

Eligibility

The nonprofit must be classified as a “public charity” with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If using a fiscal sponsor, include a copy of the fiscal sponsor’s 501(c) (3) determination letter. The applying organization’s target population is currently or will be serving individuals residing within the following Georgetown zip codes: 78626, 78627, 78628, 78633, 78634, 78665, 78673, and 78674.The applicant must determine the grant request amount ranging from $10,000 to $25,000.
The core activities of the program or project should achieve at least one of the goals and outcomes listed in Seeds of Strength’s Areas of Interest Goals and Outcomes. Seeds of Strength does not provide guidance as to which focus area is appropriate.In projects involving capital expenditures or improvements, applicant should own the property involved or have a long-term lease in effect as of the Letter of Intent due date with a minimum of five years remaining on the lease at the time of the grant request.The applicant should identify measurable goals and agrees to monitor results.The organization will use the full amount of Seeds of Strength’s grant and plan to expend the grant funds within 12 months (July 1 – June 30).If previously funded, the organization must have met all of Seeds of Strength’s reporting requirements on previous funding to be eligible for future funding.

Ineligibility

Funding will not be available for the following:For-profit organizationsUmbrella organizations whose sole purpose is distributing funds to other entitiesOrganizations for re-granting purposesLobbying or political organizationsCore operating expenses for public and private schoolsEvent tickets and event sponsorshipsIndividuals, for any purpose Endowment fundingDeficit reductionAnnual fund drives, annual appeals, fundraising events, or general capital campaignsA labor or fraternal organization, athletic or social club or associationOrganizations that discriminate by race, creed, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national originResearch (medical or otherwise)Programs involving acquisition of real estateCapital Improvements or renovations to property for the grant project where the organization does not own or have at least a five-year lease at the time of the grant requestProjects/programs may not do any of the following:Require belief in or participation in activities of a particular faith, denomination or religion in order to benefit from or receive services in connection with the project/program. Limit benefits to those who have particular religious beliefs or practices. Make the receipt of benefits or services from the project dependent on the recipient being required to participate in a proselytizing activity.Grant recipients that have been funded by Seeds of Strength the previous year must wait one (1) year to apply again.An applicant cannot apply for more than one grant in a given grant cycle.