Apply for Women’s Fund Grants Program 2026 – Vanderburgh County ($50,000 Impact Grants & $10,000 Finalist Grants)

Application Deadline: July 16, 2026

About the Grants Program

The Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County is dedicated to fostering positive change and promoting gender equity through strategic grants and community support. Each year, the Fund conducts a comprehensive and competitive grant cycle aimed at supporting organizations and initiatives that directly improve the quality of life for families residing in Vanderburgh County. The goal is to empower organizations that are making a tangible difference in the community, especially those focused on issues affecting women and families. For 2026, the Women’s Fund will award two prestigious Impact Grants, each valued at $50,000. These grants are intended to support either a specific program or a comprehensive project that addresses critical community needs, promotes gender equity, and demonstrates innovative approaches to creating lasting impact. The emphasis is on supporting initiatives that can serve as models for community change and that align with the Fund’s mission of fostering social and economic well-being for women and families. In addition to the two Impact Grants, four additional grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to organizations selected as finalists in each category programs and projects. These finalist grants serve to recognize promising initiatives and provide additional resources to help organizations scale their work or enhance their ongoing efforts. The finalist grants are also an opportunity for organizations to gain visibility and validation for their impactful work within the community. The grant cycle typically opens in June or July, initiating a period of application submissions, organizational reviews, and community assessments. During this process, organizations are evaluated based on their commitment to gender equity, their demonstrated community impact, innovative approaches, sustainability plans, and capacity to effectively utilize the funding to achieve measurable results. Following a meticulous and transparent deliberation process, a select panel of community leaders, experts, and Women’s Fund representatives reviews applications and selects the grant recipients. The goal is to fund initiatives that will foster equitable opportunities, improve family stability, support women’s economic empowerment, and address other pressing social issues impacting Vanderburgh County. The Women’s Fund’s grant program is more than just financial support; it is a catalyst for community-driven change. By investing in organizations committed to gender equity and community impact, the Fund aims to build a stronger, more equitable Vanderburgh County where families thrive, women are empowered, and community resources are maximized for the greatest good.

Grant Benefits

• Impact Grants: Two grants of $50,000 each one for a program and one for a project
• Finalist Grants: Four grants of $10,000 each awarded to organizations selected as finalists in each category

Eligibility Requirements

The Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County welcomes funding requests from:

• Nonprofit organizations deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Governmental agencies serving Vanderburgh County

Additional Requirements:

• Organizations may apply for either a Program or Project grant
• Organizations that received an Impact Grant must wait three years before applying again in either Impact Grant category
• Only one application will be considered from an organization
• Non-charitable organizations may apply under the auspices of a verified 501(c)(3) public charity acting as a fiscal sponsor

Fiscal Sponsors: Non-charitable organizations applying under a fiscal sponsor are required to provide a written statement signed by the fiscal sponsor’s board president confirming agreement to receive grant monies (if awarded) and to oversee the proposed program/project.

Funding Areas

Areas Considered for PROGRAM Funding:

• Community Development
• Education
• Health/Mental Health
• Human Services
• Other Civic Endeavors (Arts and Culture, Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development)
• Endowment Creation

Areas Considered for PROJECT Funding:

• Capital Projects
• Endowment Creation

Areas NOT Considered for Funding:

• Programs or projects of organizations that are not committed to gender equity. Applicant organizations are expected to have established female leadership on their staff and board, and generally promote gender equity within the community
• Requests for funding to reduce or retire debt
• Programs or projects which focus solely on the spiritual needs and growth of a church congregation or members of other religious organizations
• Political parties or campaigns
• Operating costs not directly related to the program/project
• Event sponsorship, annual appeals, or membership contributions
• Scholarships or other grants to individuals

Selection Process

The Women’s Fund grant committee will review all funding requests and select no more than six semifinalists in each category (Impact Program or Impact Project). After further review and site visits with each semi-finalist organization, three applicants will be selected as finalists in each of the two categories. The finalists will be invited to give an oral presentation of their proposal at the Women’s Fund Annual Meeting in November. After hearing the presentations, the Women’s Fund membership will cast their votes. The organizations whose proposals receive the majority of votes in each category will be awarded the Impact Grants. Additional finalists will also receive grants in the amount of $10,000 each.

Key Dates:

• Application Deadline: July 16, 2026 (before 5:00 PM)
• Annual Meeting & Grant Awards: November 4, 2026

Important: No lobbying or solicitation of Women’s Fund representatives is permitted.

Additional Considerations for Funding

For all grant opportunities, consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate:

• Commitment to long-range planning, financial stability, and sustainability
• Sound plans to address ongoing or emerging issues identified by research
• Solid, realistic plans for program/project evaluation
• Desire to promote collaboration among organizations or institutions to prevent duplication of services
• Project methodology utilizing a preventative approach to addressing the issue and solving problems
• Evidence of realistic organizational planning and management

Grant Period & Reporting Procedures

Funded programs and projects must:

• Begin within six months of the award
• Be completed within two years from the date the grant is received

Reporting Requirements:

• Impact Grants: Two grant reports required – the first report due one year after the grant is awarded, and a final report upon project completion
• Instructions will be provided at the time the grant is awarded through the grant agreement

Required Supporting Documents

The following supporting documents must be electronically attached to the grant application in PDF format:

• Current board roster with professional affiliations
• Organization’s current annual operating budget
• Statement of Financial Position / Balance Sheet (including comparison for the two previous years for the 12-month periods ending June 30, 2024 and 2025)
• Statement of Activities / Statement of Income & Expenses (Including the current fiscal year to date and the 12-month period of your prior two fiscal years)
• Annual Audit Letter or Financial Review Report
• Fiscal sponsor agreement letter (if applicable)

How to Apply

Application Link: Click here to apply

Application Access Code: Use code vcf in the grant management system to access the application through your user account.

For More Information: Visit the Official Vanderburgh County Women’s Fund Grants Program Page