How our Grant Process Works

At Project W, our grantmaking is guided by the power of collective giving and the shared commitment of our members. Each member of our giving circle donates $550 per year, with $500 distributed to grantees and $50 dedicated to administrative costs. Additional donations from members, partners, and general donors also help grow the total funds available.

Each fall, we welcome nonprofit organizations in Delaware County to submit a Letter of Inquiry, the first step in the application process for one of our four Focus Areas: Education, Family, Health, and Small Grants. Every Project W member has the opportunity to review each submission and decide which organizations will be invited to submit a full grant application. Committee members spend time over a two-month period taking a deeper look at each organization. This work includes reviewing proposals, scoring each application with a clear rubric, conducting site visits, and, ultimately, selecting one deserving organization for each focus area — four grants in total. These organizations are notified in advance and invited to our annual celebration held each June when the grants are awarded.

The annual celebration and other Women Connect events are opportunities to celebrate our members, our impact, and, most importantly, our grant winners. Representatives and, often, clients come to share their stories, reinforcing the impact. See four incredibly deserving organizations who won this year’s award.