WCCF: The Women's Fund Grant

WCCF: The Women's Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Wayne County Community Foundation
Last Updated: July 18, 2025

Summary

The Women's Fund, an initiative of the Wayne County Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations in Wayne County, Ohio, focusing on women's education, economic empowerment, and health. Grants are awarded for project, start-up, and capacity-building initiatives that enhance the lives of women and girls. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt nonprofits and government entities. The fund emphasizes collaboration among organizations to maximize impact, while excluding funding for scholarships, capital campaigns, and politically affiliated activities.

Overview

The Women's Fund Grants Founded in 2013, The Women’s Fund (TWF) is an affiliate fund of the Wayne County Community Foundation. TWF awards grants to Wayne County, Ohio nonprofit agencies s that encourage the full participation of women and girls in our community, as well as those that create opportunities for the educational, physical, emotional, social, and personal growth of women and girls. The Women’s Fund (TWF) of the Wayne County Community Foundation is accepting grant proposals from nonprofit organizations for programs that address the following three focus areas: Women’s Education TWF seeks proposals that educate women about effective parenting; and about preparation for careers, and lifestyle choices. Collaborative proposals that provide opportunities for groups of women are particularly encouraged. Women’s Economic Empowerment TWF seeks proposals that focus on enabling women to financially support themselves and their children. Consideration will be given to financial literacy programs; programs that create better jobs and better access to jobs for women; programs that prepare women for better jobs; and programs that enable women with children to work more productively. Women’s Health and Wellness TWF seeks proposals that support women’s physical and mental health, and their right to live in a world free of violence. Consideration will be given to programs that raise awareness about healthy lifestyles; and programs that help women and girls address depression and other mental health issues. These three social issues all significantly impact the quality of life in our community. The Women’s Fund seeks applications from organizations that have identified projects that will facilitate real progress in these areas. The Women’s Fund invites proposals for: Project grants: For existing project costs or those in addition to an organization’s regular programming.Start-up grants: For new and emerging organizations that may or may not have a track record but show significant promise for success and sustainability. These funds are specifically targeted to new organizations that need initial financing in order to leverage funding from other sources.Capacity-building grants: For organizations to increase their range of services or to efficiently serve more women on an ongoing basis.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Organizations eligible to apply for funding include: tax-exempt nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and qualified government entities that support and provide services directly benefiting Wayne County, OhioTWF grants must benefit women and girls living in Wayne County, Ohio.

Ineligibility

The Women’s Fund will NOT fund:Scholarships to a university, college or technical program (However, WCCF has a number of scholarships specifically for women. Please see WCCF Scholarships for more information.)Capital campaignsReligious activitiesPolitical activitiesRetroactive funding requestsFundraising eventsOrganizations that may be deemed as discriminatory on the basis of race, age, gender, ability level or sexual orientationRequests to reduce an operating deficit or to liquidate existing debtAgencies of the state or federal government, unless they are part of a community collaborative that includes eligible organizationsOrganizations outside Wayne County, OhioIndividuals