The 2023-2024 Grant Application opens

                     September 6, 2023

       Deadline October 27, 2023 Noon.

Grant seekers are advised to listen to valuable information from our Grants Chair on the audio session below 

Grants are awarded once a year in March and selection is based on the cumulative voting of the entire WIPCSRA membership. The Grants Review Committee (GRANTS) is composed of all members who wish to serve. We research, analyze, and assess each organization’s grant request to determine community need, potential impact, fiscal responsibility, feasibility, and sustainability of each requesting organization. This decision-making process is thorough and participative.

GRANTS determines which organizations meet WIPCSRA criteria and are to receive further consideration in the form of a site visit between GRANTS and organization representatives.  Site visits typically take place the first week in January.  Applicants are expected to meet with GRANTS during this timeframe.

Upon completion of the site visits, GRANTS selects a slate of proposed organizations to be placed on the ballot presented to the entire membership for voting.  Every member of WIPCSRA votes by ranking the proposals listed on the ballot.

Ballot finalists are expected to send a representative to the WIPCSRA March Annual Awards Luncheon where your grant project will be highlighted.

Every Organization receiving a grant is required to participate in an evaluation process, file a final report accounting 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.

                                                                  GUIDELINES

                                                              Funding Eligibility:

Applicants must qualify as tax-exempt under section 501 ©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be classified as a unit of government.  Organizations must have a location, presence, and provide services in one or more of the following counties: Aiken, Burke, Columbia, Edgefield, McDuffie, and Richmond counties.

Organizations must not discriminate based on 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:

WIPCSRA is committed to awarding grants that have the potential for high impact and significant positive change in the lives of women and children in the CSRA.  We give priority to projects that:

1. Focus on one of the WIPCSRA funding areas:

       Arts, Education, Health, or Social Well-Being (A detailed description follows)

2. Address a community need, an emerging community need, and/or provide a new and 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.

                                                          Areas 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 WIPCSRA grant for the previous year

                                               Focus Areas Priorities:

Determine which ONE area aligns with your grant application.

ARTS:              

WIPCSRA seeks to strengthen our

community through the arts by

supporting projects that promote the

creation of and access to appreciation

for the arts and programs that incorporate the arts as 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,

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 problem.

For questions, please contact us.