Submit a Letter of Intent

A Letter of Intent is the required first step in submitting funding requests to be considered by the Women's Fund of Vanderburgh County. The Letter of Intent helps in determining whether a funding request qualifies for consideration before the applicant invests time and effort in completing a full grant proposal.

Overview

Each year, the Women's Fund awards a grant to a single nonprofit organization serving women and children. Organizations that receive a grant become ineligible to apply for further grants from the Women's Fund for five years from the date of the award. The requirements and instructions provided here are to be considered current and accurate only for the duration of the Foundation's grant cycle. Program requirements may change from year to year; therefore, grantseekers are advised to revisit this page prior to beginning the grant application process.

Grant Cycle

The Women's Fund grant cycle runs from July through November each year. Funding requests are accepted only during our grant cycle. Those submitted at any other time will not be considered. A notice of the start of each year's grant cycle is mailed to nonprofit organizations that have applied for or received grants in the past or that have otherwise requested notification.

Eligibility
The Women's Fund welcomes Letters of Intent from nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code serving Vanderburgh County women and children.

Fiscal Sponsors
Proposals submitted by an entity under the auspices of another agency must include a written statement signed by the agency’s board president on behalf of the board of directors agreeing to act as the entity’s fiscal sponsor, to receive grant monies if awarded, and to oversee the proposed project.

Project Areas Considered for Funding
The program or project for which funding is being requested must address needs and opportunities that support the Fund's purpose and meet one of the following criteria:

• Capital Projects: Small capital projects that will be completed within two years from the date of the grant award.
• Community Development: Activities that benefit women and/or children in the community or address gender equity issues within all segments of the population.
• Education: Activities that promote or strengthen the educational attainment of women and/or children, both in and out of the classroom.
• Health: Activities that improve the health outcomes for women and/or children.
• Human Services: Activities that support public protection, employment/jobs, food and nutrition, agriculture, housing and shelter, public safety, disaster preparedness, and relief for women and/or children.
• Endowment Creation: Assistance with the establishment of an endowment fund to provide a future funding source for the project. However, only a portion of the grant may be used for the creation of an endowment fund.
• Other Civic Endeavors: Other activities that will improve the quality of life for women and/or children in Vanderburgh County.

Project Areas NOT Considered for Funding

• Projects or programs 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 of the organization.
• Projects that focus solely on the spiritual needs and growth of a church congregation or members of other religious organizations.
• Political parties or campaigns.
• Operating costs of the organization such as general office equipment, staff salary, rent, and utilities.
• Event sponsorships, annual appeals, and membership contributions.
• Travel expenses for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or classes.
• Scholarships or other grants to individuals.

Instructions for Submitting a Letter of Intent
Letters of Intent should be no more than two double-spaced 8.5x11-inch pages, margins of no less than one inch, and type size of no less than 10 points. Include contact information (name, telephone number, email address) and attach a copy of your organization's IRS determination letter verifying 501(c)(3) and 509(a) status. Submit a Letter of Intent that includes a brief project description and addresses the following:

• What need does the project address and why is your organization well-suited to address the need?
• What is the expected impact to your organization and to the community/target population?
• Is this a new program or a continuation of an existing program?
• What is the estimated cost of the project? What are the other sources of funding, if needed?
• Is your organization using a fiscal sponsor? If so, describe the sponsoring organization and its relationship to the project.

Deadline to Submit a Letter of Intent
The original and fourteen copies of the Letter of Intent must be received by the Vanderburgh Community Foundation office no later than noon on the third Wednesday of August.

Deliberation and Award
The Women's Fund Grants Committee will review Letters of Intent and select eight semi-finalists to submit formal proposals. Once the committee has completed its review and investigation of the proposals/projects, four organizations will be selected as finalists and will be invited to give an oral presentation of their projects at the Women's Fund annual meeting in November. The Fund's membership will conduct a vote at the conclusion of the presentations and the organization whose project receives the majority of votes will be awarded the grant at the meeting.

Grant Period
Funded projects must be completed within two years from the date the grant is received.