
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:
ARTS:
WIPCSRA seeks to strengthen our community through the arts by supporting projects that promote the creation of, access to, and appreciation for the arts as well as programs that incorporate the arts as a part of a multidisciplinary teaching program.
EDUCATION:
WIPCSRA promotes lifelong learning by supporting projects that educate individuals in how to cultivate a productive life from early childhood through higher education as well as projects providing for teacher development, access to quality educational programs, and job training.
HEALTH:
WIPCSRA seeks to improve the overall health of the community by supporting projects that promote health, wellness and access to high quality healthcare for everyone, as well as projects that assist individuals in changing or avoiding unhealthy lifestyles or behaviors.
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.
Grant Process
Each year, WIPCSRA will award grants targeted in one of our 4 focus areas: Arts, Education, Health, and Social Well-Being. Based on WIPCSRA members’ votes, the top-ranked grant requests will be awarded.
The Grants Review Committee, composed of all members who wish to serve, researches each organization requesting a grant. The grant-making process is thorough and participative.
The Grants Review Committee selects, from the community organizations meeting the criteria, those to receive site visits. Site visits typically take place in January. Applicants are expected to be accommodating to Committee Members making the site visit.
The Grants Review Committee selects the organizations to be placed on the ballot presented to the membership for their vote.
Ballot finalists are expected to attend a session to make a 3-minute video to explain their project. This video will allow all members to gain a better understanding of the grants on the final ballot.
Every member of WIPCSRA votes by ranking the proposals listed on the ballot.
Every organization funded will be expected to send a representative to the Annual Luncheon. The organization will also be required to file a final report.
Every organization receiving a grant is required to participate in an evaluation process and account for grant expenses upon project completion or by a date specified by WIPCSRA. A portion (10%) of each grant awarded will be held in reserve contingent upon receipt of a timely and completed final report.
Any funds not spent for the approved purposes within the dates specified must be returned to WIPCSRA.

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:
- Focus on one of the WIPCSRA funding areas:
- Arts
- Education
- Health
- Social Well-Being
- Address a community need, an emerging community need, and/or provide a new, creative approach to a community need.
- Offer opportunities for collaboration and foster partnerships, as well as leverage other funding sources.
- Demonstrate the ability to achieve measurable results. Priority will be given to a project/organization demonstrating high probability of sustainability beyond the grant period.
- Clearly reflect how the grant funds will be used to accomplish the outlined goals and objectives.
- Will positively affect the lives of women and/or children.
- Develop competencies and skills enabling women to live fuller, more productive lives.
- Address a significant need affecting a broad segment of women and/or children.
- Promote the cooperation of two or more agencies to avoid duplication of services and coordinate resources and programs.
- Demonstrate the capacity to provide the necessary services using good administrative and financial management.
- 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
- Review WIPCSRA Grant Guidelines.
- All applicants must view the Grant Information Session in its entirety before submitting an application.
- Determine if your organization is eligible to compete for funds and if there is a fit between your organization and the interests of WIPCSRA.
- 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.
- Complete the WIPCSRA Grant Application
Please do not include any supplementary material with your application other than what is requested.
- WIPCSRA may request additional information on a case-by-case basis in the form of annual reports, evaluation studies, and support letters.
- 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.
- 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.
- WIPCSRA will not accept applications after the deadline.
- Organizations will be notified in early February if they are being placed on the membership ballot for grant consideration.
- Grants are awarded based on a formal vote of the WIPCSRA membership in early March.
- Organizations will be notified in March if they have been selected to receive a grant.
- Representatives from each organization accepted for a grant will attend the Annual Luncheon in late March.
For questions, please contact us.
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