Strategic Initiative Grants: Women's Fund Grants

The Winston-Salem Foundation's Women's Fund Grants focus on enhancing economic security for women and girls in Forsyth County, where less than 7% of philanthropic funding targets their needs. This initiative aims to address systemic barriers, improve educational and health outcomes, and foster overall well-being. With the program's priorities including support for organizations led by women of color and those actively involving their community, the Women's Fund is dedicated to building an inclusive economy and empowering marginalized voices.

Grantmaking
Our grant funding is focused on women and girls.
Currently, less than 7% of philanthropic dollars are directed to programs that specifically support women and girls, and women are disproportionately affected by many issues such as poverty, lack of healthcare, pay inequity, and violence.
By supporting programs that create opportunities to improve the economic, educational, physical health, and emotional well-being of women and girls, we can improve the overall quality of life in our community.
Our Grant Program
Grant funding for The Women's Fund is focused on building economic security for those who identify as women and girls in Forsyth County.
The Women's Fund believes having economic security is key for all women and girls in our community to thrive. Our 2020 Through A Gender Lens research report highlights some of the systemic barriers that have led to the gender and racial disparities we see in our community and provides data related to Business and Employment, Economic Self-Sufficiency, Education, and Housing and Homelessness.
The Women’s Fund is a strategic initiative of The Winston-Salem Foundation, and this grant program directly aligns with the Foundation’s focus area to build an inclusive economy.
Priorities
While The Women’s Fund’s membership vote ultimately determines the final grant decisions, applicants that meet one or more of the following criteria will receive priority during the review process:

• organizations with annual revenue of $250,000 and under

organizations led by women of color and focused on working with women and/or girls of colorThe Women’s Fund defines led by women of color as organizations with more than 50% of the organization’s decision-makers identifying as women of color. This can include executive leadership, board, program managers, etc.organizations that actively engage women and/or girls with lived experience in the design and/or implementation of the proposed program or work
program or work designed with a gender focusThe Women’s Fund defines an organization or a project that has a gender focus as one that goes beyond the number or percentage of women/girls served. A gender focus entails considering the unique and varied experiences of those who identify as women and girls during the design and/or implementation of the proposed program or work.
Note for General Operating Support
Because general operating support is not tied to a particular program or outcome, if you are applying for general operating support, it is important that your mission aligns with the Women’s Fund mission and goals and all programs/work must meet the economic security criteria above.

Eligibility

The Women’s Fund will support grant proposals that:are designed with a focus on increasing economic security and or mobility for those who identify as women and girls.are designed to benefit and positively impact those who identify as women and girls.are making an impact in Forsyth County, NC.are implemented by a 501 (c)(3) organization, a government or public agency, or a faith-based organization. (Organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) may utilize an organization with one to serve as its fiscal agent.)

Ineligibility

We do not support:programs or organizations that discriminate based on ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran’s status.
programs that proselytize or promote any particular religion or sect or deny services to potential beneficiaries based upon religious beliefs.
individuals, including direct scholarships.
capital campaigns, annual campaigns, fundraising events, endowment campaigns, or retirement of debt.
biomedical research.
political campaigns or other partisan political activity.