Grants and Investments / Grant Reading
Be a part of our grantmaking
We believe that women and girls are the experts of their own lived experiences and should have a seat at the table where funding decisions are made. That’s why each year, we recruit hundreds of Grant Readers to help us during our Community Grant Review Day.
Join Our Community Grant Review Day
During this annual event, individuals of all backgrounds and identities have the opportunity to come together and make important recommendations to ensure our funding decisions reflect the needs of our community.
Grant Captains
Grant Captains (formerly called Leaders or Observers) play an important role in our grantmaking process. Grant Captains help recruit diverse Grant Readers and serve as facilitators on the day of the event. Grant Captains have past grant reading experience and receive special training to learn how to help their group evaluate applications and reach consensus. They guide their groups of Grant Readers through the review process, record final scores and feedback for applicants, and work closely with The Women’s Fund team throughout the entire grants process.
The Grant Captain application will open in late August 2022.
We strive to make our pool of Grant Readers as diverse as possible so that each group is reflective of our vibrant community. We also recognize that people of color and those most marginalized face specific barriers that could prevent them from participating, such as lack of access to transportation or childcare. We are committed to eliminating these barriers. If you are interested in applying and want to discuss how we can make it easier for you to participate, please contact us.
Grant Readers
To be a Grant Reader, you need only one thing: your own perspective. Each Grant Reader brings their unique point of view and lived experience to the decision-making table to help us invest in the very best programs for women and girls.
The 2022 Grant Reader Application will open in late August 2022. Sign up for our email list to be notified when it's live!
Your Commitment
Community Grant Review Day is incredibly inspiring, and as a Grant Reader or Grant Captain, you play an important role in our decision-making process. If you are accepted to be a Grant Reader or Grant Captain, we are counting on your full participation. This includes showing up on time and staying for the entire Community Grant Review Day. Your commitment is essential to ensuring that we are making equitable investments that truly reflect the wisdom of the collective.
Being a Grant Reader is a unique opportunity, and every year, we have a significant waitlist of people who want to participate. If you are accepted and can’t commit to full participation, please consider giving the opportunity to someone else. Thank you in advance for your dedication to social change and your hard work to make it happen!
Your donation makes grants possible
Every grant we make is made possible by grassroots donations. Chip in today to make sure we can make as many grants as possible each year.