The Community Fund for Women & Girls Grant Opportunity

Pathways to Economic Security for Women

Funding for Greater New Haven nonprofit organizations serving women and organizations that support women entrepreneurs and business owners.

Grant Overview

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s Community Fund for Women & Girls is providing grants (up to $15,000) to nonprofits that provide women [1] in Greater New Haven with greater economic security through programs that support:

  • Women’s workforce training and employment participation
  • Women entrepreneurs
  • Women’s housing stability
  • Innovative childcare which supports women in the workforce
Ana Hernandez (left) with colleague Munira Mohamed at Havenly, a Pathways to Economic Security grantee in 2022. Photo: Aziza Mohamad

Funding Priorities

Women's Workforce Participation

  • Support for workforce training, job readiness and employment programs which improve women’s economic security. Priority consideration will be given to programming which includes wraparound supports (ex., cash assistance, transportation, childcare), that allow women to fully participate in training and work opportunities. Sample outcomes: Women’s increased ability to seek and maintain employment; increased ability to participate in and complete job-training programs.

Women Entrepreneurs

  • Support for initiatives that help women entrepreneurs in the development and maintenance of sustainable businesses. Can include training and coaching, direct financial assistance for operational and administrative costs, business planning and marketing guidance, and/or other related services. Sample outcomes: Woman-owned business’ increased financial strength, increased operational capacity, creation of employment opportunities for women.

Women’s Housing Security

  • Support for initiatives that help women obtain or maintain housing stability. Can include rental and eviction assistance, rental down payments, furniture, utility assistance and foreclosure prevention. Sample outcomes: Women’s increased housing stability through rental assistance distributions.

Childcare Innovation

  • Support for childcare programs which incorporate creative solutions to meet the needs of working families. Examples include alternative/extended-hour childcare; childcare-employer collaborations; childcare-training program collaborations and partnerships. Sample outcomes: Increased access to childcare for families, continued program operations for childcare/youth programming, increased collaboration amongst childcare providers and local businesses.

Process

  • The deadline to apply for funding is Monday, April 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions the week of May 20, 2024.

[1] Including those who identify as cisgender, transgender and nonbinary.

    Please contact the staff below with questions or to discuss your application:

    Kara Straun, Strategic Program Manager