Women’s Fund Grants

The Women’s Fund Grants program is one of the discretionary funding initiatives offered by the Steuben County Community Foundation (SCCF), a private philanthropic organization based in Indiana. SCCF's mission is to connect people who care with needs that matter in the Steuben County area. Each year, the foundation awards more than $1.6 million to various nonprofit initiatives and community efforts. The foundation operates several grantmaking cycles, including those for Health & Human Services, Education, Arts & Culture, and its dedicated Women’s Fund, which is specifically designed to address the needs of women and girls in Steuben County. The Women’s Fund Grants provide targeted support for nonprofit projects that primarily serve women and girls residing in Steuben County. Applications are reviewed twice annually, with two defined funding cycles. The spring cycle opens on March 1 and closes on May 31, while the fall cycle runs from July 1 through September 30. All grant applications must be submitted through SCCF’s online portal. The foundation emphasizes collaborative projects, especially those that align with the applicant organization's mission and have formal approval from their board, as demonstrated by official meeting minutes. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations serving Steuben County. Organizations based outside the county may also apply if the majority of their services or beneficiaries are located within Steuben County. Individuals, political campaigns, religious activities that do not serve the broader community, and fundraising campaigns are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Additionally, organizations with outstanding reports or those that have received funding for the same project for three consecutive years are not eligible. SCCF does not support projects that duplicate existing services without collaboration or those solely funded by SCCF. Acceptable project categories include new initiatives, capacity building, and existing programs that aim to improve quality of life for local women and girls. Applications are evaluated based on sustainability, collaboration, duplication of services, measurable outcomes, and demonstrated community impact. Specific attention is given to proposals that identify root causes of challenges and suggest innovative and sustainable solutions. Funding decisions typically occur 60 to 75 days after the close of each grant cycle. Successful applicants must sign a grant agreement that outlines usage and outcome expectations. Final reports with measurable data and photos representing the funded project are required from all recipients. Grant sizes for discretionary cycles such as this one generally range between $500 and $25,000. There is no indication of a required match for the Women’s Fund Grants. Applicants with questions or those applying for the first time are encouraged to contact SCCF’s office at (260) 665-6656 for guidance. Resources such as SMART goal setting templates and logic model examples are also available on SCCF’s website to assist in application preparation. This grant cycle recurs annually in two parts, making it a consistent funding opportunity for qualified organizations aiming to uplift women and girls in the community.

Engage clients to validate project need, collaborate with other organizations, show prior success, and use SCCF’s online resources such as SMART goals and logic models.