O’Dell Women’s Center Foundation Grant

The O’Dell Women’s Center Foundation, an initiative based in Springfield, Massachusetts, is entering its second year of grantmaking with a significant expansion in funding support. The foundation, which focuses on advancing equity for low-income women, has announced a total commitment of $500,000 in grant funds for 2025. This figure represents a doubling of its previous year's funding allocation, reflecting the foundation's strong commitment to community development and empowerment. The foundation was established with a mission to address the systemic and economic barriers that disproportionately affect women with limited means, specifically in the Springfield area. The primary aim of the 2025 grant cycle is to bolster nonprofit organizations that serve low-income women by promoting education, career development, and workforce readiness. The Foundation also recognizes that achieving economic mobility is not possible without addressing the structural challenges that many women face daily. Therefore, funding is also available for nonprofits tackling critical social determinants of opportunity, such as food insecurity, childcare access, transportation barriers, and housing instability. This dual focus ensures that both direct service providers and systemic change agents can access resources to further their missions. Eligible applicants for this grant are nonprofit organizations operating in Springfield, Massachusetts. Grants will range from $10,000 to $75,000 per awardee. The foundation encourages submissions that propose innovative, feasible, and high-impact strategies. While no matching funds are required, proposals will be evaluated for their potential to deliver efficient and relevant solutions in today’s rapidly evolving social and economic landscape. The 2025 grant application process opens on July 1, 2025. An optional but recommended virtual information session will be held on July 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Applications are due by September 5, 2025, and award announcements are scheduled for November 7, 2025. These dates provide applicants with a clear timeline and multiple engagement points to ensure preparedness and alignment with the foundation’s priorities. Applications will be reviewed based on three key criteria: innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. The foundation particularly seeks approaches that introduce new methods for service delivery or remove longstanding barriers faced by low-income women. Emphasis will be placed on proposals that demonstrate a clear understanding of local needs and articulate measurable outcomes. All inquiries regarding the grant program can be directed to grants@odellwomenscenter.com. The O’Dell Women’s Center is located at 45 Lyman Street, Springfield, MA 01103. Leadership for the foundation includes Keely Krantz, Founder and President, and Margaret Tantillo, Executive Director, both of whom have emphasized their intent to serve as long-term strategic partners for the nonprofit community in Springfield. Their vision is to create a city where every woman—regardless of her background—has the opportunity to thrive.