Nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting women serve a critical role in advancing gender equity, economic empowerment, health access, education, safety, and leadership opportunities. These organizations provide vital services, including domestic violence shelters, job training, maternal health programs, entrepreneurship mentorship, and advocacy for gender rights. To sustain and expand these efforts, access to reliable grant funding is essential.
The Grant Portal is a valuable resource for discovering diverse grant opportunities tailored to women-focused nonprofits. By aggregating and curating funding sources from federal agencies, private foundations, and corporate giving programs, The Grant Portal empowers Grants for Nonprofits to identify the right opportunities to amplify their mission.
1. Federal Grants for Women-Focused Programs
Federal agencies offer numerous grants that benefit women-centric organizations, especially in health, workforce development, and violence prevention.
a. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Notable programs found on The Grant Portal:
- Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA): Provides core funding to domestic violence shelters and advocacy services.
- Office on Women’s Health Grants: Supports innovative programs that improve the health and well-being of women and girls.
b. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Key Opportunities:
- Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) Grants: Funds programs that prepare women for careers in trades and STEM fields.
- Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO): Supports job training programs, with preference for organizations serving marginalized women.
c. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Women’s Business Centers (WBC) Cooperative Agreements: Grants to nonprofit organizations providing counseling and training to women entrepreneurs.
Federal grants often come with rigorous application processes and reporting requirements, but offer substantial and sustained funding.
2. Private Foundations Dedicated to Women and Girls
Many private foundations support nonprofits that promote gender equity, education, and economic mobility for women.
a. The Ms. Foundation for Women
One of the most prominent funders for grassroots organizations that advance social, economic, and reproductive justice for women and girls, particularly women of color.
Funding Priorities:
- Reproductive health and rights
- Economic justice
- Leadership development
b. NoVo Foundation
Focused on transforming power structures to advance girls’ and women’s rights globally. The foundation funds:
- Anti-violence initiatives
- Leadership for adolescent girls
- Community-led systems change
c. Global Fund for Women
Supports women’s rights initiatives in over 170 countries, including the U.S.
Key Grant Types:
- Crisis funding
- Movement-building support
- Capacity-building grants for grassroots feminist organizations
These foundations often provide multi-year, unrestricted grants—ideal for organizations that need operational flexibility.
3. State and Local Grant Opportunities
State governments and municipal agencies often offer funding for women’s services, including:
- Maternal and child health
- Homelessness and housing support for women
- Business development initiatives for women of color
Examples:
- California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls: Offers grant programs for educational equity, economic justice, and health access.
- New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence: Provides grants to shelters and community-based organizations.
- Texas Women’s Foundation: Local grants for economic advancement and leadership programs.
These opportunities are often region-specific and can be found using The Grant Portal’s geographic search tools.
4. Corporate and CSR Funding for Women’s Programs
Many corporations support women-focused initiatives through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) arms, employee resource groups, or philanthropic foundations.
a. Nike Foundation / Girl Effect
Invests in programs that empower adolescent girls through education, health, and digital storytelling.
b. JPMorgan Chase Foundation
Supports women’s financial health, entrepreneurship, and workforce training initiatives.
c. Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Funds economic mobility initiatives, with a focus on women-led nonprofits and programs for survivors of abuse.
Corporate grants often emphasize innovation, measurable impact, and public visibility.
5. Grants for Women Entrepreneurs and Leadership
Beyond social services, many funders are investing in women’s economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.
a. Tory Burch Foundation
Offers:
- Fellows Program with grants and mentorship
- Access to capital through community partnerships
b. Cartier Women’s Initiative
Provides early-stage funding and support for women entrepreneurs driving social impact.
c. Women’s Funding Network (WFN)
A global network of women’s funds that support innovative, community-led solutions.
These grants often support nonprofits that train or incubate women entrepreneurs, especially from underserved communities.
6. Intersectional and Justice-Focused Funding
Grants focused on intersectionality, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ inclusion are increasingly available for nonprofits that serve marginalized women.
a. Black Girl Freedom Fund
Supports organizations led by and for Black girls, women, and gender-expansive youth.
b. Third Wave Fund
Funds youth-led, gender justice organizations that center the leadership of trans, intersex, and queer women of color.
c. Groundswell Fund
Provides capacity-building and general support for women of color-led reproductive justice organizations.
These grants prioritize equity, leadership, and long-term systemic change.
Using The Grant Portal to Find the Right Grants
The Grant Portal enables nonprofits to search for grants by focus area, geography, funder type, and eligibility requirements. Key benefits include:
- Regularly updated database of women-focused grants
- Keyword and category search (e.g., “domestic violence,” “STEM education for women”)
- Custom alerts for new opportunities
- Application tips and best practices
This comprehensive tool is ideal for nonprofits seeking to diversify funding streams and stay competitive in the evolving landscape of women’s philanthropy.
Conclusion
Supporting women is not just a moral imperative—it is a strategy for creating resilient, equitable, and prosperous communities. Nonprofits at the forefront of this work rely on grant funding to fuel their missions. Whether your organization focuses on health care access, education, economic empowerment, or gender-based violence prevention, numerous funding opportunities exist to support your work.
By leveraging The Grant Portal, women-focused nonprofits can identify high-impact funding opportunities, stay informed on new programs, and tailor their proposals for greater success. With the right funding and strategic approach, these organizations can create lasting change for women and girls across the globe.
