Programs whose primary beneficiaries are women of all ages and/or their children are eligible for consideration.
Grants are given to nonprofit organizations whose programs and services promote self-sufficiency for women and their families.
Promoting Self-sufficiency is interpreted to mean supporting women of all ages and their families to live healthy, productive lives. Grants will focus on assisting those who are economically disadvantaged.
Programs addressing housing, addiction, financial literacy, education, health services, parenting, life skills, mentoring, workforce development, legal services, and violence prevention are examples of the types of programs funded. This is not intended to be an inclusive list.
Geographic Focus:
Funded programs primarily serve women and their families living in Baltimore City or Baltimore County.
Grant Awards:
Grants are awarded in amounts up to $20,000. Awards are made for a grant cycle beginning on July 1 of the award year and ending on June 30 of the following year. This restricted grant may be used only for the purpose stated in the grant application. If a funded program is not implemented, the grant funds must be returned to the BWGC. If a funded program is discontinued during the grant period, unexpended funds must be returned to the BWGC.
An organization may submit only one grant proposal per grant cycle.
There are two exceptions to this policy:
(1) Large “umbrella” organizations, such as universities that have multiple Independent, discrete entities and each entity is under different executive leadership (such as a school or agency). Different specific schools or agencies may submit grant proposals for the same year.
(2) Independent, discrete entities that have their own executive leadership that are linked only by sharing the same organization as fiscal agent. Any such entity may submit a grant proposal for a particular year, regardless of whether another entity sharing the same fiscal agent also applies for a grant.
Reapplying for Grant Awards:
Organizations that receive funding for a program may reapply after the following conditions have been met: (1) the funded program has been completed and all funds have been spent; and (2) the organization has complied with all other conditions of the grant, including submitting the final report and participating in the final interview.
Assuming the above conditions have been met, an organization receiving a grant beginning July 2012 would be eligible to receive another grant beginning July 2014. An organization that did not receive a grant in a funding cycle is eligible to reapply for a grant for that same program or any other program within the organization during the next grant cycle.
There are two exceptions to this policy:
(1) Large “umbrella” organizations, such as universities that have multiple independent, discrete entities and each entity is under different executive leadership (such as a school or agency). A specific school or agency that has received funding for a program may not reapply until the conditions outlined above have been met. A different school or agency may apply for a grant regardless of the funding status of other schools or agencies under the same umbrella organization.
(2) Independent, discrete entities that have their own executive leadership and are linked only by sharing the same organization as fiscal agent. An entity that has received funding for a program may not reapply until the conditions outlined above have been met. A different entity may apply for a grant regardless of the funding status of other entities using the same fiscal agent.
Organizations Eligible for Funding:
Organizations must qualify as a not-for-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
The following are ineligible for funding:
- Organizational endowments
- Capital improvements, except for computers to be used by clients
- Purchase of event tickets or event sponsorships
- Grants made to individuals
- Deficit reduction
- Annual drives or annual giving campaigns
- Political activities or political action committees
- Programs requiring adherence to or acceptance of a particular religious belief, or programs requiring participation in a religious service or activity.