OVERVIEW: This funder supports causes for anti-violence, safety, economic security, health, sexual rights, civic engagement, and reproductive justice that benefit women and girls in New York City.
FUNDING AREAS: Women and girls, anti-violence, safety, economic security, health, sexual rights, civic engagement, reproductive justice
IP TAKE: There are also some great opportunities for transgender and non-binary gender youth with this funder. Keep an eye on the multi-funder collaboration called NYC Fund for Girls & Young Women of Color. A lot of powerful forces are behind this fund, and big things are already happening with it.
PROFILE: The New York Women’s Foundation (NYWF) aims to create equity and justice for women and families with cross-cultural alliances, and bold community-led solutions in the city. It was established by a small group of women in 1987 and has become one of the top leaders in funding for women and girls in the country today. Its grantmaking “is rooted in gender, racial, and economic justice, based on trust, and guided by community.” Funding areas include Economic Justice, Safety & Healing Justice, Health Equity & Reproductive Justice, and Expanding Democracy & Leadership. All of these issues are viewed through a gender lens to create better lives for women and girls. All five boroughs and city-wide programs are supported by this funder. Priority is given to women-led, grassroots organizations working on economic issues for underserved women and girls. However, it does not fund direct services for women.
Grants for Violence Prevention
Anti-violence and Safety & Healing Justice grants are awarded to organizations and programs for underserved communities addressing issues of partner violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and trafficking. NYWF is a big funder for anti-domestic violence and empowering women to build lives free from violence.
Grants for Work and Economic Opportunity
Economic security is a huge issue here, and grants are awarded for Economic Justice for women and girls through education, employment, work supports, training, and asset building. Grants are regularly awarded to organizations and programs for high school completion, job training and placement, financial literacy, and basic adult education.
Grants for Public Health and Access, Women and Girls, and LGBTQ
Health, sexual rights, and reproductive justice is the third focus area at NYWF, and Health Equity & Reproductive Justice grantmaking is focused on helping women, girls, and transgender individuals take control of their own health and well-being. Typical funding goes towards comprehensive health care services, access to health insurance, sexuality and reproductive rights, and access to healthy food.
Grants for Democracy and Civic Engagement
The foundation’s Expanding Democracy & Leadership focus area supports “movements that strengthen and expand democratic participation, political empowerment, and women’s leadership with a focus on building the power of immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and communities of color.” Grants from this program have gone to Higher Heights Leadership fund, 21 in ’21, which helped elect the first ever majority women New York City Council in 2021, and Young Invincibles, which works to amplify the voices of young people in the political process.
Important Grant Details
This foundation likes to support organizations it has worked with in the past. A list of past grantees can be viewed on the foundation website. Grants range from $5,000 to $500,000; however, $60,000 is the most common amount. Grantseekers should keep in mind that NYWF does not give money to public or private schools, capital projects, summer-only programs, loans, or needs assessments. Only organizations located in and serving New York City are considered for grants.
Current financial data can be viewed here. Grant inquiries can be directed to the staff at programs@nywf.org or 212-515-6993. Keep up with this funder at its Newsroom.
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