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2021 Funding Priorities & Process

2021 Funding Priorities & Process

OUR FUNDING PRIORITIES

The Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis (WFSTL) is a catalyst for workplace, individual, and policy change that eliminates barriers to economic success for women in our region. We envision a fair and equitable community in which all women are able to achieve their economic goals.

The WFSTL accepts applications for grant programming from 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations whose programs, impact women, fit squarely within our strategic funding focus., and meet the following criteria:

  • Organizations, and the women they serve, be based in the St. Louis region.

  • Priority will be given to organizations with annual operating budgets of $2.0 million or less in income/expenses

  • The program receiving funding cannot be based in only one faith or involve religious worship, instruction, or proselytization

What we fund

During the 2021 grant cycle, we will award three grants of $7,500-$15,000 each for organizational programs or advocacy efforts that align with our current strategic plan and focus on the following:

  • Increasing access to jobs for women and supporting women earning a living wage (currently $47,500/year for a family of four) including workforce development/job training (with an emphasis on female-specific cohorts)

  • Increasing supports for working families such as access to safe, affordable childcare; access to paid family leave; or that otherwise remove barriers to employment for women.

What we do not fund:

  • Churches, religious schools, or programs that promote, teach, or exclusively encourage a specific faith practice

  • Capital and endowment campaigns

  • Political lobbying, campaigns, or candidates

  • Event sponsorships

  • Scholarships

  • Requests from individuals

OUR PROCESS

The WFSTL has a two-part application process, with one funding cycle in 2021.  All grant materials must be submitted through email only.  

We ask first time applicants to the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis to email foundation staff at info@wfstl.org to explore the project’s funding potential before submitting a Letter of Intent. Additionally, organizations can receive WFSTL funding for no more than 3 consecutive years.

PART ONE: Letter of Intent, due March 31, 2021 by 5:00 pm  CST (submitted electronically to info@wfstl.org)

Organizations must submit a Letter of Intent (maximum two pages) submitted on organizational letterhead, signed by an organizational leader, and provide detail on how their proposed program meets WFSTL’s areas of focus for 2021, including:  

  • Organizational contact name and contact information

  • A statement of the identified need you are addressing

  • A high-level overview of the grant funded program activities

  • A summary of intended outcomes for the grant-funded program

  • Why you believe you are the best organization to carry out this program

  • A high-level description of the total project budget and total amount you will request from WFSTL (The grant period for which funding is being requested should not start prior to the grant deadline of June 30, 2021.)

Applicants will be notified by April 30, 2021 if they are invited to submit a full proposal and will receive application details at that time.

PART TWO: Full Proposal and all Necessary Attachments (by invitation only) due June 11, 2021 by 5:00 pm  CST (submitted electronically to info@wfstl.org)

If the Letter of Intent is found to be promising, the organization will be invited to submit the Full Proposal, with grant awards made in September 2021.

  • The WFSTL uses the Missouri Common Grant Application 2.0 for those invited to submit a full proposal.

  • All questions must be answered and all necessary attachments received for a full proposal to be considered.

  • Submission of Part Two does not guarantee that a grant request will be funded.

Responsibilities of Grant Recipients
Grants shall be used solely for the purposes and for the period of time outlined in the proposal, unless the Grantee has received prior permission from the WFSTL. Grantees are required to submit a complete impact and financial report at the conclusion of the grant period.  Grant Report template

Questions? Please email info@wfstl.org with questions about the process

Recently Funded Agencies

2020 grants were awarded to

Center for Women in Transition

WEPOWER

LaunchCode

Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project

2019 grants were awarded to

Center for Women in Transition

Community Organizing and Family Issues

Healing Action

The Migrant and Community Action Project

Photos from WFSTL grantee Missouri Women in Trades