For over two decades, grantmaking has been central to our mission at the Women’s Fund SouthCoast.
It’s how we invest in bold ideas, build grassroots leadership, and advance gender, racial, and economic justice across our region.
But we don’t just fund programs — we share power.
Our Approach: Participatory Philanthropy in Action
We engage residents, youth, grassroots leaders, and grantee partners in every stage of our grantmaking. Our values show up in how we fund — and who decides.
- Community-led grant review committees
- Youth-led decision-making through YWI
- Support for BIPOC-led and grassroots organizations
- Transparent, accessible processes
- Relationship-building rooted in trust and equity
- Grantees are not “recipients” — they are partners in a shared movement.
We honor their leadership, trust their expertise, and walk alongside them as allies in the work for systemic change.
Beyond the Grant: Investing in Systems Change
We know movements need more than funding — they need support, strategy, and solidarity.
That’s why we provide:
Capacity-building and technical assistance
Peer learning and cohort convenings
Visibility, thought partnership, and amplification
Participatory in Practice
Our approach to participatory philanthropy is embedded in everything we do:
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.
We are pleased to announce our Fiscal Year 2027 Grantmaking Cycle
In FY27, we will award approximately $100,000 in grants to organizations advancing gender, racial, and economic justice across the SouthCoast region. We are proud to partner with mission-aligned nonprofits, grassroots leaders, and community builders working to dismantle structural inequities and expand opportunities for women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals.
We prioritize work led by and accountable to those most impacted by the issues addressed.
Funding Priorities:
We aim to fund organizations that fit into one or more of the following five priority areas:
- Civic Leadership & Collective Power: Funding for programs that build civic knowledge, leadership, and collective power among women, girls, and gender expansive individuals through civic education, youth leadership development, community organizing, storytelling, advocacy, and participation in democratic decision-making.
- Economic Empowerment & Justice: Funding for programs that advance economic security and justice by addressing structural barriers to financial stability and wealth-building, including workforce pathways, pay equity, access to resources and benefits, the care economy, and financial systems that disproportionately impact women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals.
- Education & Learning Equity: Funding for programs that advance educational equity for women, girls, and gender expansive individuals, including early education and care; K-12 and postsecondary access and success; and initiatives that address gendered and racialized disparities within the educational system.
- Health, Wellness, & Reproductive Justice: Funding for programs that promote and advocate for holistic health and wellness care, including for sexual and reproductive health, mental and behavioral health; trauma-informed healing; and access to culturally responsive, community-based care for women, girls, and gender expansive individuals.
- Safety, Justice, & Freedom from Violence: Funding for programs that prevent and respond to gender-based violence and harassment, strengthen community safety, advance survivor-centered justice, and address the systemic conditions that undermine safety, dignity, and bodily autonomy for women, girls, and gender expansive individuals.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for funding, your organization must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Provide programming in communities covered by our service area (See graphic at right)
- Have 501(c)(3) designation OR be fiscally-sponsored by another 501(c)(3) organization
- Demonstrate clear alignment with our mission to advance gender, racial, and economic justice.
- Have at least ONE identified project lead for the entirety of the grant cycle (July 1st – June 30th) OR demonstrated plans to recruit and retain one during the grant cycle.
Application Process:
This year, we have two separate applications, where applicants can apply for up to $25,000. If you are either a first time applicant or applying to fund a new program, please apply to our regular grant application. If you are looking to renew your grant for the same program as FY26, please submit a grant renewal application. The applications will open on March 2, 2026 and will close on April 1, 2026. Grants will be awarded in June.
On Thursday, March 5th at 12 PM, we will host an information session for applicants. Please sign-up for this session here.
To view frequently asked questions, please click here.
If you have any questions about our Grantmaking Program or encounter trouble with our online application, please email Audrey Straw, Research & Impact Manager, at astraw@womensfundsouthcoast.org and we will be happy to help!
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Want to Apply for a Future Grant?
We’re always excited to connect with mission-aligned organizations, grassroots leaders, and community builders.
Whether you’re interested in our core grant cycle, youth-led funding opportunities, or our new Step Further Fund, we invite you to learn more.
Our new grant cycle is announced each March.
To be eligible for funding, your organization must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Provide programming in communities covered by our service area (See graphic at right)
- Have 501(c)(3) certification OR be fiscally-sponsored by another 501(c)(3) organization operating on the SouthCoast.
- Have demonstrated organizational and programmatic mission-alignment. Our mission is to advance gender, racial and economic justice.
- Have at least ONE identified project lead for the entirety of the grant cycle (July 1st – June 30th) OR demonstrated plans to recruit and retain one during the grant cycle.
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In order to prepare for the submission of the grant, please see the grant applications and supporting materials below:
