2025 GRANT CYCLE NOW OPEN

GRANT DEADLINE: AUGUST 25, 2025

At the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley (WFGV), our mission is to amplify the voices of all women and girls in the Greater Rochester Area by breaking down barriers to success through equitable philanthropy and transformative community partnerships. We envision a future where all women and girls are recognized, consulted, and regarded as the ultimate stakeholders in their futures and as change agents in our community. To achieve this, we are committed to advocating for women and girls through fundraising, educational programming, research, and equitable grantmaking. We actively partner with those we support and collaborate with community agencies, foundations, and corporations. With a passion for service and a commitment to excellence, we strive to put our community first and lead by example. We are dedicated to delivering measurable results, promoting meaningful social change, and making a lasting difference in the lives of women and girls impacted by poverty.

Our Funding Priorities:

Equitable Philanthropy: We fund initiatives that intentionally work to dismantle systemic barriers in traditional philanthropic models. This includes increasing access to funding for historically underrepresented or under-resourced communities, supporting organizations led by women and girls, and promoting inclusive philanthropic practices that center equity, transparency, and community voice in funding decisions.

Transformative Community Partnerships: We support collaborative efforts between nonprofits, grassroots organizations, schools, businesses, or government entities that work together to achieve lasting change in the lives of women and girls. These partnerships must go beyond transactional relationships and instead focus on shared power, mutual accountability, and co-created solutions that address root causes of inequality and economic challenges.

Amplifying the Voices of Women and Girls: We invest in programs and initiatives that elevate the lived experiences, leadership, and narratives of women and girls. It includes advocacy efforts, storytelling projects, civic engagement training, policy influence, and leadership/professional development programs that ensure women and girls are heard, seen, and activated to lead.

All programs submitted must align with the mission, vision, and at least one of the priorities stated above. 

Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley Grants Information Session (virtual/Zoom):

Join us to learn more about the Women's Foundation of Genesee Valley’s upcoming grant opportunity, including eligibility requirements and key application details. Attendance is not required, but highly encouraged, as a recording will not be made available after the session.

Date: July 16, 2025

Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Eligibility Questionnaire:

Please complete the following questionnaire to determine whether your organization meets the eligibility criteria for the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley Grant. If you answer “No” to one or more questions below, your organization is not eligible to apply at this time. However, if you have questions regarding your eligibility, please contact us at [grants@womensfoundation.org].

Eligibility Questions:

  1. Does your organization have an active IRS Determination Letter confirming its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status?

    Note: If you answered “No” to the question above, you may still apply if your response is “Yes” to the following question.

  2. If your organization does not have 501(c)(3) status, will you be applying through a fiscal sponsor that does hold said status?

  3. Can your organization or your fiscal sponsor provide its most recent IRS Form 990 tax filing?

  4. Has your organization or fiscal sponsor been in operation for at least two (2) years?

  5. Does your organization or program demonstrate a clear alignment with at least one of WFGV’s funding priorities, with the ability to provide specific evidence and/or outcomes reflecting this commitment?

  6. Can your organization or fiscal sponsor provide a recent Financial Review or Audit conducted by an independent third party?

  7. Is your program located in, and serve women and girls residing within, at least one of the seven counties that make up our service region: Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Genesee, Orleans, Yates, and/or Livingston County.

Grant Proposal Checklist:

  • A one-page cover letter that includes the following:

    • Organization name, address, and primary contact information

    • Tax Identification Number (TIN)

    • Brief introduction of your organization’s mission and the services you offer

    • Program name and requested amount

    • If you are applying through a fiscal sponsor, please include your sponsor’s information in addition to your own.

  • IRS Determination Letter within includes your Tax ID Number (TIN)

  • Board of Directors, Staff List, and Program Budget (*All located within the provided excel sheet)

  • Most Recently Completed Audited Financial Statements or Financial Review

  • Most Recently Completed 990 Tax Filing

  • If applying through a fiscal sponsor, you are required to provide all documentation listed above on behalf of the sponsoring organization.

Grant FAQ’s

Grant Deadline?

AUGUST 25, 2025

How much can WE apply for?

How long is the grant period?

What and who are not eligible for funding?


What follow-up is required after a grant has been awarded?

Up to $50,000.

One (1) year.

The Women’s Foundation does not make grants to individuals or endowments or for religious or political purposes, nor does it fund any capital expenses, for profit businesses, or occupancy. The Women’s Foundation does not award education scholarships to individuals.

Limited equipment expenses will be considered, but only if equipment expense is directly related to program provision, and not for administrative or organizational staff purposes.

The Women’s Foundation may request a site visit and/or additional information at any time after the grant has been awarded. All grantees are expected to monitor their projects closely. At the end of your project, we require that a written final report be submitted following your grant implementation year. This report should assess outcomes vs. objectives and how outcomes link to economic self-sufficiency. Final reports are required in order to remain eligible for future grants. 

Please note: Incomplete applications/proposals will NOT be reviewed.

You may email your grant proposal questions to grants@womensfoundation.org.