IWF Grant Guidelines
Overview
The Iowa Women's Foundation accepts grant proposals for its annual grant-giving cycle each spring. Applications are due May 28, 2010.
All applications for IWF funding must be specifically for women and/or girls in Iowa. Informal groups of women and/or girls, grassroots organizations and formal nonprofit organizations may apply for funding. IWF seeks to fund projects that go beyond the provision of direct services and address the underlying social issues that perpetuate inequality, abuse and poverty. Historically, grant awards range from $500 - $5,000.
Applications may be completed online. For more information about the Iowa Women's Foundation contact the IWF Office at 888.488.4293.
What are IWF’s Grant Areas?
IWF identified the following two areas of need for the 2010 Grant Cycle. Proposals are
due May 28, 2010. Approved projects will be funded in 2011.
The Grant Areas are:
1. Leadership development through mentoring and education.
2. Economic security through job training and skill-building.
Grant Area 1. Leadership development through mentoring and education:
To identify, develop and provide effective programs that cultivate leadership in Iowa women and/or girls.
Grant Area 2. economic security through job training and skill-building:
Women in Iowa face challenges of possible job loss, pay inequity and underemployment. IWF seeks proposals that assist women and girls to be better prepared to attain new employment opportunities as they become available. These projects could provide training or assistance related to training for non-traditional work areas such as construction, technology and transportation. IWF is also seeking projects that open doors in traditional job areas such as health care or education as long as there is support for career laddering. We encourage applications that reach teens, rural women and displaced homemakers and/or involve multi-sectoral partnerships.
IWF has formed a strategic partnership with the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, a division of the Iowa Department of Human Rights, to build the support needed to effect positive social change for Iowa women and girls. Please reference the Iowa Department of Human Rights 2010 Legislative Agenda (www.women.iowa.gov/policy) for more information regarding their legislative efforts.
Who is eligible to receive an IWF grant?
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations or grassroots groups serving women and girls in Iowa.
What types of projects receive funding?
The Foundation seeks proposals for projects that address the following issues:
- Advocate on issues that lead to long-term change for women and girls
- Employ strategies designed to address systemic causes of abuse, inequality and poverty
- Address activities that enable women and/or girls as a group to achieve economic self-sufficiency
- Offer strategies that develop positive self-images for young and adolescent girls
- Promote prevention and early intervention and enrichment activities
- Are creative, innovative and new to the community they serve in Iowa
- Increase the range of choices and expand opportunities for women and girls
- Activities that work toward the elimination of discrimination
- Have a strong possibility for replication, or benefiting other service providers addressing the same clients or similar needs
- Promote the interconnectedness of issues across states, regions, or countries between the women in Iowa and the global world
What types of projects are NOT eligible for funding?
- Existing or new endowment funds
- Capital projects such as the acquisition of land, buildings, and major equipment; or the construction or renovation of facilities
- Research or medical projects
- Reimbursement for previously incurred expenses
- Educational scholarships
- Political campaigns for candidates
- Promotion of religious activities
- Activities inconsistent with federal, state, and local non-discrimination ordinances regarding equal employment opportunity