Rapid Response General Operating Fund

The 2025 Rapid Response General Operating Fund (RRGOF), managed by WOMEN’S WAY, provides urgent, unrestricted financial support to nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable communities across the Greater Philadelphia region. WOMEN’S WAY is a prominent nonprofit organization in this region, known for its commitment to achieving gender equity through strategic education, advocacy, research, and funding efforts. This specific fund is part of WOMEN’S WAY’s broader history of rapid response initiatives, building on past programs such as the Immediate Response Action Fund (IRAF), which has awarded over $610,000 to 67 organizations since 2017. Launched on June 16, 2025, the 2025 RRGOF operates as a pooled funding model, currently totaling $160,000 through contributions from institutional partners like the Patricia Kind Family Foundation, Philadelphia Kids in Care, anonymous donors, and WOMEN’S WAY’s internal investments. The fund provides up to $10,000 in general operating support to eligible organizations. These funds are intentionally flexible and unrestricted, allowing grantees to allocate resources according to their most pressing needs. The fund prioritizes nonprofits that serve communities disproportionately impacted by socio-political challenges. This includes immigrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals, BIPOC populations, low-income communities, and those seeking reproductive healthcare. Additionally, organizations facing a significant loss of funding due to current events are given priority consideration. All funds are directed entirely to grants, with no overhead or administrative costs deducted. To qualify, an organization must have been operational for at least two years, serve women, girls, and/or trans/gender non-conforming individuals, and operate in at least one of eight covered counties: Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Gloucester, Burlington, and Camden. Organizations must be either registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a fiscal sponsor, and must align with WOMEN’S WAY's policy positions, particularly regarding reproductive healthcare. Eligible organizations must also show how the funding will enhance their organizational and programmatic capacity in areas such as reproductive justice, gender-based violence prevention, or economic justice. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and decisions are made within ten business days of receiving a complete submission. The process is streamlined, ensuring rapid deployment of funds to organizations in need. Applications will be accepted until the entire fund has been distributed. Interested applicants must use the official online submission form, as email applications will not be considered. For questions about investments or contributions to the fund, contact Diane Cornman-Levy, Chief Disruptor, at dcornmanlevy@womensway.org. For inquiries about application status or requirements, reach out to Jessica Muslin at jmuslin@womensway.org or call (215) 985-3322 ext 226. The fund remains open as long as funding is available, and rolling submissions will continue until the total allocation is exhausted.