Deadline: January 15, 2015
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) is accepting applications for the 2015 Community Action Grant. Community Action Grants provide funds that address issues related to the needs of women and girls or that provide information to educate and benefit the public on those issues. The Grants are offered to individuals, AAUW branches, and AAUW state organizations as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equality for women and girls.
About the Grants
One-Year Grant: $2,000 – $7,000 over one year – One-year grants provide funding for community-based projects. Topic areas are unrestricted but should include a clearly defined activity that advances equity for women and girls.
Two-Year Grant: $5,000 – $10,000 over two years – Two-year grants provide start-up funds for new projects that address the particular needs of the community and develop girls’ sense of efficacy through leadership, advocacy, or training opportunities.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be individuals, AAUW branches, AAUW state organizations or local community-based nonprofit organizations (including universities).
- Project Directors must be the applicant and U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- The proposed activity must take place within the U.S. or its territories.
- Nonprofit organizations and universities must be based in the U.S. or its territories.
- Organizations (including universities) must have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. AAUW branch/state applicants must have 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) tax exempt status.
- AAUW boards, committees, panels, task forces, staff and current interns are not eligible to apply for AAUW awards.
- The proposed activity must have direct community or public impact.
- Proposals from AAUW branches or AAUW state organizations must be approved and signed by the branch or state president.
- Proposals from local community-based nonprofit organizations must be approved and signed by the organization’s executive director.
- Community Action Grants are not available for the development of written work for academic credit or for research that will be used for a degree thesis or dissertation.
Selection Criteria
AAUW encourages proposals for projects that:
- Use innovative approaches to address local community needs or build linkages among community partners.
- Build partnerships between schools and community organizations.
Special consideration is given to
- Projects focused on K-14 (including 2-year colleges) girls’ achievement in math, science and/or technology.
- Projects that seek community partners. Community partners might include local schools or school districts, businesses and other community-based organizations.
The following criteria apply to the selection of Community Action Grants:
- Relevance of the proposed project to the mission of AAUW.
- Strength of the project rationale ─ the project meets a demonstrable, documented local need.
- Clarity and creativity of the project design ─ (1) the project has clear and specific outcomes and (2) is original and/or innovative in its approach to achieving those outcomes.
- Sustainability/Impact of the project ─ (1) the project reaches underserved audiences, (2) builds connections with diverse individuals and organizations, (3) there is potential for AAUW branch or state involvement/ visibility, (4) there is potential for long-term impact, and (5) there is potential for long-term sustainability beyond the grant period.
- Feasibility of the project ─ (1) proposed activities will logically lead to desired outcomes/achievement of goals, (2) the project time frame is realistic, (3) the budget is adequate and expenses are justified in the budget narrative, (4) there is adequate support from collaborative organizations and community partners, (5) the project director is qualified to direct the project, and if an AAUW branch, AAUW state or nonprofit applicant, the organization has the capacity to carry out the project.
- Strength of the evaluation plan ─ (1) specific evaluation methods are proposed to measure short-term, medium-term and long-term results, (2) proposed evaluation methods are logical measures of projected outcomes and (3) resources are adequate to support the proposed methods.
- Strength of the dissemination plan ─ (1) specific dissemination methods are identified, (2) a realistic plan is provided to implement the dissemination and (3) resources are adequate to support proposed dissemination.
- Overall quality of the proposal ─ the proposal is clear and convincing.
- Potential for and/or commitment of additional funds and involvement from community organizations and/or businesses ─ application includes an Organizational Summary/Commitment Form(s) for every partner organization.
For more information, visit AAUW Community Action Grant.
