WIPCSRA Grants

The 2022-2023 Application will open September 7, 2022.

The purpose of Women in Philanthropy is to award grants to fund programs and projects that have the potential for high impact, resulting in significant positive change, in the lives of women, girls and/or children in Aiken, Burke, Columbia, McDuffie, Richmond and Edgefield Counties.

The Grant Information Session will be available via video on September 7, 2022.

Grant seekers are REQUIRED to watch this session in order to be eligible to receive a grant.

Friday, October 28 2022 at 4pm

Women in Philanthropy of the Central Savannah River Area (WIPCSRA) is a women’s philanthropic organization that services Aiken, Burke, Columbia, Edgefield, McDuffie, and Richmond counties. Funding for grants is made available through the annual donations of WIPCSRA members. Grants are awarded once a year in March and selection is based on the cumulative voting of the entire WIPCSRA membership.

WIPCSRA awards grants to fund programs and projects that have the potential for high impact resulting in significant positive change in the lives of women, girls and/or children.

We welcome grant requests from non-profit, 501(c)(3) agencies located within the CSRA serving women, girls and/or children.

WIPCSRA members believe that a resilient community requires robust programs and services in a variety of areas.

WIPCSRA seeks to fund grants in the following targeted areas:

SOCIAL WELL-BEING:

WIPCSRA seeks to address inequities within our community by supporting projects that address every individual’s need for food, clothing, shelter and safety as well as projects that address underlying social problems.

Eligibility for Funding

Applicants must qualify as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be classified as a unit of government.

Organizations must have a location and provide services in one or more of the following counties: Aiken, Burke, Columbia, Edgefield, McDuffie, and Richmond counties.

Organizations must not discriminate on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious beliefs.

Each organization may submit only one application per year. Organizations are not eligible to apply for grants in consecutive years.

While faith-based organizations are eligible to apply, projects promoting religious beliefs or requiring participation in religious activities will not be funded.

Organizations must demonstrate financial stability.

Funding Priorities

Women in Philanthropy CSRA is committed to awarding grants that have the potential for high impact and significant positive change in the CSRA. WIPCSRA gives priority to projects that:

1. Focus on one of the WIPCSRA funding areas:
• Arts
• Education
• Health
• Social Well-Being
2. Address a community need, an emerging community need, and/or provide a new, creative approach to a community need.
3. Offer opportunities for collaboration and foster partnerships, as well as leverage other funding sources.
4. Demonstrate the ability to achieve measurable results. Priority will be given to a project/organization demonstrating high probability of sustainability beyond the grant period.
5. Clearly reflect how the grant funds will be used to accomplish the outlined goals and objectives.
6. Will positively affect the lives of women and/or children.
7. Develop competencies and skills enabling women to live fuller, more productive lives.
8. Address a significant need affecting a broad segment of women and/or children.
9. Promote the cooperation of two or more agencies to avoid duplication of services and coordinate resources and programs.
10. Demonstrate the capacity to provide the necessary services using good administrative and financial management.
11. Promote systems or approaches which can prevent individual, family, or community problems.

Instructions

Areas Generally Not Funded

WIPCSRA does NOT provide funding for:

• Capital and endowment campaigns
• Travel and conferences
• Projects promoting religious or political views
• Fraternal organizations
• Organizations for re-granting purposes
• Core operating expenses for public and private schools
• Projects already completed or will be completed in the current calendar year
• Any agency that received a grant for the previous year

HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT

1. Review WIPCSRA Grant Guidelines.
2. All applicants must view the Grant Information Session in its entirety before submitting an application.
3.  Determine if your organization is eligible to compete for funds and if there is a fit between your organization and the interests of WIPCSRA.
4. Prepare and/or compile organizational documents, to include:
• Evidence of Tax-Exempt Status: Provide a copy of the organization’s current IRS determination letter indicating its tax-exempt status.
• Financial documents: Provide Proposed Project Budget using WIPCSRA budget template, most recently filed Form 990, current audit or internally prepared financial statements for the past three (3) years plus Organizational Budget for the current fiscal year (use WIPCSRA budget template or your own spreadsheet).
• Current Funding Sources: List of organizations, corporations, and foundations your organization is seeking funding from for the project with the status of each request.
• Current Board of Directors: List board members and their work/community affiliations.
• Key Staff: Provide a one paragraph description of key staff, including qualifications relevant to this grant application and length of employment.
5. Complete the WIPCSRA Grant Application

Please do not include any supplementary material with your application other than what is requested.

1. WIPCSRA may request additional information on a case-by-case basis in the form of annual reports, evaluation studies, and support letters.
2. Complete and submit the on-line application no later than the date posted. Only on-line applications will be accepted; paper applications will not be accepted.
3. Chosen organizations may receive a site visit from WIPCSRA members in January. Your organization will be notified in advance. The objective of a site visit is to conduct a general due diligence review and to resolve any outstanding questions after members review the Full Grant Application.
4. WIPCSRA will not accept applications after the deadline.
5. Organizations will be notified in early February if they are being placed on the membership ballot for grant consideration.
6. Grants are awarded based on a formal vote of the WIPCSRA membership in early March.
7. Organizations will be notified in March if they have been selected to receive a grant.
8. Representatives from each organization accepted for a grant will attend the Annual Luncheon in late March.

For questions, please contact us.