Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley Grant Program

Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley Grant Program

Funder: Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley (WFGV)

Geographic Scope: Service region includes seven counties: Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Genesee, Orleans, Yates, and Livingston County (New York, US)

Mission: To amplify the voices of all women and girls in the Greater Rochester Area by breaking down barriers to success through equitable philanthropy and transformative community partnerships.

Funding Priorities

All programs must align with at least one of the following priorities:

• Equitable Philanthropy: Fund initiatives that intentionally work to dismantle systemic barriers in traditional philanthropic models. This includes increasing access to funding for historically underrepresented or under-resourced communities, supporting organizations led by women and girls, and promoting inclusive philanthropic practices that center equity, transparency, and community voice in funding decisions.

• Transformative Community Partnerships: Support collaborative efforts between nonprofits, grassroots organizations, schools, businesses, or government entities that work together to achieve lasting change in the lives of women and girls. These partnerships must go beyond transactional relationships and instead focus on shared power, mutual accountability, and co-created solutions that address root causes of inequality and economic challenges.

• Amplifying the Voices of Women and Girls: Invest in programs and initiatives that elevate the lived experiences, leadership, and narratives of women and girls. This includes advocacy efforts, storytelling projects, civic engagement training, policy influence, and leadership/professional development programs that ensure women and girls are heard, seen, and activated to lead.

Award Details

Maximum Award: Up to $50,000

Grant Period: One (1) year

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Have an active IRS Determination Letter confirming 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, OR apply through a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) status
• Be able to provide most recent IRS Form 990 tax filing (or fiscal sponsor's)
• Have been in operation for at least two (2) years (organization or fiscal sponsor)
• Demonstrate clear alignment with at least one WFGV funding priority with specific evidence and/or outcomes
• Provide a recent Financial Review or Audit conducted by an independent third party
• Be located in and serve women and girls residing within at least one of the seven-county service region

What WFGV Does NOT Fund

• Grants to individuals
• Endowments
• Religious or political purposes
• Capital expenses
• For-profit businesses
• Occupancy/rent
• Education scholarships to individuals
• Equipment expenses (with limited exception: only equipment directly related to program provision, not administrative or staff purposes)

Post-Award Requirements

• Site visits and/or requests for additional information may occur after grant award
• Grantees must monitor their projects closely
• Written final report required at end of grant implementation year assessing outcomes vs. objectives and how outcomes link to economic self-sufficiency
• Final reports are mandatory to remain eligible for future grants

Contact Information

Email: grants@womensfoundation.org

Address: 494 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607

Phone: (585) 242-0940

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm