CFOV Women’s Giving Circle Grant

The Women’s Giving Circle is a philanthropic initiative operated under the umbrella of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley. Focused on uplifting women and girls within select counties of West Virginia and Ohio, the fund reflects the Foundation’s commitment to gender equity, community development, and localized impact. This grant opportunity invites proposals from eligible organizations that are strategically addressing key challenges faced by women in the community, including gaps in education, healthcare, personal safety, and socioeconomic empowerment. The program is specifically focused on organizations that serve Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties in West Virginia, as well as Belmont and Jefferson Counties in Ohio. Proposed initiatives must align with one or more of the fund’s core goals: enhancing life skills among women and girls (such as in Pre-K through 12 education, mental and physical health, or economic empowerment), supporting the personal growth and leadership capacity of young girls, or raising awareness of gender-based inequities within the community. Only organizations with 501(c)(3) status or similar government entities are eligible to apply. The fund explicitly excludes applications from organizations that promote religious or political ideologies, as well as requests for capital campaigns, special events, advertising, intermediary funding, or scholarships. Each organization is permitted to submit only one grant request per cycle. The grant cycle opens for applications on November 3, 2025, and closes on December 18, 2025. Applications are submitted through Foundant Technologies, with the system only accessible during the application window. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to delay submission, as technical support is not guaranteed close to the deadline. Assistance with online accounts is available by contacting the program administrator via phone or email. Awards are expected to be announced in late January or early February. The typical grant award in previous years has been around $7,000, with a maximum request limit of $10,000. All funded projects must be completed within 12 months of the award date. Grantees are required to submit final reports through the online system used during application. An Advisory Committee, comprised of members of the Women’s Giving Circle, will be responsible for reviewing applications and making final funding decisions.

Do not wait until the last few days to submit; technical support is not guaranteed on the deadline.