Grant applications will open in June 2016
Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF) provides small grants up to $7,500 USD to grassroots projects that are led by women and that help empower women and girls, in developing countries around the world. Over the years, VGIF has funded over 475 projects in 89 countries addressing specific challenges faced by women and girls.
VGIF small grants are for one year. A limited number of grants are available for multi-year projects. VGIF may invite successful one year grantees to submit a proposal for a three-year grant. The budget amount requested from VGIF must not exceed $7,500 USD.
Focus Areas
- Economic empowerment
- Community development
- Health and nutritional support
- Literacy and leadership training
- Educational seminars and workshops Promoting education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for girls
- Women’s human rights
Grant Types
In addition to the regular grant guidelines, there are currently four special funds created to provide grant funding for specific types of projects.
- Erna Hamburger Fund (EHF): This Fund is for projects that encourage the education of young girls in developing countries in the areas of mathematics, science and engineering
- Asian Regional Endowment (ARE): This Fund is for projects all over Asia. The Fund was established in 1997 as VGIF’s first regional fund.
- Central/South America/Caribbean Regional Endowment Fund (CSACRE): This Fund is for innovative and entrepreneurial projects in Central/South America and the Caribbean region. The Fund was established in 2006 to better target, and ensure funding for, this region.
- Leaders Fund (LF): This Fund is for cutting-edge, innovative, or entrepreneurial projects.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant can be from anywhere around the world and the project must be women led empowering women in developing countries.
- VGIF will consider funding organizations located outside of the country where the project will be implemented only when most or all of the project leadership and staff are locally based.
- GIF does not support:
- Individual scholarships and tuition
- The purchase of land
- Political organizations, political campaigns, or projects that aim to influence specific legislation
- Religious groups, unless the proposed project contributes to the general good of the community Organizations that discriminate against individuals or groups based on gender, age, race, caste, color, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.
How to Apply
- VGIF has a two-step process for grant applications. The first step is the Letter of Intent (LOI).
- To submit an application, applicant must first submit an LOI online.
- Selected LOIs will be invited to apply for funding.
For more information, please visit VGIF grants 2016.