The Women’s Leadership Council Micro-Grant Award, offered through the Southern Illinois University (SIU) Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Council (WLC), provides targeted financial support for projects designed to empower women across the university campus. With award amounts ranging from $500 to $1,500, the micro-grant is intended to initiate or support innovative, women-led programs that enhance the learning experiences and campus engagement of women students, faculty, and staff at SIU. The WLC emphasizes funding initiatives that align with its mission to amplify women's voices and leadership in academic and professional environments.
The WLC prioritizes proposals that demonstrate a clear and direct impact on student learning and engagement. Applications serving as fundraising mechanisms for external nonprofit organizations will not be considered. Furthermore, the fund is not designed to support ongoing or operational costs such as salaries or stipends. Food, prizes, or giveaways are also generally ineligible expenses. The primary funding target is new initiatives that require seed capital to launch; however, existing programs may apply if they present a substantially new component or a compelling need for continued support beyond their first year.
Eligibility is limited to members of the SIU community, including students, faculty, and staff, and the proposed activities must benefit the SIU campus community. Applications must include a detailed program or event summary, a full budget outlining the total cost and the amount requested from the WLC, a justification for financial need, program goals, and an explanation of the intended impact on the campus community. A timeline and evaluation plan must also be provided.
The application process opens in advance of the December 12, 2025 deadline. Finalists will be notified in March 2026, followed by interviews with the WLC Board of Directors in April. Award recipients will be announced in May 2026, with funds disbursed beginning July 2026. Final program evaluations must be submitted within 30 days of project completion or by May 1, 2027, whichever comes first.
No match funding is required, and the micro-grant is well-suited to new initiatives seeking a modest but meaningful boost in resources. Applicants are encouraged to provide a sustainability plan describing how the program will continue after WLC support ends. The funder can be contacted through the SIU Foundation for any inquiries related to the application process.
Preference is given to new projects; ensure proposals show clear learning impact and avoid ineligible costs such as food or prizes.
