Guidelines
Greenville Women Giving is committed to diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and accountability in our GRANT-MAKING, programming, leadership and membership.
Grant Process
In 2023, GWG intends to award at least one grant in each of our five focus areas: Arts, Education, Environment, Health, and Human Services. The top-ranked grant request in each of the five focus areas will be awarded, but we will not attempt to fund each category equally. The remainder of the funds will be distributed to organizations, based on GWG members’ votes, without regard to focus. For 2023, all grant awards will range from $50,000 to $100,000 and be for either a one-year or two-year period.
The grants pool is comprised of annual contributions of $1,000 from each member of Greenville Women Giving and any additional donations designated for this purpose. All monies contributed to the fund will be awarded at the Spring Annual Meeting.
The Grants Review Committee researches, analyzes and assesses each grant request to determine community need and potential impact, as well as the fiscal responsibility, feasibility and sustainability of each requesting organization. This decision-making process is thorough and participative.
The Grants Review Committee determines which organizations are to receive further consideration in the form of a site visit between GRC members and organization representatives. Site visits typically take place from mid-January to early February. Applicants are expected to meet with GRC Members in a timely fashion.
The Grants Review Committee selects a slate of proposals to be placed on the ballot presented to the membership for their vote.
Ballot finalists are expected to send two representatives to the Ballot Showcase that will be held in April for all members of GWG to gain a better understanding of the grants on the final ballot.
Each member of Greenville Women Giving votes by ranking the proposals listed on the ballot.
Each successfully funded organization will be obligated to meet the requirements of the Greenville Women Giving Grants Assessment Committee, including filing progress and final reports.
Eligibility for Funding
Applicants must qualify as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal revenue Code, either per se or under the auspices of a qualified fiscal agent or be classified as a unit of government.
Organizations must provide services in Greenville County, South Carolina.
Each organization may submit only one application per year. Exceptions are made for organizations that have five or more locations within Greenville County AND have at least 5,000 employees.
Grants funded for a one-year term in May 2023 must be able to be completed by June 30, 2024; two-year grants funded in May 2023, must be completed by June 30, 2025.
Generally, there are no limits to the number of times an organization may apply for a GWG grant. However, an organization may not apply for a new grant prior to the completion of a current grant. The application deadline for new grants is at the end of November each year. Annual GWG grant cycles run from May (when grants are awarded) until June of the following year (when the completion of grant assessments are required). Organizations are not eligible to apply for another grant until after the end of the grant cycle for which they have received funding and until after all grant assessment requirements related to prior grants have been completed. An organization which has not received final approval of its grant by August 1st is NOT eligible to apply again until the next calendar year. The following outlines typical timelines of grants:
Year Grant Term of End of Grant Next Eligible
Awarded Grant Cycle Application*
2021 1 Year June 2022 November 2022
2022 1 Year June 2023 November 2023
2022 2 Year June 2024 November 2024
2023 1 Year June 2024 November 2024
2023 2 Year June 2025 November 2025
*assuming grant assessment is completed
Funding Priorities
The intent of Greenville Women Giving is to award grants that have the potential for high impact and significant positive change in the Greenville Community. Therefore, GWG gives priority to grants that:
- Focus on funding areas of Arts, Education, Environment, Health and Human Services
- Support an organization’s mission
- Address high impact community needs
- Offer opportunities for collaboration and foster partnerships, as well as leverage other funding sources
- Demonstrate the ability to achieve measurable results, provide clear action steps and a reasonable timeline
- Clearly reflect how the grant funds will be used to accomplish the outlined goals and objectives
Areas Not Funded
Greenville Women Giving does NOT provide funding for:
- Endowments
- Conferences and staff travel expenses
- Re-granting to other organizations
- Grants that are restricted to specific religious or political views*
- Organizations not providing services in Greenville County
*Funding may be awarded to faith-based organizations with programs that meet our guidelines and are open to all regardless of religious affiliation.