Power Her Forward: Immersive Grant Writing and Professional Development
Approximately 70% of employees in nonprofits are women, yet they often do not ascend to leadership roles as frequently as men, partly due to fewer opportunities for professional development. Notably, women constitute about 60% of leaders in small nonprofits, as highlighted by a Philanthropy Today study. We at the Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley are committed to equalizing those statistics by amplifying the voices of women through professional and personal development.
There is also an unsettling philanthropic challenge we must also face. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, in 2022 American foundations gave $499 billion dollars to help fund non-profits across the nation, which is incredible considering inflation hikes and economic uncertainty. These contributions are significant. Looking in a different direction, a research study conducted by the consultancy Bridgespan and Echoing Green, in addition to other findings published by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, indicated that organizations led by people of color, particularly women of color, are disproportionately underfunded and face higher rejection rates for grants.
Now let us put this into context. In 2020 alone, over $567 million dollars were distributed from foundations to cover the cost of programs centering equity. While these types of financial contributions have increased from previous years, the majority of these gifts were for one-time projects and not for multi-year initiatives where the seeds of change could be nurtured.
AssessingtheDisconnect:
WFGV took the steps to meaningfully engage with community members to evaluate our impact as a foundation, while listening deeply to understand and identify needs. The insights gained prompted an unprecedented transformation within our organization, prompting us to critically examine whether foundations are truly meeting the needs of the community in an equitable manner The systemic disparities mentioned highlightstheneedfortargetedsupportforgranteesand training resources for foundations to understand its internalbiasesandwhygivingequitablycanbroadentheir reachandimpact.
ThePowerHerForwardImmersiveGrantWritingandProfessionalDevelopmentAccelerator:
The purpose of this accelerator is two-fold Our primary objective is to champion equitable philanthropy by demystifying the work that goes into effective grant writing, fundraising, and beyond. Through a comprehensive suite of training courses, we cover a wide range of essential topics, from grant writing to donor cultivation and advanced strategies for maximizing community impact. It also provides additional experiences which includes professional development workshops and executive coaching. Our second objective is to serve as a resource to other foundations who are interested in sharpening their skills as it relates to serving and funding its community in an equitable and humanizing manner
In our commitment to fostering a future where women lead the charge in catalyzing positive social transformations, our Power Her Forward Immersive Grant Writing and Professional Development Accelerator is a comprehensive training program specifically designed to uplift and empower underrepresented women within the nonprofit sector, equipping them with the critical skill of effective grant seeking and writing
OverallProgramObjectives:
Professional Empowerment: To provide underrepresented women in the nonprofit sector with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in grant writing, thereby enhancing their professional growth and impact
Support for Communities in Need: To strengthen small nonprofits by enabling them to secure grant funding essential for supporting diverse communities in need.
Training and Collaboration for Greater Impact: By partnering with other giving institutions, we aim to extend our reach by providing professional development training to women
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Philanthropy: To underscore the importance of DEI in philanthropic endeavors, we are a training resource and thought partner in the delivery of equitable giving practices.
GrantWritingProgramFeatures:
Tailored Training Sessions: Participants will engage in carefully designed workshops and seminars focused on the art and science of grant writing, from identifying potential funding sources to crafting compelling proposals.
Coaching Opportunities: Each participant will be paired with a mentor who specializes in essential professional skills such as branding, executive coaching, and public speaking These mentors are committed to providing personalized guidance and support throughout the program