Women’s Giving Circle Grants

The Women’s Giving Circle Grants, an initiative by the Cadillac Area Community Foundation, focuses on promoting economic self-sufficiency and well-being for women and girls. This program aims to provide grants that enhance the quality of life in the Cadillac Area, addressing critical needs through innovative programming and capacity building. Grants range from $1,000 to $7,500, targeting nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status to foster greater community impact and support.

These endowments are prudently managed so that they grow over time to meet grant requests. Thus, donor investments create substantial grant-making possibilities for years to come.
Purpose
The general purpose of the Foundations grant making is to improve the quality of life through creative and innovative programs. Priority in all grant programs will be given to those applications for programs and project that reflect the following characteristics, which should be clearly stated in the grant application:
The potential impact of the request and number of people who will benefit.An imaginative and experimental approach to problem-solving.The extent of local volunteer involvement and support for the project.The commitment and composition of the requesting organization’s directors and staff.The degree to which the applicant works with or complements other community organizations to eliminate duplication of services.The organization’s fiscal responsibility and management policies.The possibility of using the grant as seed money for matching funds from other sources.The ability of the organization to obtain additional funding (if necessary) to implement the project.The ability of the organization to provide ongoing funding after the term of the grant.Develops new solutions to community challenges/needs.Increases the effectiveness of the nonprofit’s activities.Encourages civic development and volunteerism.
The Cadillac Area Women’s Giving Circle is a group of women philanthropists that have pooled their funds to annually award grants addressing the needs of women and girls and promote their economic self-sufficiency and wellbeing.

Eligibility

Qualified applicants will be nonprofit groups and/or organizations that hold a 501(c)(3) status, that wish to offer a program or project to benefit the quality of life for Cadillac Area residents.  Funds to annually award grants addressing the needs of women and girls and promote their economic self-sufficiency and wellbeing. The Circle anticipates that it will award one to five grants between $1,000 and $5,000.

Ineligibility

Normally, grants will not be made for:

• General operating support.
• Endowments.
• Fundraising campaigns.
• Sectarian or political programs.
• Grants to individuals (except as allowed by specific laws or funds so designated such as scholarship funds or student loan funds).
• Conferences.