Announcement of Availability of Grant Funds and RFP

Dear Providers of Services to Women in Bergen County (501(c)(3):

For the fifth consecutive year, Women United in Philanthropy is seeking applications for funding from worthy, innovative programs that help women in Bergen County become more economically stable and able to care for themselves and their families.

We are New Jersey’s first women’s giving circle, dedicated to strengthening the economic well-being of all women and helping to lift women out of poverty. We are 100 women strong, each member contributing $1000 or more to our pooled grant fund in order to invest collectively in bold, impact-oriented solutions.

This year, our members will vote to award a grant of between $75,000 - $100,000 to a program offering a new and innovative approach to meeting one of the following vital needs of women in Bergen County:

• Access to safe, affordable housing.
• Access to earning a living wage through skill development, job training, and job placement assistance.
• Access to affordable health care for herself and her family.
• Access to help in times of unexpected financial crisis.

Organizations are required to attend one of two mandatory training sessions where applications and technical assistance will be provided.  The purpose of the session is to discuss the Request for Proposals, the funding priorities of the giving circle, and the amount of funding potentially available.  Please choose either Tuesday, June 8 from 5-7:30pm or Wednesday, June 9 from 9-10:30am and RSVP to Jennifer Natale at info@wuip.org or 201-291-0601. Organizations will have time to discuss their particular proposal ideas with members of the circle’s grant committee.

Completed applications will be due on Thursday, July 15 and the membership will vote on finalists at our annual meeting at The Stony Hill Inn on October 21st. Funds from this grant will be available beginning January 1, 2011.

If you have an innovative program that addresses any of these issues facing women in Bergen County, I hope you will consider applying for our funds. Please contact me with any questions about our group or our process. I am pleased to help you in whatever way I can.

Jennifer Natale
Director of Giving Circle Operations