Women Investing in Shepherd (WISH) Grants

Purpose: Provides grant funding to qualifying local nonprofits and Shepherd University learning projects.

Established: Created in 2014 by the Shepherd University Foundation and a volunteer steering committee from Women for Shepherd University.

Organization Details:

• Women's giving circle comprised of both alumnae and community members
• Sponsored by the Shepherd University Foundation
• Created to educate, engage, and empower women to achieve their philanthropic goals

Grant Pool:

• Total annual grant pool typically $51,250 total
• Typically split with approximately 50% for Shepherd University learning projects and 50% for regional nonprofits
• Up to two equal grants of $25,625 in each category (nonprofit and Shepherd learning projects)

Eligible Applicants - Regional Nonprofit Organizations:

• Must have current 501(c)(3) determination from IRS
• Must be based in or primarily serving the following counties:
  • West Virginia: Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire
  • Virginia: Frederick, Clarke, Loudoun
  • Maryland: Frederick, Washington
• Focus areas: education, arts and culture, community and family, health and wellness, and/or environment

Eligible Applicants - Shepherd University Learning Projects:

• Must be recognized as an approved academic, athletic, cultural, or community service program
• Carried out by students, faculty, and/or staff
• Must be sanctioned by the supervising Vice President or Dean

Selection Criteria:

• Responses to urgent and critical needs
• Bold new ventures
• New approaches to ongoing challenges
• Applicants must show need for use of this high-impact amount in a time span no greater than three (3) years

Recent Examples:

• 2015: Panhandle Home Health, Inc. received $26,250 for Wound Care Initiative; Seeding the Future Initiative at Shepherd received $26,250 for STEM engagement

Contact:

• Monica Lingenfelter, Executive Vice President
• 304-876-5397
• [email protected]
• Meg Peterson, Account and Project Manager
• 304-876-5021
• [email protected]

WISH Grant Application Process

Step 1: Submit Letter of Inquiry

• Submit by March 1 annually
• Submit to: Shepherd University Foundation
• Deadline: 12 p.m. on March 1

Step 2: Notification and Full Proposal

• Applicants submitting inquiry by March 1 will be notified about eligibility to submit formal grant proposal

Required Materials:

• Letter of Inquiry (available on WISH grants application page)
• Word document version available upon request from Meg Peterson ([email protected])

Contact for Application Materials:

• Monica Lingenfelter: 304-876-5397 or [email protected]
• Meg Peterson: 304-876-5021 or [email protected]