Women’s Fund 2026

The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio is a private nonprofit foundation based in Columbus, Ohio, that specializes in advancing gender equity through philanthropy. The organization embraces a trust-based and capacity-building approach to grantmaking, fostering long-term partnerships with grantees and supporting initiatives that serve women and girls across Central Ohio. With a commitment to minimizing administrative burden, The Women’s Fund streamlines the application process and provides additional support resources to organizations through webinars and office hours. Their grantmaking prioritizes five areas: civic engagement and movement building, health and health education, leadership and empowerment, the social safety net and care economy, and wealth building and career advancement. Organizations supported by The Women’s Fund typically provide services and programs that promote women's leadership, economic independence, healthcare access, political engagement, and career success. Funding is directed towards efforts that dismantle gender norms and apply a gender lens to create systemic change in the lives of women and girls. Projects may include leadership development, advocacy training, health education, and solutions that address pay equity and family support systems. To qualify for funding, applicants must either be a 501(c)(3) organization or have a fiscal sponsor with that status. They must serve women and girls in one or more of the following Central Ohio counties: Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union. Applicants must also align with the Fund’s strategic priorities, address at least one of five identified social change shifts, and demonstrate inclusivity—particularly regarding reproductive rights and LGBTQIA+ communities. Organizations promoting religious activities, political campaigns, or scholarships for individuals are ineligible. The 2026 grant cycle begins with a required Letter of Intent (LOI), which opens on June 13, 2025, and is due by July 15, 2025, at 5 PM ET. A virtual webinar will be held on June 30, 2025, to support new applicants and those unfamiliar with the process. Following LOI review, selected applicants will receive an invitation to submit a full grant application, due by August 29, 2025. The scoring rubric for full applications will be shared with invited applicants in late July. All eligible applications are reviewed by trained community members during Community Grant Review Day, where applications are evaluated based on a structured scoring rubric. The scores are compiled and those above a threshold are forwarded to the Grants Committee, which consists of past grant readers and board members. The committee recommends a slate of finalists to the Board of Directors, who then vote to approve the final list of funded organizations. Approved grantees are notified, and grant checks are distributed following a public announcement. For questions or more information, applicants can reach out to The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio at their office in Columbus or by calling 614-225-9926. The Fund encourages ongoing engagement with their programs and community updates via their website or email list.

A virtual webinar and office hours are offered to guide applicants.