Community Action Grants provide funding to individuals, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations as well as community-based nonprofits for general operating support and innovative projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. Since 1972, AAUW has provided support to hundreds of communities across the United States.
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AAUW Community Action Grants
Aim and Benefits of AAUW Community Action Grants
AAUW Funding is up to $3,000-$10,000
Requirements for AAUW Community Action Grants Qualification
- Applicants must be individuals, AAUW branches, AAUW state organizations or local community-based nonprofit organizations (including universities).
- The organization and proposed activities must promote education and equity for women and girls.
- There are two types of support:
- Project support: Open to nonprofit organizations and universities, AAUW branches or state organizations, and individuals.
- General operating support: Open to nonprofit organizations.
- Nonprofit organizations and universities must be based in the United States or its territories.
- Organizations (including universities) must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. AAUW branch and state applicants must have 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status. \
- Proposals from AAUW branches or states must be approved and signed by the branch or state president.
- Proposals from local community-based nonprofit organizations must be approved and signed by the organization’s executive director.
- Previous Community Action Grant awardees must wait three application cycles before applying for another grant and may not apply for duplicate funding.
- Members of the AAUW Board of Directors, committees, panels, task forces and staff, including current interns, are not eligible to apply for AAUW’s fellowships and grants. A person holding a current award is eligible for election or appointment to boards, committees, panels, and task forces.
Interview date, Process and Venue for AAUW Community Action Grants
The panel meets once a year to review applications for funding. Awards are based on the criteria outlined here. The panel’s recommendations are subject to final approval by AAUW. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis according to funds available in a given fiscal year.
To ensure a fair review process, AAUW does not comment on the deliberations of the awards panels. AAUW does not provide written or oral evaluations of applicants. No provisions exist for reconsideration of grant proposals. Applications and supporting documents become the sole property of AAUW and will not be returned or held for another year.
The following criteria apply to the selection of Community Action Grants:
- Relevance of the entity’s programmatic work or proposed project to the mission of AAUW and direct, positive impact on education and equity for women and girls.
- Strength of the entity’s programmatic work or project rationale — the programmatic work or project meets a demonstrable, documented local need
- Clarity and creativity of the programmatic work or project design — the programmatic work or project has (1) clear and specific outcomes and (2) is original and/or innovative in its approach to achieving those outcomes.
- Sustainability/impact of the programmatic work or project — the programmatic work or project (1) reaches underserved audiences, (2) builds connections with diverse individuals and organizations, (3) has potential for AAUW branch or state involvement/visibility, (4) has potential for long-term impact, and (5) has potential for long-term sustainability beyond the grant period.
- Feasibility of the programmatic work or project — (1) programmatic work or specific proposed project activities will logically lead to desired outcomes/achievement of goals, (2) the programmatic work or project has realistic time frames, (3) the organizational or project budget is adequate and expenses are justified in the budget narrative, (4) there is adequate support from collaborative organizations and community partners, (5) the executive or project director is qualified to direct the programmatic work or project, and if an AAUW branch, AAUW state, or nonprofit applicant, the organization has the capacity to carry out the programmatic work or project.
- Strength of the evaluation plan — (1) specific evaluation methods are proposed to measure short-term, medium-term, and long-term results, (2) proposed evaluation methods are logical measures of projected outcomes, and (3) resources are adequate to support the proposed methods.
- Strength of the dissemination plan — (1) specific dissemination methods are identified, (2) a realistic plan is provided to implement the dissemination, and (3) resources are adequate to support proposed dissemination.
- Overall quality of the proposal — the proposal is clear and convincing.
- Potential for and/or commitment of additional funds and involvement from community organizations and/or businesses.
- Individual or organization’s leadership are from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds.?
Timeline
August 1, 2023
Application opens.
November 15, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Deadline for online submission of application and supporting documents.
April 15, 2024
Notification of decisions emailed to applicants. AAUW is not able to honor requests for earlier notification.
July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025
Grant year
When a date falls on a weekend or holiday, the date will be observed on the following business day.
Documents Required for Application
- Applicants applying as nonprofit organizations (including academic institutions):?
- Proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (i.e., IRS determination letter)?
- Organizational Summary Form (available in the application)?
- Applicants applying as AAUW branches or state organizations:?
- Proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or 501 (c)(4) status (i.e., IRS determination letter)?
- Organizational Summary Form (available in the application)?
- Applicants working with organizations that will act as collaborative partners on the project:?
- Proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (i.e., IRS determination letter) for each collaborative partner?
- Organizational Summary Form (available in the application) for each collaborative partner?
- General Operating Support applicants?
- Most recent 990
- Current fiscal year’s operating budget?
- Current fiscal year statement of financial position (i.e., balance sheet)?
- Current fiscal year statement of activities (i.e., profit-and-loss Statement)?
Application Deadline
November 15, 2023
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
American Association of University Women (AAUW) on aauw.applyists.net to apply
Start by clicking on the Apply Now button above to access the application and create an account through our vendor site. Complete all required components in the following areas.
- Start
- Background
- Proposal
- Documents & Review
For more details visit: AAUW website.
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