Central Minnesota Women’s Fund Grants

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About This Grant

Foundation: Central Minnesota Community Foundation

Brief Description

In 2002 the Women’s Fund was established as a component fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation to benefit women and/or girls within a 30 mile radius of St. Cloud. The Women’s Fund seeks to leverage the efforts and dollars from local nonprofits to provide resources that will make a difference to single individuals or systems.

What We Fund

  • Capital projects
  • New or expanded programs/projects
  • Other strategic Investments that will have a lasting impact

Eligible organizations: 501(c) 3 nonprofit Organizations, schools or government entities.

Geographic Area: Grants must serve women and/or girls within 30 mile radius of St. Cloud.

Funding Amount Range: $3,000 – $15,000

Focus Areas

  • Girls (ages 10–18) – Programs that promote equality, success, and health.
  • Women Experiencing Adversity – Programs that support women navigating significant life changes.
  • Elder Women – Programs that address issues unique to women as they age, improving independence, health, and quality of life.

Favorable Considerations

  • Girls (10–18)
    • Programs that build self-esteem, leadership, and decision-making skills.
    • Opportunities for mentorship, role models, and educational/career guidance.
    • Support for pursuing higher education, including nontraditional fields such as STEM.
  • Women Experiencing Adversity
    • Programs that foster economic self-sufficiency through job training, education, or employment support.
    • Access to quality childcare or early childhood education.
    • Support services including mentoring, mental health services, and programs for immigrant or refugee women.
  • Elder Women
    • Programs that support economic security, financial literacy, and employment opportunities.
    • Access to health care, mental health services, fitness, and preventive care.
    • Support for coping with life changes, maintaining independence, and lifelong learning.
  • Additional Priorities

Typically, we do not fund:

  • Individuals

  • Religious organizations for religious purposes 

    Please see our Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy

  • Political organizations or political campaigns

    This generally includes organizations with a 501 (c)(4) status that can advocate for causes and propositions and endorse specific candidates.

  • Event sponsorship or annual fundraising drives

  • Multi-year requests

    Organizations seeking continued support beyond the initial grant year are welcome to reapply in subsequent grant cycles.

  • Endowments

  • Debt retirement

    For example, grant funds should not be used to: pay off an organization’s loans, lines of credit, unpaid bills, or deficits, cover past due obligations, such as back taxes or unpaid rent, refinance existing liabilities, even if related to previously funded projects

  • Projects that have already been completed

    Applications seeking reimbursement for past work, retroactive funding, or previously concluded programs and completed capital projects are typically ineligible.

  • Individual academic scholarships for post-secondary education

  • Grants solely for the purpose of travel or conferences

    Specifically, we do not fund travel for staff of agencies or organizations

  • Government funding that has been reduced or eliminated

    Our resources are primarily intended to catalyze innovation, support sustainable solutions, and build long-term capacity, rather than substituting for public sector obligations.

Applicants who are unsure of their project or program’s eligibility are advised to reach out to our local staff prior to applying. This helps maintain an efficient review process for all.

Application Process

1)

Submit application online using the CommunityGiving Grant Management System.

2)

The Grant Advisory Committee will recommend applications for funding to the Board of Directors.

3)

The Board of Directors will make final funding decisions.

All notification about this grant will be through emails.

Payout of Grants: upon recipient of electronically signed Grant Agreement.

Grantee Required Documents: Grant Agreement and Final Report. Progress Report may be required if requested. Required follow up documents will be submitted through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System.

For questions about this grant or the online Grant Management System please call (320) 257-9715.

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