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VGIF Grant Application Guidelines

The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund provides small grants for grassroots projects
that empower women and girls in developing countries.

Please read this document carefully before going to the the application form: >>GO TO application form

Please follow these guidelines carefully to assure that your grant application will qualify for review by the project grants committee.

The project under consideration must adhere to the following funding criteria:

• Proposed project addresses empowerment of women and girls, especially their social and economic empowerment

• Proposed project is clearly planned, reflects community/target group participation in the development and design of the project, and is ready for implementation.

• Project proposal contains a realistic timeline of activities.

• If products will be produced, project proposal contains a sales plan.

• Project proposal presents a budget with a clear explanation of all budget items; the amount proposed for funding by VGIF must be no more than $5,000.

• Project proposal addresses sustainability of project after VGIF funding, especially prospects for outreach to maximize community participation.

• Project proposal has clear monitoring and evaluation plan.

• Proposed project will lead to action and positive change.

• Women are well represented in the leadership, staff, and project management of the organization proposing project.

• Organization proposing project demonstrates ability to manage resources and funding from external sources.

• VGIF encourages applications for projects which promote the interest of women and girls in studying science and technology.

To qualify for consideration for funding a project grant application must:

• Be submitted by a nonprofit organization.

• Be submitted in English.

• In order to be considered, your application must provide the following: reliable email address, phone number, or fax number.

• Clearly provide all information requested on the project grant application.

• Provide budget in U.S. dollars only, not to exceed a maximum of $5,000 USD requested of VGIF. All budget items should be broken down (e.g. publication of 1,000 brochures $50). Very broad categories or a single line for the VGIF contribution are not acceptable.

• Include your organizational bylaws. They should be in English if possible. Colleges and universities are exempt from this requirement.

• If accessing by the VGIF web site, please include the Application Number assigned to your application in the box at the top of page 1 where indicated.

• Be sure that your completed application and bylaws are postmarked/e-mailed on or before October 1, 2009 to be considered for possible funding at the VGIF Annual Board Meeting in April 2010.

The VGIF does not award funding for:

• Individual scholarships or fellowships.

• Salaries and/or honoraria to project grant administrators or basic organizational salaries.

• Political organizations.

• Religious groups unless the proposed project itself contributes to the general good of the community.

• The construction of buildings or the purchase of land.

• General operating funds for large organizations. (VGIF will consider funding new special projects within larger organizations, and favors those that would not otherwise be undertaken.)

Additionally,

• Do not revise this form. Your computer generated or typewritten submission may include up to two additional pages to include further details and clarification. Applications exceeding eight pages will NOT be considered.

• VGIF will not return any materials or display submitted with a grant application.

• At its discretion, VGIF reserves the right to give partial funding for any project approved for funding.

VGIF will check the names of the organization, project manager, and others named in your application against the U.S. government's "terrorist" list, which can be found at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn/ . VGIF is not required to report any apparent matches that may arise, and will not do so.

• The organization MUST be able to accept funds through a wire transfer to a bank with a SWIFT number. To determine if your bank has a SWIFT number, go to www.chips.org http://www.chips.org/and use the UID search on the web site menu.

In 2009, VGIF received almost 500 proposals from which 21 were selected for funding. Grants are made based on the quality of the application. Further, it is VGIF’s policy to ensure wide geographic distribution of the funds so that one country or region is not favored in the selection process.

We strongly suggest that you send your applications and bylaws electronically by email attachment to vgif@vgif.org. Materials sent electronically must be received on or before October 1, 2009. Please note that the eight-page limit also applies to electronic submissions.

If electronic submission is not possible: Send an original application with VGIF numbering along with organizational bylaws postmarked on or before October 1, 2009 to the following address:

Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, Inc.

Attention: Executive Director
3 West 29th Street, Suite 1002
New York, New York 10001 USA

If any part of the application has been submitted electronically you do not need to submit a hard copy.

Once your grant application has been received and recorded, you will receive an acknowledging postcard or email from VGIF. Thank you for your interest in the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund.

 

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The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, Inc.
3 West 29th Street, Suite 1002, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. 10001
A 501(3)(c) organization incorporated in the State of N.Y. All donations are tax deductible in the U.S.A. ©2010, VGIF, All rights reserved.