OVERVIEW: The Women’s Foundation of State of Arizona supports organizations and programs that work towards social, political and economic change for women and girls.
IP TAKE: Grantmaking here supports organizations that are led by and serve women of Arizona with a strong focus on underserved women. Individual progams currently address women’s economic development, philanthropic leadership development, women and girls of color and Arizona’s newly restrictive abortion law. Eligibility, guidelines and due dates vary by program, so be sure to read each program page before submitting materials. Overall, this this is an accessible funder; contact information for staff members is available on the organization’s contact page. Grantseekers may also want to attend one of the foundation’s virtual events to get a betters sense of the foundation’s interests.
PROFILE: Since 1991, the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona, formerly the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona, (WFSA) has been awarding grants to benefit women and girls. This is a funder that goes beyond just grantmaking to connect, advocate, invest and take action for this cause. The foundation aims to “collaborate to achieve social, political and economic change that empowers women and girls.” Areas of interest for this women’s group funder have included a two-generational approach to needs of low-income single mothers and their children, helping women increase their income and assets, and changing workplace policies to improve conditions for women. Sexual violence, LGBTQ+ issues and healthcare are also strong areas of interest. Current priorities are set by the community-based volunteer board of trustees. Economic security and self-sufficiency are at the heart of WFSA giving.
This funder currently makes grants through four separate grantmaking programs:
The Women and Girls of Color Fund makes grants to Arizona-based organizations that are led by and serve women and girls of color for capacity building and operational support. This program runs an open online application system, and its webpage features a informational video about the application process.
The foundation’s Annual Grants program focuses on organizations in Southern Arizona that support “the economic advancement of women and girls.” Grants generally offer unrestricted operating support in amounts of up to $65,000. The foundation occasionally awards multi-year grants through this program. Grants prioritize organizations and programs that foster measurable impact, increase women’s income and promote policy change that supports women’s economic development. This program accepts letters of intent with a due date in July and offers an information video on its webpage.
The Century Fund, established in 2022, provides “immediate support for nonprofit organizations and individuals facing economic uncertainty following once-in-a-lifetime events, such as national policy crises that affect our communities.” Recent funding has focused on Arizona’s newly restrictive abortion laws. The foundation offers grants of up to $15,000 to organizations working in the areas of “family planning and support services” and grants of $1,500 to individuals in need of family support.
Unidas grants support the work of teens involved in philanthropy in the state of Arizona by awarding grants of $5,000 to a nonprofit of their choice, based on participants’ research and volunteer work with community organizations that “improve the quality of life for women, girls and gender expansive folks.”
The Women’s Foundation of the State of Arizona’s grantmaking has ranged from $1 million to $7 million over the past several years. Individual grant amounts vary by program. This funder tends to give to smaller, community based organizations in Arizona, and grantmaking is restricted to organizations that are led by and support women, with a strong focus on underserved populations. Past grantees include Clinica Amistad, Peace is Loud, the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation and the Arivaca Action Center. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent tax filings.
This foundation accepts applications for each of its programs but eligibility, guidelines and due dates vary by program. Check its grants page periodically for new opportunties and updates. For inquiries, reach out via email or telephone at (520) 622-8886. The foundation’s contact page includes contact information for the organization’s staff.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS: