The grant cycle for 2026 has ended.
A Fund for Women Grantmaking Process
Organizations interested in applying for a grant from AFFW must first submit a Letter of Inquiry. The AFFW Advisory Committee and MCF staff review these letters to ensure organizations are eligible to apply and that the requests fit within AFFW’s mission and focus. Organizations with approved Letters of Inquiry will be invited to submit a full grant application for consideration.
A Fund for Women Grantmaking Criteria
A Fund for Women is interested in projects from Dane County nonprofit organizations that focus on women’s economic empowerment and increasing opportunities for education and family sustaining jobs for underserved women.
Organizations eligible for funding are working to:
- Are 501(c)3 organizations located in Dane County.
- Increase accessibility of postsecondary education.
- Provide opportunities for women to develop financial literacy skills including but not limited to personal money management, investment skills and small business development opportunities.
- Reduce barriers for women trying to access educational and employment goals by providing accessible and affordable housing, child care, health care, or reliable transportation.
- Advocate for policy changes that support A Fund for Women’s vision and mission.
Initiatives eligible for funding may include but are not limited to: workforce development, education programs (not individual scholarships), advocacy, mentorship programs, and support services. Organizations whose work and missions align with that of AFFW may also request unrestricted grants to support their general operations. Multi-year grants will be considered at the discretion of the Advisory Committee.
Apply for a Grant
2026 Timeline:
- LOI Portal Opens- March 3
- LOIs Due – April 30
- Full Proposals Due – June 25
- AFFW Grantee Awards Made Public By September 15
Recent Grants From a Fund for Women
In 2026, A Fund for Women awarded $164,000 in grants to 13 local organizations that provide programs and support to empower people who identify as women and girls and strengthen their opportunities for success. These programs provide financial literacy and job training, mentorship and coaching to help women and their families gain economic stability and advancement.
African Center for Community Development
$15,000 for Leader Champions Fellowship Program for Black Immigrant Women. Provides training, mentorship and skill-building for Black immigrant women.
Centro Hispano
$15,000 for Cultivating Wealth. Expands financial education programs for Latina girls and women, helping families build wealth across generations.
Dane County Parent Council Dba Reach Dane
$15,000 for Wee Start Support. Provides a licensed childcare classroom embedded within Capital High School.
Foundation for Dane County Parks
$15,000 for Women in Natural Resource Management. Provides training for women in conservation careers, with a focus on land restoration and environmental stewardship.
Friends of the Odyssey Project
$14,500 for Supporting Odyssey Women Students. Offers assistance to students so they can overcome socioeconomic barriers that may prevent them from graduating.
Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools (GSAFE)
$10,000 for TrueYou: A Mentorship Program for Transgender Young Women & Gender Diverse Young Adults. Provides a permanent, recognized leadership program for underserved young women and adults.
Lake View Community School
$14,500 for Stable Steps Fellowship – From Second Shift to Salary: Paid Pathways for Women in Education. Creates paid career pathways for five women by expanding their employment into literacy tutoring positions.
Madison Area Community Land Trust
$15,000 for Building Stability and Economic Resilience for Women Homeowners. Supports women homeowners with financial coaching and home maintenance education, ensuring long-term housing stability.
Midwest Mujeres
$5,000 for Voices and Dreams Academy. Elevates Latina voices through storytelling and mentorship, inspiring leadership and confidence among participants.
OutReach
$5,000 for Gender Affirming Closet. Supplies access to a gender affirming professional wardrobe free of charge.
The Road Home Dane County
$10,000 for Women’s Employment and Education Fund. Provides financial assistance to remove barriers to finding and maintaining employment and furthering education.
UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence
$15,000 for Stitching Hope: A Sewing Empowerment Program. Provides Latina survivors of domestic violence with job skills, income opportunities and community healing through sewing.
Yada Project
$20,000 for Economic Empowerment Program: Job Creation and Training. Creates job opportunities and training for women who face barriers to economic security.
Worker Justice Wisconsin
$10,000 for Incubating a Women-owned Cleaning Cooperative. Establishes a co-op for women in the cleaning industry to protect against exploitative working conditions.
