Grant Application Guidelines

The mission of The Fund for Women and Girls of the Community Foundation is to support girls and the women who raise them. The Fund works to increase recognition of the special needs of girls and women through educational programming; promote giving by and for women and girls; and address the needs of the region’s girls and women with grants to effective programs focused on the most compelling issues confronting them.

The Fund’s Grants Program
The Fund for Women and Girls’ Grants Program is competitive, and designed to support programs that benefit girls and the women who raise them in Mercer County, New Jersey, and the immediately adjoining areas of surrounding counties. Grant applications are accepted once annually from tax­exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.

What we support
The Fund for Women and Girls makes one ­year grants of up to $10,000 each for projects that help girls ages 5 to 18 who reside in Greater Mercer attain success in their personal, academic, family and community lives. We believe that girls are best positioned for success when they enjoy good health and have positive feelings about themselves. It is also important that they have women to turn to for guidance and support, and a skill set to help them navigate life’s challenges. The Fund is also interested in projects that help women raising young girls to be positive role models and advocates for themselves and their girls, to be good caregivers, to transition from work, and to adopt healthy behaviors.

Projects will be funded that assist girls and the women who raise them by accomplishing one or more of the following:
· Increasing self confidence
· Developing leadership skills
· Building stronger bonds between girls and the women who raise them
· Providing positive female role models
· Providing mentoring
· Improving physical, mental, and/or emotional health
· Educating the public about key issues affecting Greater Mercer’s girls

Project activities may include counseling, education, health services, information, leadership development, mentoring, outreach, skill building, support groups, training, and/or other relevant interventions. Projects that involve special charges or fees will only be considered to provide assistance for low-­income participants.

What We Do Not Fund:
· Building renovations and new facility construction
· Capital and endowment campaigns and projects
· Fundraising appeals, events, and routine expenses of raising money
· Computer hardware and software
· Scholarships and individual sponsorships
· Field trips, unless part of a larger educational effort
· Sports activities, unless part of a larger educational effort
· Sponsorship of conventions
· Lobbying and other political activities
· Fraternal and religious activities
· Tax-­supported and government-­operated basic programs and services, such as core curricular school activities, and essential police and fire services
· Vehicle and other equipment purchases

Eligibility Criteria
Nonprofit organizations that have tax­exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service code are eligible for funding. In addition, nonprofit organizations must be registered with the State of New Jersey as a charity, unless they are religious organizations or schools that file their curricula with the Department of Education and are exempted from the provisions of the New Jersey Charitable Registration and Investigation Act. (For further information on New Jersey charitable registration go to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs) Nonprofits may apply for a grant from The Fund for Women and Girls regardless of whether they have applied for funding from the Community Foundation’s Greater Mercer Grants.

Nondiscrimination
The Fund for Women and Girls values projects that promote inclusiveness and that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or any other characteristics protected by law.

· How well the project fits with The Fund for Women and Girls grant guidelines
· The quality of the application (on time, complete, clearly written)
· Evidence that the organization will be able to accomplish the project
· Clear statement of the need for the project
· How well the project is planned
· How well the applicant has researched and understands what others have tried and what works best
· Involvement of the girls who will benefit from the project
· How success will be defined and measured
· Appropriate, realistic budget

Assistance with Preparing Applications
The Community Foundation offers Grant Information Sessions at its office, located at 15 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, New Jersey. These sessions walk participants through the grant guidelines and application forms, and provide an opportunity
to ask questions. Attendance is not required to apply for a grant.

Follow-­up Questions and Site Visits
Follow­-up questions from the Community Foundation and site visits by members of its staff and volunteer Grants Committee are a routine part of the application process.

How Grants Are Announced
The Community Foundation first notifies all applicants of its decisions by mail, then issues a press release to area media that identifies the organizations and projects awarded grants. Grantees are encouraged to publicize their awards themselves through press releases, newsletters, web sites, and annual reports, and to acknowledge Community Foundation support.

Use of Grant Money
Grant money must be used exclusively for the purposes and activities specified in the grant application. Grantees should notify the Community Foundation as soon as possible if their needs or circumstances change.

Reporting Requirements
Grantees are required to submit a brief six­ month narrative and budget reports on their projects.

Address All Proposals or Inquiries To:
Princeton Area Community Foundation
15 Princess Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Phone: 609-­219­-1800

Please do not fax or e­mail applications.