Women and Girls Fund
http://www.cfrrr.org/about-us-and-our-initiatives/women-and-girls-fund/
Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 2013-2014
The needs of women and girls are underrepresented and underserved by traditional philanthropy.
Studies conducted across the nation have concluded that:
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Less than six cents out of every traditional philanthropic dollar is given to organizations that
target services to women and children.
Less than five percent of all foundation grants are targeted for women and girls.
The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region established its Women and Girls Fund in
2009. Women and Girls Fund members offer financial support, time, and talent to address the critical
needs of women and girls in our community. When we advance the lives of women and girls, families
are strengthened, as is our community as a whole. For research findings see:
http://www.cfrrr.org/about-us-and-our-initiatives/women-and-girls-fund/research-and-publications/
Grantmaking
The Women & Girls Fund makes grants to nonprofit organizations as a key strategy to advance equity for
women and girls. Over the past five years, our Fund has leveraged the individual and collective power of
women in the greater Rappahannock region to make grants to nonprofits in the counties of Caroline,
King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford and the city of Fredericksburg. We believe that over time and
with the growth of the Fund, these grants will help create conditions for significant social change in the
region. Our grant cycles have established a powerful tradition that shows how nonprofit programs can
be a driving force behind greater equity for women and girls in our region.
For past awards please refer to our website: http://www.cfrrr.org/about-us-and-our-initiatives/womenand-girls-fund/women-and-girls-fund-grant-history/
For the current grant cycle, between one and 5 grants will be made. The total amount for all grants
awarded will not exceed $15,000. Grant awards are likely to range between $1,000 and $10,000.
Funding Eligibility
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Formal 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations.
Informal groups of women or emerging grassroots organizations that are able to secure the
cooperation of a 501(c)(3)organization willing to serve as fiscal agent.
501(c)(4) organizations are also eligible, excluding lobbying and electoral programs.
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The Fund will not support individuals, religious organizations for religious purposes, or programs and
projects outside of Planning District 16 (Caroline, Fredericksburg, King George, Spotsylvania and
Stafford).
Funding priorities for 2013-2014
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Organizations and agencies in Planning District 16 (Caroline, Fredericksburg, King George,
Spotsylvania and Stafford) with priority in the areas of highest need, as identified in the Women
and Girls Fund research reports, see above link.)
Organizations or groups in which women are the primary decision makers.
Smaller, grassroots organizations with limited access to other donors.
Larger organizations for start-up program grants, but not for general operating support.
Funding Focus for 2013-2014
The Women and Girls Fund allocates money, time, and talent to address the critical needs of women
and girls in our community. Grant requests from $1000 to $15,000 will be considered.
The specific areas we are looking to fund are:
1. Safety:
Programs that help women understand when they are in violent and/or abusive situations.
Programs that provide access to and increase awareness of existing community resources.
Programs that provide treatment to mitigate consequences of violence and/or abuse.
2. Education:
Programs that increase GED capacity and accessibility.
Programs that provide equitable and accurate career counseling for women and girls.
Programs that address gender bias and inequity in careers.
3. Health:
Programs that address and seek to reduce risky behaviors and promote healthy life choices.
Programs that support women’s health.
Social Change Goals
The Community Foundation’s Women & Girls Fund believes that by making grants carefully, we can
begin to impact social change. We believe that social change can be measured when it is categorized.
Below are four promising indicators that can be used to measure the impact of Women and Girls Fund
grants:
1. A redefinition or reframing of issues: The issue is defined differently in the community or larger
society as a result of education and awareness.
2. A shift in behavior: People are behaving differently in the community.
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3. A shift in engagement and commitment: People in the community are more engaged. The efforts
of the Fund have reached critical groups in the community.
4. Maintaining past gains: Programs that have made gains in the past when addressing critical needs
will maintain progress despite difficult times.
5. A shift in policy: An institutional, organizational, or legislative policy or practice has changed due to
advocacy on behalf of women and girls.
Application and Submissions
*New for 2013-2014: The Women and Girls Fund is accepting online applications.
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November 18th 2013. All proposals must be emailed no later than 5:00 PM to:
Lisa Biever (lisa.biever@cfrrr.org)
Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region
Women & Girls Fund
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Week of December 16th, 2013. Applicants will be notified if they have been selected to move
forward in the grant review process.
January 6-10th, 2014. Site visits of selected agencies will take place
Wednesday, February 12th, 2014. Expo and Live Ballot vote.
PROPOSAL FORMAT
(Help us process your proposal by following our formatting order and guidelines.)
Cover Page - use the provided form (also available for download as a MS Word Template here:
http://www.cfrrr.org/make-a-charitable-impact/current-funds/women-and-girls-fund ) for your
proposal cover page and provide all requested information.
Proposal Narrative - The proposal should include a typed narrative in 12-point font, single spaced with
one-inch margins. The entire proposal must not exceed 2,000 words. The following components should
be included in this order:
1. Organizational Description - Briefly describe the history and current activities of your
organization, including your mission, founding date, major programs and links with other
organizations (not to exceed 400 words).
Sample: The Community Foundation began in 1997 when visionary local leaders took action to bring this
winning model for building charitable assets to our community. Our mission is to promote greater
philanthropy by addressing challenges faced by the donor in a responsible and knowledgeable manner.
We have 102 funds, including 35 scholarship funds for local seniors. Signature programs include Youth in
Philanthropy and the Women and Girls Fund.
2. Proposal Details - Please answer the following questions in detail:
a. What is the need that your program/project addresses?
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b. How will you identify the target population (recruitment of girls and women) for your
program or project?
c. What are you proposing to do (set of activities, details of the program) to meet the
identified need(s)?
d. How will you sustain this program/project once the requested grant is expended is
gone?
e. Indicators- To the extent possible, detail how you will measure the effectiveness of this
grant. (Refer to Social Change Goals, above.)
Budget - Attach a budget narrative in which you:
1) Provide appropriate itemization.
2) Address any budget items that require clarification.
Please note: This budget should reflect the cost of the proposed program/project and should not be an
overall agency budget.
Applicants will receive confirmation of the receipt of their application and will be notified in writing
regarding the outcome of their proposals. All decisions of The Women and Girls Fund will be final and all
materials submitted for consideration will become property of The Fund and will not be returned to
applicants.
Final - October 7, 2013
COVER PAGE
Amount Requested:
Project Timeline -
Start date:
End date:
Federal Exempt (501 c 3) ID Number:
Project Title:
Population/s Served by the Proposed Program/Project
Geographic Area/s:
Communities served:
Organizational Information
Organization Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Fax:
Name of Key Contact for Organization
Name:
Phone:
Mailing Address, if different:
E-mail:
Name of Person with Primary Responsibility for Proposed Project
Name:
Phone:
Mailing Address, if different:
E-mail:
Person Authorized to Execute on Behalf of Applicant Organization
Name and Title:
Organization, if different:
Signature:
Date:
Please make note of these Women & Girls Fund grantee expectations:
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Applicants may be asked to participate in a site visit and/or present their project to the
membership of the Women and Girls Fund.
Grantees will be expected to submit periodic progress report and financial reports.
Grantees may be asked to formally present project outcomes at the close of a funded project.
Final - October 7, 2013