Annual Grantmaking is a trust-based capacity-building grant from The Women's Fund of Central Ohio that funds nonprofits serving women and girls in Central Ohio across five priority areas: civic engagement and movement building, health and health education, leadership and empowerment, social safety net and care economy, and wealth building and career advancement.

The fund uses trust-based and participatory grantmaking frameworks, forming deep collaborative partnerships with grantees and connecting them to additional capacity-building opportunities. Eligible organizations work on programs focused on women's health, female leadership, career development, support for mothers, and combating gender-based discrimination. The 2026 LOI cycle is closed; the next cycle opens for 2027.

The deadline for the current cycle is July 15, 2026.

Grantmaking Process - The Women's Fund of Central Ohio Grants and Investments / Grantmaking Process We do philanthropy differently At The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio, our trust-based, capacity-building grants go beyond providing funding. We form deep, collaborative partnerships with grantees and connect them with other capacity-building opportunities.

We also strive to make our process as streamlined as possible so that grant partners can spend more time on their mission and less time on administrative hoops. Our 2026 LOI is now closed. Important Dates for 2027 Cycle Our Grantmaking Priorities Civic Engagement and Movement Building Women deserve equal political access, and their voices are crucial to moving society forward.

We fund organizations that give women and girls the tools to influence policy and advocate for change, including programs that support women running for office. Health and Health Education Access to comprehensive, medically accurate healthcare is at the foundation of a woman’s ability to be economically secure.

We fund organizations that expand access to contraception, provide medically accurate sex education, and deliver programming and services that help women understand and maintain autonomy over their own bodies. Leadership and Empowerment Women and girls already have what they need to become leaders. We fund organizations that help women and girls embrace their leadership potential and show up authentically as themselves.

We also fund organizations that provide mentorship and community for women and girls, especially women and girls of color. Social Safety Net and Care Economy Research shows that access to childcare, paid leave, and other social safety net benefits significantly impact a woman’s ability to build wealth.

We invest in organizations that are working on long-term solutions to these pressing issues so that women can lead economically secure lives. Wealth Building and Career Advancement A woman’s career and income are two of the biggest factors that contribute to her ability to build wealth. We fund organizations that offer unique solutions to closing the gender pay gap and help women succeed in their careers.

The Women’s Fund uses trust-based and participatory frameworks to guide our grantmaking process. Here’s what you can expect when you apply for a grant from us. After you submit a short LOI, our staff will review it for eligibility and alignment.

Selected applicants will proceed to the next step of the process. If you aren't selected, we will let you know and provide you with helpful feedback for the future. Organizations selected to proceed from the LOI process will be invited to submit a full application.

This link will be provided via email. We offer a virtual webinar and office hours before the application is due to answer questions about our application and process. All eligible applications are reviewed and scored by our Grant Readers on Community Grant Review Day .

We bring together hundreds of trained Grant Readers that are split into diverse groups. This ensures that every group has a variety of perspectives and backgrounds and leads to better decision making. Our staff compiles the scores from our Grant Readers.

Applications that score above a certain threshold are sent to our Grants Committee for review. Our Grants Committee is a group of past Grant Readers and Board Members. After Community Grant Review Day , they meet to discuss the top scoring applications and reach consensus regarding a slate of grants.

The agreed upon slate is then recommended to the Board for funding. Board Vote and Public Announcement The Board of Directors reviews the slate recommended by the Grants Committee and votes on the grants to be funded. As soon as the slate is approved, we will let you know about the status of your application.

We then make a public announcement and mail grant checks. important dates for applicants Letter of Intent (LOI) Opens July 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET Full Grant Application Opens If invited to apply, you will receive an email in late July with the link to the application.

Community Grant Review Day Application Opens Full Grant Application Due September 11, 2026 at 5 pm ET Community Grant Review Day In order to receive a grant from The Women’s Fund, an organization must: Be a 501(c)(3) organization or have a fiscal agent Serve women and girls in one or more Central Ohio counties (Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union) Align with our grantmaking priorities Address at least one of the five shifts of social change Apply a gender lens and disrupt gender norms Funds cannot be used for: Organizations that are not welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQIA+ individuals Organizations that restrict reproductive rights Programs that promote religious beliefs and activities Political campaigns or promotion of candidates for public office Advancement of capital or endowment campaigns Fundraising event sponsorship Scholarships for individuals Co-ed programs that do not have a disproportionate positive impact on women and girls The Women's Fund finds and funds the most innovative organizations creating social change for women and girls.

Learn more about our past grantees. Frequently Asked Questions Please see the eligibility requirements above. Can I apply if I am not a 501(c)(3) organization?

If you are not a 501(c)(3) organization, you must have a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3) in order to apply. A fiscal agent is another organization that has 501(c)(3) status that takes on the financial risk and responsibility for your program or organization.

If you are applying with a fiscal agent, you will need to upload a signed letter on the fiscal agent’s letterhead confirming their agreement to serve as a fiscal agent for your program when you apply. Does The Women’s Fund provide funds to women-owned businesses? No. Currently, The Women’s Fund is not able to provide funds to for-profit businesses.

Does The Women’s Fund provide grants or loans to individuals? No. The Women’s Fund is not able to provide funds to individuals. How much can I apply for?

The maximum you can apply for is $20,000. Can I apply for two different programs at the same organization? Yes.

You can apply for two different programs at the same organization by submitting two separate applications. The applications will be reviewed and scored completely independent of each other. What happens if my program changes after applying?

If your program changes in name or concept after applying, please contact The Women’s Fund team as soon as possible. Does The Women’s Fund provide support during the application process? The Women’s Fund team hosts a grant application workshop to answer questions about our process and priorities every year.

We cannot provide assistance with drafting your application, but we can answer questions about the application itself and provide tips to help you best represent your program and impact. Does The Women’s Fund provide grant writing services? In order to remain impartial, The Women’s Fund does not provide grant writing services.

However, we encourage applicants to connect with the Association of Grant Writing Professionals if they are interested in hiring external help. Can I apply multiple years in a row? Applicants can apply every year regardless of their funding status in the previous year.

The Women’s Fund supports established and new programs. If you are submitting an application for the first time and would like to schedule an introductory conversation prior to applying, please feel free to contact us .