Women’s Fund of Rhode Island Accepting Grant Applications

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (January 14, 2020) — Women’s Fund of Rhode Island will be accepting grant applications for 2020-2021 from January 17 to March 20, 2020. A total of $60,000 is available this year, an increase of $10,000 over previous years. The grants are intended for projects and initiatives that use a “gender lens” to focus on the unique needs of women and girls and provide gender-specific solutions to problems they face in Rhode Island.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island (WFRI) grant program recognizes that many of society’s problems have a greater impact on women and girls. There is an undeniable correlation between poverty, low self-esteem, poor health and inadequate healthcare, job access and wages, domestic violence, sexual assault, and being female.

Women’s Fund prefers to fund projects that are likely to have a broad impact, such as advocacy for changes in law and public policy or “train the trainer” programs that have a reach beyond those participating in the program.

“Funding last year included technical support for a Coalition working on reproductive access and freedom, research on sexual harassment in entertainment venues, and training high school students to teach their fellow students about the concept of consent in relationships,” said Kelly Nevins, Executive Director of Women’s Fund of Rhode Island. “In each case, the work we funded amplified voices from the community and was used to make positive change for groups of people beyond the specific participants in each program.”

Ongoing priorities include: civic engagement and leadership; economic self-sufficiency and justice, particularly fair/equal pay and increased/living wages; political representation; women and girls health and wellbeing, particularly access to reproductive health and/or freedom from sexual harassment; and educational advancement.

Proposed projects must demonstrate a potential to address the root causes of problems and have an impact on societal attitudes or behaviors. Projects should effect lasting positive changes for women and girls, empowering them to challenge the status quo and participate fully in social, political, and economic opportunities.

Eligible organizations include nonprofits and groups sponsored by nonprofits, government-funded schools, and eligible organizations that serve women and girls in Rhode Island. Federal, state, and city agencies as well as for-profit businesses and faith-based organizations are not eligible.

Funds will become available in October, so proposals should reflect this timeline.

Also, this year, WFRI is now pleased to offer two-year grants that do not require a reapplication process. Projects must be for the same or similar projects in the second year and the organization must meet reporting and outcome benchmarks at the end of the first year in order to qualify for the second round of funding.

Prospective applicants who are unsure if their idea is a fit for Women’s Fund of Rhode Island are invited to participate in a conference call. These calls are scheduled for:

• January 22, 2020, at 3 p.m.
• February 19, 2020, at 11 a.m.

Calls may be accessed by dialing 1-712-451-0200 and PIN: 189687. You may also reach out to us via email at info@wfri.org or phone us at 401-262-5657 any time during the application period with your questions.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island
Women’s Fund of Rhode Island is a non-profit organization located in Providence, Rhode Island.  The mission of WFRI is to invest in women and girls in our community through research, advocacy, grant making and strategic partnerships designed to advance gender equity through systemic change. For more information, visit wfri.org.

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