Unidas Youth Leadership Program - Teen Philanthropy Grants

Geographic Scope:

• Primary: Pima County (Southern Arizona) and expanding statewide
• Grants support nonprofits throughout Arizona

Overview:
Unidas is an award-winning after-school teen program that teaches high school-aged young women and gender-expansive teens about leadership, philanthropy, and social justice. Each semester, participating teens select a nonprofit organization to receive a $5,000 grant.

Focus Areas:
Nonprofits serving:

• Women and girls in Arizona
• Marginalized communities, including BIPOC women
• Organizations combatting systemic racism
• Support for incarcerated and detained individuals
• People impacted by medical biases due to racism
• LGBTQ+ communities
• Children, families, and caregivers

Award Details:

• $5,000 grant per semester to one nonprofit organization
• Selected by teen participants through application review, site visits, and deliberation
• Two grants per year (spring and fall semesters)

Program Details:

• Participants: High school-aged young women and gender-expansive teens (ages 14-18)
• Teaches: Leadership, philanthropy, social justice
• Includes: Community dialogue, site visits, interviews, grantmaking experience
• Meets: Weekly (currently virtual/Zoom option available)
• Provides: Social support, self-care, leadership skills, college and career readiness
• Scope: Expanding from Southern Arizona chapter to statewide virtual cohort

Program Benefits:

• Improved sense of purpose among teen participants
• Reduced stress
• More optimistic outlook
• Confident young leadership development
• Social and emotional health benefits

Program History:

• Over 16 schools engaged
• Over 30 nonprofit organizations collaborated with
• 2021 grant: Southern Arizona Senior Pride
• 2021 grant: Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK) - $5,000

Contact:

• Brigette Villaseñor, Unidas Program Manager
• Email: bvillasenor@womengiving.org
• Women's Foundation for the State of Arizona
• 7090 N Oracle Road Ste 178 PMB 2024
• Tucson, AZ 85704
• Website: womengiving.org/unidas

Applying to Receive a Grant from Unidas

Nonprofits interested in applying for a grant through Unidas should:

1. Visit the Unidas page at womengiving.org/unidas
2. Submit a request for proposal (RFP) response (specific format and requirements available on website)
3. Be prepared for:
   • Application review by teen participants
   • Site visit from Unidas students
   • Interviews with teen grantmakers
   • Deliberation and selection by the teen cohort

About Unidas Teen Participant Program

High school students interested in joining Unidas should meet these criteria:

• Young women/gender-expansive individuals in Arizona, ages 14-18 (high school-aged)
• Interested in social justice and philanthropy
• Interested in giving back to their community
• Available to meet weekly by Zoom
• Passionate about creating change that empowers women and girls in Arizona

Application Process:

1. Apply at womengiving.org/unidas
2. Submitted applications reviewed by WFSA staff
3. Selected participants notified
4. Spring semester enrollment available (as of January 2022)

Note on Funding: WFSA is seeking community sponsorship of semester grant awards. Interested supporters should contact Brigette Villaseñor at bvillasenor@womengiving.org.