Receive - Women's Foundation of Colorado

Statewide Direct Service Granting Program
(formerly Flex Fund)

(Open to all organizations meeting granting criteria)

Background and Overview:

Through its Direct Service Granting Program, The Women's Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) will grant funds (up to $5,000) to organizations throughout the state that are addressing various aspects of economic self-sufficiency, either by providing direct services or systems change efforts for both women and girls.

If organizations believe they qualify for this funding program, they should download and use the Direct Service Fund Granting Guidelines and Application when responding to this potential funding opportunity. Organizations should not exceed page guidelines and should answer all questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Women's Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical and mental ability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law.

Granting Procedures Timeline:

The 2008 application cycle is now closed.
April 25 - July 22, 2008: Proposals meeting the requirements and guidelines are reviewed by a Program Committee made up of Foundation Board Members and volunteers. During this time, committee members will be highly encouraged to join a site visit with Foundation staff.
August 1, 2008: Your organization will be contacted, via e-mail, regarding the status of your proposal.
Month of August, 2008: A Granting Award Contract will be sent to selected organizations for signature. Upon receipt of a signed contract, The Foundation will disburse funds to your organization for the scope of work indicated in the contract.

Funding Program Areas:

The WFCO will earmark Direct Service Grants (up to $5,000) to support nonprofit organizations for work being conducted in the following areas only:

Education, Employment and Training:

Training for the transition from school to work for girls and women
GED training for girls and women
Non-traditional education courses for at-risk girls and women
Science and technology education for girls and women
College preparation for girls and women
Other Education and Training programs that your organization may support on behalf of girls and women

Job Opportunity:

Educational enhancement: career exploration, career preparation and leadership building skills for low to moderate-income girls and women
Skill building for employment for women and girls
Job training and job placement
Removing barriers to technology for women and girls
Pre-employment skills: job-related support services such as resume, interviewing techniques, professional coaching
Non-traditional employment opportunities; e.g., truck driving school and construction training for women
Other Job Opportunity skills that your organization may support on behalf of women and girls

Financial Literacy

Budgeting classes for women and girls
Training regarding personal money management, checking, savings, investments, housing, mortgages, etc.
Personal savings account and individual development accounts (IDA) training
Teaching women and girls to discuss money openly. Understanding the power for money and how to manage it effectively
Other Financial Literacy programs that your organization supports on behalf of women and girls

What We Do Not Fund:

Because the following is not core to our mission or because we feel we would be duplicating efforts of other Foundations, The Women's Foundation of Colorado currently does not fund: