EVENTS  |  NEWS  |  HOME

EVENTS  |  NEWS  |  HOME

Grantmaking at the Women’s Fund SouthCoast

Grantmaking at Women’s Fund SouthCoast

We don’t just fund programs. We share power.


For more than 26 years, Women’s Fund SouthCoast has invested in community-rooted organizations advancing gender, racial, and economic justice.


Our grantmaking supports the people and organizations closest to the challenges—and helps strengthen the broader ecosystem working for long-term change.

Annual Community Grant Cycle


Our annual grant cycle supports organizations advancing gender, racial, and economic justice across the SouthCoast.
Community members and nonprofit leaders participate in the review process, helping ensure funding decisions reflect local knowledge and priorities.

Learn More About Future Funding Opportunities

Youth-Led Grantmaking


Through the Young Women’s Initiative, participants identify community priorities, review proposals, and decide how philanthropic resources should be invested.


In FY26, young philanthropists directed $20,000 to four community organizations.

Learn About Young Women’s Initiative

Sponsorship and Innovation Fund


The Sponsorship and Innovation Fund provides smaller, responsive investments for emerging ideas, community education, events, and opportunities that fall outside our annual grant cycle.

Learn About The Sponsorship and Innovation Fund

Participatory Philanthropy

The people affected by funding decisions should have a role in making them.


Our approach is rooted in trust, shared decision-making, and community expertise.


We engage community members in grant review, give young people meaningful control over philanthropic resources, and prioritize relationships that extend beyond a single grant.


Our goal is simple: direct funding with communities,
not simply to them.

Beyond the Grant

Strong movements need strong organizations.


Our support extends beyond grant dollars.



We connect grantee partners to:


  • Peer learning and regional relationships
  • Professional development and technical assistance
  • Funders, community leaders, and broader networks
  • Research, advocacy, and opportunities to elevate their expertise


These investments help strengthen a more connected and resilient nonprofit ecosystem across the SouthCoast.

Community Investment at Work

$120,600

invested in FY26

$95,000

Annual community grant cycle

$20,000

Youth-led grantmaking

$9,600

Step Further Fund
Different organizations. Distinct goals. One interconnected vision for justice.

Meet Our Current Grantees

Each year, we fund a dynamic cohort of organizations leading change in our communities. Scroll down to explore our most recent grantees and the transformative work they’re doing across the SouthCoast.

Expanding on our multi-year investments, this funding will continue to ensure that the New Bedford Clinic is able to provide an additional day of sexual and reproductive health services. They are the only provider of medication abortion in the region and just opened up the first procedural clinic in Wareham.
Website
The 2026 Young Women’s Advisory Council recommended this award through a participatory youth grantmaking process to provide general operating support in recognition of The Women’s Center’s work on safety and gender-based violence.
Website
The 2026 Young Women’s Advisory Council recommended this award through a participatory youth grantmaking process to provide general operating support in recognition of The New Bedford Light’s work on media justice.
Website
This funding will support Mass NOW’s efforts to address period poverty in Fall River and New Bedford by increasing the distribution of free menstrual products to community agencies and direct service providers.
Website
Expanding on FY26 funding for the Condina Savings Circle, this investment will continue to provide support to a New Bedford-based savings circle that allows immigrant women to collectively pool resources as a means to jointly save funds that allow them to reach a tangible financial goal of their choosing.
Website
The 2026 Young Women’s Advisory Council recommended this award through a participatory youth grantmaking process to provide general operating support in recognition of Mujeres Victoriosas’ work on family separation and youth impact.
Website
The 2026 Young Women’s Advisory Council recommended this award through a participatory youth grantmaking process to provide general operating support in recognition of CAEL’s work with language justice.
Website
This funding will support low-income women and gender expansive individuals who are survivors of financial abuse and coerced debt by providing legal services via South Coastal Counties Legal Services to get the debt removed.
Website
Expanding on FY26 funding to support both the Good Vibes Tribe and the Salty Moms group, this investment will continue to empower young women with disabilities and their mothers to use surfing instruction as a means of growing leadership and community.
Website
Expanding on FY26 funding for the Girls Rule Creative Careers Program, the grant will continue to provide young women across New Bedford with creative opportunities that empower and inspire them to advance careers and leadership positions in the arts and humanities.
Website

Future Grant Opportunities

Women’s Fund SouthCoast offers several pathways for community investment throughout the year.


Our annual community grant cycle is typically announced each February, with additional opportunities available through youth-led grantmaking and the Sponsorship and Innovation Fund.
In general, applicants should:

  • Serve communities within the Women’s Fund SouthCoast service area
  • Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or work with an eligible fiscal sponsor
  • Align with our mission to advance gender, racial, and economic justice

Questions?
Audrey Straw, Research & Impact Manager

Email Audrey

Invest Locally. Build What Comes Next.

Every grant strengthens the people and organizations already working to make the SouthCoast more equitable.

Women, Power, and the Future of Democracy

National voices. Local leadership. The next generation.

Join Us!

Name

Join Us!

We’ll send you updates – and never share your information.

Name

Get news from Women’s Fund SouthCoast in your inbox.

[ctct form=”738″ show_title=”false”]