OVERVIEW: This funder supports causes for anti-violence, safety, economic security, health, sexual rights, and reproductive justice that benefit women and girls in New York City.
FUNDING AREAS: Women and girls, anti-violence, safety, economic security, health, sexual rights, reproductive justice
IP TAKE: There are also some great opportunities for transgender and non-binary gender youth with this funder. Keep an eye on the multi-funder collaboration called NYC Fund for Girls & Young Women of Color. A lot of powerful forces are behind this fund, and big things are already happening with it.
PROFILE: The New York Women’s Foundation (NYWF) aims to create equity and justice for women and families with cross-cultural alliances, and bold community-led solutions in the city. It was established by a small group of women in 1987 and has become one of the top leaders in funding for women and girls in the country today.
Areas of interest are anti-violence, safety, economic security, health, sexual rights, and reproductive justice. All of these issues are viewed through a gender lens to create better lives for women and girls. All five boroughs and city-wide programs are supported by this funder. Priority is given to women-led, grassroots organizations working on economic issues for underserved women and girls. However, it does not fund direct services for women.
Anti-violence and safety grants are awarded to organizations and programs for underserved communities addressing issues of partner violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and trafficking. NYWF is a big funder for anti-domestic violence and empowering women to build lives free from violence.
Economic security is a huge issue here, and grants are awarded for economic justice for women and girls through education, employment, work supports, training, and asset building. Grants are regularly awarded to organizations and programs for high school completion, job training and placement, financial literacy, and basic adult education.
Health, sexual rights, and reproductive justice is the third focus area at NYWF, and grantmaking is focused on helping women, girls, and transgender individuals take control of their own health and well-being. Typical funding goes towards comprehensive health care services, access to health insurance, sexuality and reproductive rights, and access to healthy food.
This foundation likes to support organizations it has worked with in the past. You can see examples of NYWF’s continuing support on the Grantee Partners 1988-2013 page. For example, the Sakhi for South Asian Women received funding in 1991, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. A list of past grantees can be viewed on the foundation website.
NYWF funding has been made available through the New York City Fund for Girls and Young Women of Color. General operating support has also been provided to groups with budgets of $2 million or less. There are two grant cycles per year, one in the spring and the other in the fall: those are the best times to check this funder’s website about new grant opportunities. Most grants awarded by NYWF range from $50,000 to $70,000 each, and the application process is online.
Keep in mind that NYWF does not give money to public or private schools, capital projects, summer-only programs, loans, or needs assessments. Only organizations located in and serving New York City are considered for grants.
At the end of a recent year, the foundation had over $23 million in total assets. Current financial data can be viewed here and annual reports here. Grant inquiries can be directed to the staff at programs@nywf.org or 212-515-6993. Keep up with this funder at its Newsroom.
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