Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona

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OVERVIEW: The Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona supports organizations and programs that work towards social, political and economic change for women and girls.

IP TAKE: The Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona supports organizations that are led by and serve women of Arizona, with a strong focus on underserved women. It is a relatively low-key funder that awards a small number modest grants in a limited geographical area. Its eligibility requirements are also highly restrictive, as it has strict guidelines on what it considers to be led by and serving women, especially women of color. If your organization is not overwhelmingly female, you may struggle to get the foundation’s attention. Individual programs currently address women’s economic development, philanthropic leadership development, women and girls of color, and Arizona’s newly restrictive abortion law. Eligibility, guidelines and due dates vary by program, so be sure to read each program page before submitting materials.

This is not the most transparent funder, as it does not have a comprehensive database or list of past grants on its website. While its tax filings can be found online, its website only posts the most recent one, so information on its grantmaking habits is limited. Overall, this is a relatively accessible funder. While it accepts applications for the majority of its grants, it does not do so for every program every year, as it often makes multi-year commitments that limit available funding for new grantees. Contact information for staff members is available on the organization’s contact page. Grantseekers may also want to attend one of the foundation’s virtual events to get a betters sense of the foundation’s interests.

PROFILE: Since 1991, the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA), formerly the Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona, has been awarding grants to benefit women and girls. This is a funder that goes beyond just grantmaking to connect, advocate, invest and take action for this cause. The foundation’s mission is to “collaborate to achieve social, political and economic change that empowers women and girls.” Areas of interest for this women’s group funder have included a two-generational approach to needs of low-income single mothers and their children, helping women increase their income and assets, and changing workplace policies to improve conditions for women. Sexual violence, LGBTQ+ issues and healthcare are also strong areas of interest. Current priorities are set by the community-based volunteer board of trustees. Economic security and self-sufficiency are at the heart of WFSA giving. In addition to grants, WFSA’s offerings include donor-advised funds, research, advocacy, and various other resources for nonprofits in its giving area. This funder currently makes grants through four separate grantmaking programs: Annual Grants, Century Fund, Unidas, and Women and Girls of Color Fund.

Grants for Women and Girls:

WFSA’s grantmaking currently consists of four signature programs:

  • The foundation’s Annual Grants program offers unrestricted operating support in amounts of up to $65,000 to organizations in Southern Arizona that support “the economic advancement of women and girls.” The foundation occasionally awards multi-year grants through this program. Grants prioritize organizations and programs that foster measurable impact, increase women’s income and promote policy change that supports women’s economic development. This program accepts letters of intent with a due date in July and offers an information video on its webpage.

  • The Women and Girls of Color Fund makes unrestricted, general operating support grants to Arizona-based organizations that are led by and serve women and girls of color. To be eligible for this grant, the applicant organization must have its highest leadership position and at least 75% of decision-making leadership roles occupied by a women of color, as well as being able to prove that at least 75% of the people it serves are women and girls of color. This program runs an open online application system, and its webpage features a informational video about the application process.

  • The Century Fund, established in 2022, provides “immediate support for nonprofit organizations and individuals facing economic uncertainty following once-in-a-lifetime events, such as national policy crises that affect our communities.” The fund was primarily established to address crises caused by the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court. The foundation offers grants of up to $15,000 to organizations working in the areas of “family planning and support services” and grants of $1,500 to individuals in need of family support.

  • Unidas is a program to teach “young women and gender-expansive folks about leadership, philanthropy, and social justice issues through experience with grantmaking in their own community.” Each year, participants review applications and award a single grant of $5,000 to a nonprofit of their choice, based on participants’ research and volunteer work with community organizations that “improve the quality of life for women, girls and gender expansive folks.”

Past grantees include Beyond the Hurt, Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro, Cihuapactli Collective, Clinica Amistad, Peace is Loud, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, Arivaca Action Center, and Phoenix Legal Action Network.

IMPORTANT GRANT DETAILS:

The Women’s Foundation of the State of Arizona’s grants generally range from $5,000 to $65,000. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent tax filings.

  • WFSA’s funding is restricted to organizations based in and serving the state of Arizona. This funder tends to give to smaller, community based organizations that are led by and support women, with a strong focus on underserved populations.

  • This foundation accepts applications for each of its programs through the Common Grant Application. Eligibility, guidelines, and deadlines vary by program.

  • Grants from donor-advised funds are by invitation only.

For inquiries, reach out via email or telephone at (520) 622-8886. The foundation’s contact page includes contact information for the organization’s staff.

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