2023 Grant Cycle

• General operating and project-specific proposals accepted.
• One-time grant up to $10,000
• Deadline: May 3, 2023, 11:59 PM

Apply online using the Montana Community Foundation grant portal. Read about our 2023 grant cycle focus, eligibility, and criteria below.

Our Focus

All applicants must serve women and their families in Montana communities and align with WFM's vision, mission, values, and our goal of advancing gender, racial, and economic equity. We are most interested in projects that directly improve the ability of women and girls to become economically secure. We have three focus areas for grantmaking: wealth and asset building; strong families; and leadership development. Each focus area listed below includes example strategies and previous grantees that could be aligned in that category.

1. Wealth and Asset Building

Includes strategies that:

• improve access to jobs with pay and benefits that support economic security;
• increase education and training opportunities;
• increase access to capital.

Previous grantee examples: Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition; W.E.L.L. Women's Business Center; Montana Native Growth Fund

2. Strong Families

Includes strategies that:

• strengthen the social safety net and increase access to basic needs (including direct cash assistance);
• end gender-based violence;
• increase childcare access and support for caregivers;
• increase access to quality, affordable healthcare (including gender-affirming care, abortion access, and maternal healthcare).

Previous grantee examples: Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence; National Indigenous Women's Resource Center; Susan Wicklund Fund

3. Leadership Development

Increase strategies that:

• increase the political participation of women;
• build women's and girls' leadership skills.

Previous grantee examples: Montana Women Vote; Thrive; Planned Parenthood

Eligibility

Who can apply for a general operating grant?

• 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organizations serving women and/or girls in Montana.
• Unincorporated organizations, groups, and initiatives may apply but must have a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor.
• WFM will consider requests from organizations with a demonstrated commitment to advancing the economic security of women and creating a brighter future for girls. Organizations must have an established culture of collaboration, strategic direction, and diverse funding sources.
• Organizations ineligible for general operating support: Religious organizations, PK-12 and postsecondary schools.

Who can apply for a project-specific grant?

• Nonprofit organizations (501(c)3 organizations and 501(c)4 non-partisan projects), American Indian Nations, PK-12 and postsecondary schools, local government, and other tax-exempt organizations serving women and/or girls in Montana.
• Unincorporated organizations, groups, and initiatives may apply but must have a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor.
• Faith-based organizations are eligible to receive grants. Funds cannot be used for proselytizing or promoting religious beliefs. Funds also cannot be used for programs that require participants or beneficiaries to adhere to, hold, or express a general or particular religious belief.
• Organizations that do not limit or oppose individuals' rights to self-determination.

Grant Criteria

WFM values leadership; inclusion and equity; collaboration and accountability; and creating a culture of giving. Read more about WFM's Core Values here.

The WFM Advisory Committee will consider proposals based on the criteria listed below. The committee will use a weighted scoring model, prioritizing program first followed by communities served and leadership, soundness, and collaboration.

PROGRAM

1. Will the proposed work advance the economic security of women and/or create a brighter future for girls?
2. Will the proposed work build concrete lasting economic power for women?
3. Does the group understand the root causes and underlying power dynamics of the identified need or problem?
4. Are the goals clear and objectives clear and measurable?
5. Are the goals and objectives achievable? Is the work plan feasible?

COMMUNITIES SERVED AND LEADERSHIP

1. Does the organization work primarily with women?
2. Does the organization understand how gender intersects with other identities (race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, ability, age, ect.) to contribute to unique experiences?
3. Does the organization’s leadership reflect and represent the communities the organization serves?
4. Does the organization include members of communities served in the decision-making process?

ORGANIZATIONAL SOUNDNESS

1. Does the organization have the internal capacity and systems to sustain it as a strong, lasting organization?
2. Does the organization have a track record of success in meeting its goals?
3. Does the organization have a clear and specific sense of its mission?
4. Is there an active Board of Directors or Steering Committee?
5. Are the organization’s sources of revenue diverse and stable? Or does the organization have a good plan for soliciting diverse and stable revenue sources?

COLLABORATION

1. Does the organization demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and partnership as an approach to advancing gender equity?
2. Do the organization’s collaborative relationships cross issue and constituency boundaries?

For general operating applicants: Does the organization have a demonstrated commitment to advancing the economic security of women and creating a brighter future for girls? Organizations must have an established culture of collaboration, strategic direction, and diverse funding sources.

Special consideration will be given to organizations led by (WFM will consider both board and staff leadership) and serving Indigenous women as well as organizations based in and serving women in rural communities.