DEADLINE EXTENDED TO Monday, May 21, 2018
The Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC) consists of up to 20 young women from Springfield between the ages of 12 and 24. Through the Women’s Fund leadership development program and mentoring relationships with adult Steering Committee members, these young women investigated barriers, explored solutions, and made recommendations for positive change in their community.
During the nine-month program, the YWAC participants completed sessions on youth leadership, activism, and grantmaking to develop a youth-led grantmaking strategy and a set of recommendations that will be published in a blueprint for action addressing barriers young women face in Springfield. Four priority areas were defined and will be funded with mini-grants as part of their final project.
Through a partnership with The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the young women will be able to award four, $2,500 proposals with the intention of addressing women in leadership; rape culture; mental health; and economic, community, and workforce development.
Each of the four mini-grants can be used to implement a small project or supplement an existing curriculum or program in the community. The YWAC will form committees to review the submitted grant proposals and may conduct site visits or phone interviews with applicants. The organizations receiving the grants are encouraged, but not required, to offer volunteer opportunities or additional areas of learning for the young women in the respective task forces.
Priority Areas:
To learn more about each priority area and to apply for a mini-grant, click the link of the priority that best suits your needs.
All applications must be submitted by Monday, May 14, 2018. (DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED to Monday, May 21, 2018) Organizations must submit documentation of their 501(c) (3) status and show how this program amplifies their mission. If you have any questions, contact cmonska@mywomensfund.org.
