FAQs about Our Grantmaking
FAQs about our grantmaking
What types of projects does The Women’s Foundation of Colorado fund and why?
Through the Direct Service Fund, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado (The WFCO) is funding programs in Education, and Job Training for low-income women and girls throughout our State.
We recognize that it takes many interventions to get a woman/girl on the path to economic self-sufficiency. However, as a Foundation with limited resources, we are currently focusing on Education, Job Training and Financial Literacy for low-income women and girls throughout our State. These three areas were chosen due to their direct influence on women and girls throughout our State.
To the right is The WFCO’s visual on what it takes to put women/ girls on the path to economic self- sufficiency. We believe that The WFCO’s granting dollars will make the largest impact for the relatively small ($5000) investment in these 3 areas. Annually, the Program Committee will review to determine if these three areas are the most logical areas in which to make our investments.
The WFCO Public Policy Fund: The Women’s Foundation of Colorado is focused on economic public policy reform, as we believe that changes in public policy will have the greatest positive impact in assisting women and girls in their efforts to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
While The Foundation understands that many factors impact policy and legislation, it is currently funding in the following areas through this RFP:
Research/ Analysis and Message development
1. Message Development
2. Development of trusted messengers and champions
3. Framing issues
4. Media work and exposure
Partnership and Coalition Building
1. Partnership Development
2. Coalition development
3. Joint Campaigns
4. Building alliances among unlikely allies
Grassroots Community Organization
1. Constituent education
2. Grassroots development
3. Marches, convenings and rallies
4. Education and Outreach
5. Media work and exposure
Lobbying
1. Development of White Papers
2. Development of policy proposals
3. Educational briefings of legislators
4. Watchdog function
5. Direct Lobbying
6. Negotiation between various groups
Female Government Representation
1. Research on the Status of Women in Colorado
2. Train women to be leaders
3. Support and promote female candidates
Capacity Building for organizations as it relates to policy work only
1. Strategic Planning
2. Education
3. Leadership Development
4. Communication skill building
Donor Advised Funds: Foundation staff works with each donor advisor to determine their funding interests.
Where can I obtain more information about my own county-specific girls and women’s issues?
The WFCO creates statistical reports on all 64 counties in Colorado each year. These reports are filled with data relating to the status of women and girls in our state. We encourage all of our grantees to use this data when crafting a proposal to The WFCO and other Foundations. Please click here to obtain your county report.
How will my proposal be evaluated?
Grant proposals will be evaluated for each of the following:
• the significance of the proposal and how the applicant framed its program as it relates to the areas of focus.
• the technical quality of the application, including the degree to which the applicant demonstrates a thorough understanding of the problem and has developed a program design that addresses this problem.
• the extent to which the applicant has clearly described the tasks that are to be undertaken and the milestones to be met in the completion of the proposed project. Reviewers will consider the reasonableness of the budget and the feasibility of achieving the project's objectives within schedule and on budget.
• All proposals will be judged on the quality, clarity, and completeness of the written application.
The Foundation has a Program Committee made of WFCO Board members, committee members, community volunteers and staff. All of the committee members read through the applications, rank each application using a unified ranking form, give each proposal a score (0-100) and then discusses each proposal during a face-to-face meeting. The Program Committee then makes recommendations for funding to The WFCO Board. The WFCO Board ultimately approves each recommendation and/or asks for more information.
How long does the application process take?
If you submit a proposal on the deadline of the application process, it takes between two and three months for us to get back to you.
How can I check the status of my proposal?
We try to keep you informed of the status as often as possible. You will receive an e-mail from the online grantmaking system confirming that you have submitted your proposal successfully. After that, you are welcome to call us to check in, but keep in mind that the process takes time. We receive a lot of proposals, all of which must go through the same review process. If you have a question about a specific proposal, send an e-mail to roweenan@wfco.org.
What is your deadline for applications?
We post our granting guidelines at the beginning of each year. Embedded in the guidelines is our timeframe for each application. We adhere strictly to the timelines and cannot accept a late entry.
Is staff available for consultation before I apply for funding?
WFCO staff is available for general guidance. We are happy to talk to prospective applicants but cannot review written documents or officially recommend or reject an idea over the phone. We can, however, provide a sense of the questions reviewers will ask to assist you in deciding whether to prepare an application, and we can guide you to additional resources.
Will I receive specific comments on my proposal after a decision is made?
Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual critiques of brief proposals. You are welcome to call / e-mail staff afterward to ask questions about your proposal submission.
Do you fund outside of Colorado?
No. The Women’s Foundation of Colorado only funds project work in Colorado. Some of our private, donor advised funds do fund outside of our state, but this by invitation only.
Do I have to submit my application online?
In an effort to become a “paperless” Foundation and adhere to “green best practices”, all applications must be made through The WFCO’s online submission process. This system will help streamline the application procedure. If you have any questions about how to apply online, please review the CyberGrants tutorial or call staff.
What are my chances of being funded?
Historically, we are able to fund roughly 60 percent of all proposals we receive.
How can I send you more information about my organization than requested in your application?
While we enjoy learning more about the 19,000 nonprofit organizations in our State, the Foundation does not want annual reports, special photos or stories during the application process. Please do not send any additional information, other than that which is requested. Please know that the Foundation is trying to go “paperless” and we encourage our grantees to do the same.
What doesn’t your Foundation fund?
Because the following is not core to our mission or because we feel we would be duplicating efforts of other Foundations, The Women's Foundation of Colorado currently does not fund:
Child-care scholarships or tuition subsidies
General operating support for organizations that do not have programming in the three 2008 funding areas specified above
Scholarships, fellowships
Healthcare related programs
Domestic-violence programs (except for those with job opportunity, education/ training or financial literacy component.)
Grants to individuals
Faith-based organizations that are seeking funds for proselytizing or that provide services only to those with a specified religious belief
• Endowments
• Capital development projects
• Election campaigns
• Programs for boys or men
Is there a maximum budget amount for WFCO grants?
Each grant application has a maximum request amount. Please review the guidelines.
Is there a specified organizational overhead rate?
Overhead costs may be calculated into your proposal. The Foundation understands that staff time, materials, etc., are critical to the project.
What is required of the WFCO grantees?
At the close of each grant, typically after 12 months, grantees are expected to provide a written report on the project and its findings in a format and style, and of a quality, that would be suitable for publication in a WFCO report. From time to time, the staff and volunteers of the WFCO would like to perform site visits, phone calls or periodic communications with grantees.
Where can I get help in writing my proposal?
For a few helpful tips on the basics of grant writing, please visit:
http://www.coloradocommongrantforms.org
http://Foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/index.html
http://www.fundraiserhelp.com/grant-writing-tips.htm
http://ctb.ku.edu/tools/writegrantapplication/example1.jsp