Grants

How it Works

Grant recipient selection is a four-part process that includes completing required steps and information submissions.  We do not accept grant requests outside of this annual process. Organizations must apply under one of our three specified focus areas. We recognize that many organizations and projects can fit into more than one focus area, but applicants must choose only one of areas of focus for their proposal:

• Education: projects that further the educational process or improve access to education for children and/or adults
• Family: projects that strengthen and enhance the lives of children and families
• Health & Wellness: projects that improve the mental and/or physical well-being of people

• Each applicant must be invited to apply by a current Foundation member;
• Applicant must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a) public charity or affiliated with one;
• Applicant operation must be based in the Santa Clara or San Mateo Counties of the San Francisco Bay Area, or be a recognized local chapter of a state or national nonprofit serving this region;
• The program must be implemented and serve residents of these counties and all monies must be expended here;
• The project must be a new program, expansion of an existing program or may be a joint effort of several agencies;
• Use the full amount of 100 Women Charitable Foundation’s available grant; and
• Plan to expend the funds within 24 months. Preference will be given to projects that call for funds to be spent within 12 months.
• In addition, an organization must have been in operation at least 36 months prior to applying for a grant.

When applying, please keep in mind that actual grant amounts are not yet determined as they are subject to member contributions through the end of each calendar year. Therefore, your grant application should reflect your funding needs rather than a specific grant amount. For reference our 2009 grants were made in the amount of $31,500 each.

• General operating expenses or overhead
• Debt reduction or operational deficits
• Grants to individuals
• Endowment funding
• Interim or bridge funding
• Partisan, legislative, or political activity
• Projects of individual churches, religious organizations or bodies of worship
• Sporting, entertainment or art related activities

100 Women Charitable Foundation's Grant Making History

• In 2007, 137 members awarded three grants of $10,500 for a total of $31,500 in grants.
• In 2008, 264 members awarded three grants of $23,000 each and three grants of $2,000 each for a total of $75,000 in grants.
• In 2009, 404 members awarded three grants of $32,000 each, and three grants of $2,500 each for a total of $100,000 in grants.
• In 2010, 486 members awarded three impact grants of $43,000 each, and three investment grants of $5,000 each.