A Fund for Women Grantmaking Process
Organizations interested in applying for a grant from AFFW must first submit a Letter of Inquiry. The AFFW Advisory Committee and MCF staff review these letters to ensure organizations are eligible to apply and that the requests fit within AFFW’s mission and focus. Organizations with approved Letters of Inquiry will be invited to submit a full grant application for consideration.
A Fund for Women Grantmaking Criteria
A Fund for Women is interested in projects from Dane County nonprofit organizations that focus on women’s economic empowerment and increasing opportunities for education and family sustaining jobs for underserved women.
Organizations eligible for funding are working to:
- Are 501(c)3 organizations located in Dane County.
- Increase accessibility of postsecondary education.
- Provide opportunities for women to develop financial literacy skills including but not limited to personal money management, investment skills and small business development opportunities.
- Reduce barriers for women trying to access educational and employment goals by providing accessible and affordable housing, child care, health care, or reliable transportation.
- Advocate for policy changes that support A Fund for Women’s vision and mission.
Initiatives eligible for funding may include but are not limited to: workforce development, education programs (not individual scholarships), advocacy, mentorship programs, and support services. Organizations whose work and missions align with that of AFFW may also request unrestricted grants to support their general operations. Multi-year grants will be considered at the discretion of the Advisory Committee.
Apply for a Grant
The 2025 grant cycle is closed. Grant awards will announced in September.
Recent Grants From a Fund for Women
In 2025, A Fund for Women awarded $146,000 in grants to 13 local organizations that provide programs and support to empower people who identify as women and girls and strengthen their opportunities for success. These programs provide financial literacy and job training, mentorship and coaching to help women and their families gain economic stability and advancement.
Centro Hispano
$15,000 for Cultivating Wealth. Expands financial education programs for Latina girls and women, helping families build wealth across generations.
Foundation for Dane County Parks
$15,000 for Women in Natural Resource Management. Provides training for women in conservation careers, with a focus on land restoration and environmental stewardship.
JustDane
$10,000 for Just Bakery. Offers job training and support to women facing barriers to employment, providing culinary and workforce skills.
Latino Academy of Workforce Development
$10,000 for Latina Mentorship Program: Workforce Readiness. Guides Latina young adults through mentorship, GED completion, bilingual workforce training and job placement.
Literacy Network
$10,000 for Empowering Women With English Skills. Delivers ESL instruction to women pursuing education and career goals, and supporting their families’ futures.
Madison Area Community Land Trust
$10,000 for Building Stability: Post-Purchase Support. Supports women homeowners with financial coaching and home maintenance education, ensuring long-term housing stability.
Meadowood Health Partnership
$6,000 for General Operating Funds. Strengthens core programming that connects women with health, wellness and community support resources.
Midwest Mujeres
$5,000 for Voices and Dreams Academy. Elevates Latina voices through storytelling and mentorship, inspiring leadership and confidence among participants.
OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center
$10,000 for Interview Readiness. Offers mentoring and career coaching for transgender women and LGBTQ+ individuals, reducing barriers to employment.
The Playing Field
$15,000 for Child Care Stabilization Initiative. Expands high-quality, trauma-informed childcare, enabling single mothers to pursue work and education.
UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence
$15,000 for Stitching Hope: A Sewing Empowerment Program. Provides Latina survivors of domestic violence with job skills, income opportunities and community healing through sewing.
Yada Project
$15,000 for Economic Empowerment Program. Creates job opportunities and training for women who face barriers to economic security.
YWCA Madison
$10,000 for YWeb Career Academy. Offers women, especially single mothers, training in IT and digital skills to secure family-sustaining careers.
