Women in Philanthropy (WIP) is preparing to effectively respond to the most immediate needs of women, girls, and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. During these challenging times, we want to share how we are working to ensure that critical needs are being addressed responsively in line with the goals of Women in Philanthropy.

Through generous support from WIP supporters, Women in Philanthropy is able to actively respond to the COVID-19 outbreak and provide funding and grant support in a number of ways. WIP is providing $30,000 in funding to support low-to-moderate-income women and girls and their families during the COVID-19 crisis, through a COVID-19 grants program and a newly established business relief fund.

WIP will provide two $10,000 grants in 2020, awarded to nonprofit organizations serving the needs of low-to-moderate-income women, girls, and their families during the COVID-19 outbreak and the recovery phase. One grant will be awarded to an organization providing virtual learning in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) fields, particularly during this unique time when women and families are required to oversee education in the home, while the other grant will support front-line organizations providing critical services for women during this crisis.

Nonprofits will be able to apply for these COVID-19 grants through the shared grant portal related to COVID-19 funding administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation in partnership with NEPA Grantmakers and various regional funders. Interested applicants will want to ensure they indicate “Women & Girls” as one of the categories for the “Organization best designated as” question.

Through the Scranton Area Community Foundation, Women in Philanthropy has established the Women in Philanthropy Business Relief Fund, a non-endowed hardship fund for women-owned small businesses in Lackawanna County who are facing challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Women in Philanthropy Business Relief Fund will provide ten (10) $1,000 mini-grants to support women-owned small businesses in Lackawanna County. This funding aims to bridge the gap until the Small Business Association loan program becomes available to business owners. Through the Scranton Area Community Foundation, WIP will provide the initial seed funding of $10,000 and will have the opportunity to fundraise to build additional resources through the fund. 

Who can apply?
Women-owned small businesses in Lackawanna County who are facing challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak are encouraged to apply. Applicants committed to community service and who serve a low-to-moderate-income population or who operate in a low-to-moderate-income neighborhood will be given preference. To remain compliant with charitable requirements, an advisory committee will review all applications and make funding recommendations.

Applicants will need to meet the requirements (operate in Lackawanna County, be at least 51% or more owned by a woman/women), explain their need for the grant, detail their projected use of the grant, and commit to “paying it forward”—either through a future monetary donation or through service/volunteering.

Applicants must apply online, through an online grants management portal, managed by the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Please note that all grant requests are handled through the online portal; no paper or emailed applications will be accepted. The online grants management portal can be accessed here. Questions about this process can be answered via email at grants@safdn.org.

Women in Philanthropy realizes that many women who are participating in the Matched Savings Program may have a need to access saved capital sooner than they intended prior to the pandemic. In response, WIP will provide the opportunity for participants to request the match early for those who have begun to save and who are in need of accessible resources.

United Neighborhood Centers (UNC), who is administering the Matched Savings Program for WIP, will manage this process. Interested Matched Savings Program participants will need to provide specific information on how they will use the savings and matching dollars to address their particular hardship during this crisis.

Thank you for your support! 

Women in Philanthropy supporters play an active role in changing the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania in transformational ways.

We are incredibly grateful for your support of Women in Philanthropy.  It is only because of you that Women in Philanthropy is able to support so many women, children, and their families across Northeastern Pennsylvania. We wish you the best of health for you and your loved ones during these difficult times.