The Women’s Giving Circle of Jefferson County (WGCJC) offers annual grants to nonprofit organizations whose programs benefit women and children in Jefferson County, Indiana. The grants target four key fields of interest: education, economic empowerment, physical and mental health, and violence and crime prevention. Applications are reviewed by the Grants Sub-Circle, and recommendations are presented for a membership vote at the annual spring meeting. The program prioritizes projects that provide significant, community-wide benefits and address preventive solutions over remedial actions.

Eligible projects in education may include school readiness programs, after-school academic enrichment, literacy initiatives, and life/job skills training for women. Economic empowerment initiatives could involve programs supporting women business owners, financial management education, or encouraging non-traditional career paths for women and youth. Health-related programs may focus on prenatal care, mental health education, or nutrition and substance abuse prevention. Violence prevention grants support efforts such as child abuse prevention, services for victims of domestic violence, and gender-specific intervention programs for incarcerated women.

Organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits or 509(a) government agencies. Grants are not made to individuals, political campaigns, or religious activities, though community-focused programs by religious organizations may be considered. Applications must demonstrate sound financial management and submit audited financial statements if required. Prior grant recipients must be up to date on reports to be eligible for future funding, and resubmission of rejected proposals is not permitted in consecutive cycles.

High-priority proposals are those for one-time projects, preventive rather than remedial solutions, and those that serve a large portion of Jefferson County. Projects that attract volunteer support, foster collaboration, and provide services not currently available are also favored. Lower-priority funding areas include new construction, routine maintenance, normal operating expenses, and computer equipment, though exceptions are made for renovations that improve service quality.

The application for the 2025 WGCJC grant cycle is open, with a deadline of Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at noon. Applicants are encouraged to use the online portal and review the detailed instructions and resources provided. Successful grantees are required to submit a final program and financial report, and the quality and timeliness of these reports may influence future funding eligibility.

For assistance, applicants should contact Kelly Miller, Finance & Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County. Applicants are prohibited from contacting WGCJC committee members directly to ensure ethical grant-making standards are maintained. Additional information, including application guidelines and past grantee examples, is available on the foundation’s website.