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 children.
Promoting Self-sufficiency is interpreted to mean assisting adult women to live productive lives either independently or within a family unit, as well as preparing younger women to achieve the confidence and competence to take care of themselves and their children, if they have them. Given the limited resources available, grants will focus on assisting those who are economically disadvantaged.
Programs addressing housing, addiction, financial counseling, education, parenting and life skills, mentoring, workforce development, legal services, and violence against women are examples of the types of programs funded. This is not intended to be an inclusive list.
Geographic Focus:
Funded programs must serve women and/or children primarily in Baltimore City or Baltimore County.
Grant Awards:
Grants are awarded in amounts up to and including $20,000. Grants are awarded in June, with the money to be spent in the 12-month period ending June 30 of the following year. A grant may only be used for the purpose stated in the grant application. If a funded program is not implemented, the grant funds awarded must be returned to the BWGC. If a project is discontinued during the grant period, unexpended funds must be returned to the BWGC.
Reapplying for Grant Awards:
Organizations that receive funding for a program may reapply only when 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 its final report and participating in the final interview.
Assuming the above conditions have been met, an organization receiving a grant in July 2010, for example, would be eligible to receive another grant in July 2012. 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 which have multiple independent, discrete entities and each entity is under different executive leadership (such as a school or agency). A specific school or agency which 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 which have their own executive leadership and are linked only by using the same organization as fiscal sponsor. An entity which 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 under the same fiscal sponsor.
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.