Nationally, only 1.9% of philanthropic dollars go to organizations serving women and girls, and organizations serving women and girls of color receive just .5% of all foundation giving — that’s half a penny per dollar.
Women and girls of color in New Hampshire are thought leaders and problem-solvers, identifying community challenges and helping to design community-based solutions to local needs informed by their life experience. But they are still significantly under-resourced.
Equity and justice are part of New Hampshire Women’s Foundation’s core values, and we believe gender equity is inseparable from racial equity.
It is up to us to address the persistent inequities and systemic barriers within philanthropy. That’s why we are launching the Women and Girls of Color Fund.
The Women and Girls of Color Fund aims to reverse the historic and persistent underinvestment in women and girls of color. The Fund augments our existing grantmaking and provides low-barrier, faster turnaround grants to projects led by and serving women and girls of color in New Hampshire.
Because when women and girls of color in our state thrive, we all thrive.
We are grateful for the support of our advisors: Kile Adumene, Zib Corell, the Honorable Melanie Levesque, Rashida Mohamed, The Honorable Jackie Weatherspoon, Dan Weeks and Sindiso Mnisi Weeks.
Interested in applying?
Email our Director of Grantmaking, Lauren Wool, at:
Want to support this fund?
Donate online or contact Tanna Clews at:
FAQ
How does this differ from our Community Grantmaking program?
While organizations serving women and girls of color can always apply to any and all of our grantmaking programs, including our annual community grants program, the Women and Girls of Color Fund will provide smaller, quarterly grants to quickly jumpstart new ideas and solutions.
How will the program work?
Eligible organizations may apply for up to $2,000 to support projects which boost the ability of women and girls of color to build and strengthen community. (Note: Additional funds may be available on a case-by-case basis.) This funding is intended to serve as seed funding to establish or support projects which enhance racial justice and equity. Women and girls of color must have a significant role in planning and implementing the projects for which funding is sought, not simply serve as recipients of services. Types of projects may include peer support and mentoring, experiential learning projects, advocacy work, education initiatives and art projects related to racial equity, to name just a few.
QUARTERLY APPLICATION CYCLE
Applications will be short and straight-forward and accepted quarterly, with deadlines of January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 (first round of applications are due July 1, 2022). A conversation with the Director of Grantmaking prior to the application submission will ensure that we understand the project and applicant group well.
FAST TURNAROUND
Applications will be reviewed by a core group of reviewers, all with lived experience with racial disparity. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application within 4–6 weeks after submission, with funding to follow soon after. Eligible organizations may apply for up to two grants per year (once every 6 months) until funds are exhausted.
TELL US WHAT YOU LEARNED!
A final report will be required one year after funds are awarded. The final report may be in the form of a written report, a video, or other method which allows the grantee to “tell the story” of the project. The emphasis should be on what was learned during the project rather than seeing it from a perspective of pass/fail. Periodic check-ins during the year are also welcome.