Women's Giving Circle Grants

The Women's Giving Circle Grants are offered through the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan to support issues important to women in northeast Michigan. The Women's Giving Circle was established in late 2006 as an endowed fund, and its purpose is to create a permanent source of grantmaking for women and communities in the region. The fund is supported by women and men from Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties and beyond who want to make a lasting difference. Because the fund is endowed, the principal is preserved and invested, allowing annual grantmaking to continue over time. The grant program supports projects and programs that address issues important to women in northeast Michigan. The source material does not provide a narrow list of allowable project types, but the previous award list shows a broad range of funded activities, including food assistance, youth development, arts programming, senior services, wellness, skilled trades exploration for women, shelter-related needs, and community services. The funder states that as the endowed fund grows, the annual amount available for grants also grows, indicating that awards are tied to the fund's available annual distribution. Eligible applicants include community nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS designation, churches, schools, and government agencies. The geographic service area identified for the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan grant opportunities is programs serving Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties in Michigan. The source does not state that individuals, for-profit entities, or organizations outside the service area may apply. The source also does not state a required match or cost share, so no matching requirement is identified from the available information. Applications must be submitted through the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan's Online Grants Portal. Applicants are instructed to visit the portal, follow the landing page instructions to create an account, and begin applying for grants. If an applicant is applying through an organization or school that already has an account with the Community Foundation, the applicant should contact the Program Department to be added as a user under that existing organization or school account. The source states that tutorials are included in the portal and that applicants may contact the office with questions. The annual application deadline is July 1. No separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or notice of intent requirement is stated in the available source material. The source does not list specific application questions or required uploads for the WGC grant application. The review process is described as member-driven: members of the Women's Giving Circle who have donated at least $10 may volunteer to serve on the WGC grant review committee. The committee reviews all grant applications and makes recommendations to the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan's board of directors. All grant awards must be approved by the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan's board of directors before they are final. Grant awardees are notified of their awards by late September. Additional committee timing information states that WGC committee responsibilities include reviewing annual grant applications online in late July and attending an in-person or virtual committee meeting in early to mid-August to discuss and determine final recommendations. Contact information available from the source includes the Community Foundation office phone number, 1-877-354-6881, and Christine Hitch at chitch@cfnem.org for WGC grant screening committee volunteer matters.

Use the Online Grants Portal; contact the Program Department if applying under an existing organization or school account; align the request with issues important to women in northeast Michigan; ensure the project serves Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, or Presque Isle counties; submit by July 1