Mary’s Pence is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding grassroots efforts that center women’s leadership and promote social justice. The organization specifically funds initiatives that are led by women—cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary individuals—and focuses on projects based in and addressing issues within the United States. Their grants aim to support small nonprofits or fiscally-sponsored groups that foster long-term, sustainable change rooted in community collaboration and equity.
The Mary’s Pence Grants Program funds projects that are women-led and focused on gender justice. Eligible organizations must have at least 50 percent of their board and staff composed of women (cis, trans, or nonbinary), maintain an annual organizational budget under $250,000, and be located in the United States. Projects must also be community-centered, meaning they emerge from a need identified within the impacted community and are collaboratively developed and led by community members. These efforts must aim to shift public opinion, challenge unjust structures, and build leadership and organizing capacity among participants.
Mary’s Pence emphasizes funding projects that focus on social justice actions such as advocating for human dignity, economic security, participation in governance, care for the environment, and nonviolence. Grantees receive more than just financial support; the program includes capacity building grants, mid-cycle check-ins, grantee retreats, and internship matching opportunities. These additional supports are designed to foster a holistic and sustainable development of the organizations.
The grant process begins with the submission of an Initial Funding Inquiry (IFI), which can be sent via email or through their online platform. For the fall grant cycle, the IFI is due June 15, followed by the full grant application due August 1 for invited applicants. The spring cycle follows the same process with deadlines on December 15 and February 1 respectively. Award notifications follow a thorough review by the Grants Committee. Unsuccessful applicants are offered feedback.
The maximum grant award is $7,500, and organizations may receive up to three grants during their lifetime. Organizations with large government grants or significant service contracts are generally ineligible. Businesses or LLCs are also not eligible. The funder encourages participation in information sessions to clarify eligibility and improve application quality. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for April 29, August 20, and November 5, 2025, all at 12 noon Central Time.
The program contact is Erin Williams Rodriguez, the Grants Program Manager. She can be reached at erin@maryspence.org or by phone at 651-788-9869. Additional information, including grant criteria and application materials, is available in both English and Spanish via their website and by request.
