Women’s Impact Fund
Contact information:
220 North Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704-707-4292
Fax: 704-707-4284
Email: info@womensimpactfund.org
Website: http://www.womensimpactfund.org/
Type of foundation: Membership giving organization
Types of grants: Project, operating
Description: The Women’s Impact Fund makes grants to organizations based in and serving Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Since its inception in 2003, the fund has donated nearly $3 million to 39 organizations in Mecklenburg County.
The Fund seeks to make “high-impact” grants that bring a creative, substantive approach to a critical community need and/or that address an emerging community issue. The Fund makes operating grants as well as project grants. Grants are made in the areas of the arts, education, environment, health and human services. Every year, the Fund makes one grant in each priority giving area.
Sample grants:
- $100,000 to New Leaders for the CMS Resident and Principal Sponsorship project, which provides leadership training and a residency program to recruit, develop and support principals and other leaders in high-needs public schools. The grant supports New Leaders’ efforts to keep experienced leaders in our public schools (2012).
- $90,000 to the Levine Museum of the New South to launch The Latino New South, a new program creating a national model for using museums to foster the integration of immigrants into our community. This grant helps the Museum use the arts to address the challenges and opportunities presented by our rapidly growing population of Latino immigrants (2012).
- $85,000 to the Yadkin Riverkeeper for its Operation Medicine Cabinet, an integrated community-based program that partners the Yadkin Riverkeeper, Carolina Medical Center and law enforcement with the public by holding “take-back” pharmaceutical events throughout the community so the public can turn in unused prescription drugs to be disposed of in a safe manner (2011).
- $82,000 to American Forests for its Urban Ecosystem Analysis project, intended to equip Mecklenburg community leaders to make informed decisions about development and "smart" growth in the region (2009).
- $70,000 to the Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte to support the creation of a New Play Festival, "New Voices for a New Generation." This annual festival solicits and accepts new plays from emerging American playwrights (2011).
- $50,000 to Clean Air Carolina for Clear the Air for Kids!, an educational and advocacy campaign aimed at reducing children's exposure to dangerous school bus and car exhaust (2007).
Fit for public broadcasting: This funder is a fit for public media organizations based in and serving Mecklenburg County, NC. The Fund’s interests converge with several of public media’s focus areas (arts, education, health). Media outlets are positioned to bring unique resources to the work of making a difference in the community around the Fund’s priority areas. Projects that address literacy, dropout prevention and/or advance community engagement may be of interest.
Eligibility: Organizations must be located and provide services in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. (Agencies applying for an environmental grant may be based outside of Mecklenburg County, but must provide services within the County.) Applicants must have 501(c)(3) tax status or be classified as a unit of government. The Women’s Impact Fund does not make grants for: capital and endowment campaigns; re-granting purposes; travel and conferences; projects promoting religious or political views.
Deadline: The deadline for letters of inquiry is October 22, 2012.
How to apply: Interested applicants must submit an online letter of inquiry. Organizations may submit only one Letter of Inquiry per grant cycle. After reviewing the letters of inquiry, the Fund will invite up to 20 organizations to submit full proposals. A total of five organizations will receive grants (one in each program area). Stations may contact Susan Ehrman, Program Director, with questions (sehrman@womensimpactfund.org).
Giving range: $40,000 – $100,000
