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Timeline for the Grants Process
| July 22, 2024 | Application Period Opens |
| September 24, 2024 | Application Period Closes |
| November 13, 2024 | Semi-Finalists Pitch at "Shark Tank" |
| December 2024 | Grant Recipients are announced |
Application Process
We will review all submitted applications to ensure that applicants meet our eligibility requirements. Applications that pass our initial screening will move on to our Grant Committee, which will review applications in the month of October. In early November, semi-finalists will be contacted and requested to pitch later in November.Semi-Finalist Pitch Week
The Business Women’s Giving Circle (“BWGC”) of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia awards grants to support innovative STEM opportunities for girls and young women in our region. In November, we hear pitches from our semifinalist grant applicants to develop the slate of grant winners. Each semifinalist presents, or “pitches” their program, and then addresses questions from BWGC members. After the pitches have concluded, the assembled members deliberate, document feedback for the presenter, and develop a recommended slate of grantees which is later presented to the full membership for approval. BWGC Members vote on the slate of finalists to select grantees.Grant Recipients Announced
In December, Grant Recipients will be contacted and notified. Once grantees have completed acceptance, a press release will announce the recipients.Grantee Celebration
In January, Grantees will present their organization again to all members, donors, and key stakeholders. This is an opportunity to share how the funds will be utilized and other volunteer opportunities that may exist.Eligibility Requirements & FAQ’s
Grant Application Portal
To apply, update, or submit a grant application, access the grants portal here:Grants Portal
You will be instructed to set up an organizational profile before applying. If your organization has applied in the past, please contact the Community Foundation staff to gain access to the organization profile that was already established. Please do not set up a new profile unless you are sure your organization has not applied previously.
Who can apply?
- Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or organizations providing charitable or educational services including preschools, K-12 public schools, and colleges and universities. Local, state and federal government entities are not eligible to apply.
- The BWGC grant cycle supports nonprofit organizations and schools that provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs to girls and young women, preschool through college-age in Northern Virginia, with an emphasis on innovative program components such as entrepreneurship, leadership or mentorship.
- Grant requests for program support will be considered; applications for general organizational support were not considered. Funding for both existing and new programs was considered. Applications for capital improvements, endowments, or scholarship awards were not considered.
- Grants were made to organizations providing services in Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park).
- Only one application per organization will be considered.
Questions?Please contact Gabrielle Webster, Director of Donor Relations.
703 347 7419 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
