The WCA Foundation is inviting nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities metro area to apply for its 2025 Project Investment Grant. The grant application period runs from November 19, 2024, through December 19, 2024, with a strict deadline of 1 p.m. This funding opportunity supports initiatives that advance the foundation’s mission of “Women changing the lives of women” by addressing critical needs in health, economic stability, shelter, safety, and education for adult women (ages 18+). Grants will range from $10,000 to $30,000, with a total of $515,000 to $685,000 awarded to approximately 20–25 organizations.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with public charity tax status. They must operate within the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area—Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties—and serve clients primarily from this region. Applicants must have direct responsibility for their proposed projects, as requests through fiscal agents or sponsors are not allowed. The WCA Foundation does not fund activities that promote or require religious participation, nor does it support pro-life or pro-choice projects. Organizations can submit only one application per grant cycle. Current grantees from the 2024 Project Investment cycle are eligible to apply, but recipients of 2024–2025 multi-year general operating grants are not.

Applications must be submitted online through the Minneapolis Foundation’s GranteeView portal. Organizations new to this system will need to create an account, and it is recommended that individual grant writers use their own accounts for notifications. Incomplete applications or those submitted late will not be considered. Applicants are encouraged to use the downloadable Application Preview Worksheet to draft responses before submitting their proposals. All funding decisions will be communicated by May 30, 2025.

To support applicants, the foundation has provided a recorded information session with detailed guidance on the application process, eligibility criteria, and tips for using the online portal. For specific questions about proposals, applicants can email Julia Ruther at jruther@mplsfoundation.org or schedule a 15-minute consultation. For technical assistance, the Grants Administration team can be reached at grantsadministration@mplsfoundation.org or by phone at 612-672-8665.

This grant opportunity reflects the WCA Foundation’s commitment to empowering women by partnering with nonprofits to create community-directed solutions. Nonprofits are encouraged to start early and leverage the available resources to ensure their applications are thorough and timely.