Grant Policies, Procedures and Principles

Women Ambassadors for Business provides grants to organizations that are considered exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. At each of our luncheons, we feature a guest speaker representing a local non-profit organization. The founder, or an executive of the non-profit, shares information about the important work she is doing. It is our pleasure to donate a portion of the profit we generated from the day’s event to the non-profit organization in the form of a grant. To apply to Women Ambassadors for Business for a grant, review these Grant Policies, Procedures and Principles and our grant application information and guidelines.

I. NATURE OF GRANTS

Women Ambassadors for Business considers requests from eligible non-profit organizations that fall within the described areas of interest. Organizations should indicate how their proposed project fits the areas of interest. Generally, Women Ambassadors for Business does not make loans and does not provide grants for individuals, equipment, conferences, travel, general scholarships, religious programs, political campaigns and unsolicited research projects.

II. GEOGRAPHIC CONSIDERATION

Grants are typically awarded to non-profit organizations located in the greater Washington Metropolitan Area.

III. ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS

Only organizations that have 501(c)(3) tax status under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code are eligible for support domestically. We invite any U.S. 501(c)(3) organizations in the Washington Metropolitan Area to apply to be the featured non-profit at our luncheons. Please note that Women Ambassadors does not fund:
• Political campaigns and legislative lobbying efforts
• Building or capital campaigns
• Projects that exclusively serve religious purposes
• Direct support for individuals

Documentation should be provided in English.

IV. SUPPORT OF WOMEN AMBASSADORS FOR BUSINESS, INC.

Women Ambassadors for Business requires that featured non-profits organizations undertake the following steps in connection with that organization being showcased at a Women Ambassadors for Business luncheon:
• The featured non-profit organization will promote the event at which it will be featured, which promotion includes post it on the website, etc;
• The featured non-profit organization will remain involved with Women Ambassadors for Business for future events;
• The featured non-profit organization will assist in getting vendors and giveaway door prizes at the event at which it will be the featured non-profit; and
• The featured non-profit organization must provide a list of 25 women business owners that would be invited to the lunch.

V. SUSTAINABILITY OF ORGANIZATION

The organization must be able to demonstrate plans to continue the organization after the granting of the funds.

VI. ACCOUNTABILITY

The organization must provide financial and evaluative reports on the use of grant funds. Issuance of a grant is a discrete event and does not reflect continuing support for the organization. Women Ambassadors for Business gives priority to applications falling into its major program areas, including in part:

Nutrition. Promoting improvements in and a better understanding of good nutrition, and contributing to the health and well-being of people and communities or animals.

Youth and Education. Supporting the positive development of children and youth by strengthening systems that affect learning and by sustaining programs that supplement the formal education process in a variety of ways.

Diversity. Promoting the advancement of minority populations and women, with focus on development opportunities for girls and minority youth.

Healthy Children and Families. Improving the overall well-being of people by ensuring children and families have the resources and services necessary to help them live healthy and happy lives.

Quality of Life. Promoting programs that support and add to the quality of our communities including increased accessibility for low-income and disadvantaged individuals through art, cultural, educational and outreach programs.

FEATURED NON-PROFITS APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Women Ambassadors for Business considers requests from eligible organizations that fall within the described areas of interest. Organizations should indicate how their proposed project fits the areas of interest. Generally, Women Ambassadors for Business does not make loans and does not provide grants for individuals, equipment, conferences, travel, general scholarships, religious programs, political campaigns and unsolicited research projects. Grants are typically awarded in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Only organizations that have 501(c)(3) tax status under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code are eligible for support domestically.

The organization must be able to demonstrate plans to continue the project after the grant funds end. The organization must provide reports on the use of grant funds. Issuance of a grant is a discrete event and does not reflect continuing support for the organization.

The following information should be included in funding proposals.

I. PROGRAM INFORMATION

• Executive Summary.
• Organizational Background. Briefly describe the organization’s purposes and overall goals and plans for current year.
• Project Description. Describe the specific purpose for which you are requesting funds (example: problem to be solved, need to be met, service to be provided).
• Measurable Goals and Objectives. Explain how the project will be accomplished.
• Target Demographic. Indicate the population and/or geographic area you intend to reach.
• Impact. Explain how the organization plans to evaluate the proposed program.
• Sustainability. Specify how the project will be sustained after the grant ends.

II. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Please send the following:
• The current operating budget for the organization.
• The project budget for the proposed grant.

III. VOLUNTEERS

• Indicate the extent to which your organization relies on volunteer activities.
• Outline volunteer opportunities that are available within your organization.

IV. ATTACHMENTS

• IRS determination letter of 501(c)(3) status.
• A list of board members and their affiliations.
• Most recent annual report.
• Requested financial information.

FEATURED NON-PROFITS APPLICATION
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

• There are no restrictions as to how the award funds are to be spent so long as they are spent in line with the purpose and projects outlined in the awardee organization’s application.
• Institutions cannot reapply for five-years.

FEATURED NON-PROFITS APPLICATION
SELECTION PROCESS

Women Ambassadors Grants and Program Committee receives and acknowledges each submission and screens all applications for eligibility. After initial screening for eligibility, Women Ambassadors Grants and Program Committee evaluates applications based on candidates:

The committee then selects a list of final candidates for consideration by the Women Ambassadors. Based on the selection of speakers, the recipients will be selected.

Timeline:
An award administrator will inform all status on a rolling basis. Winner will be given at least three-month advanced notice before they will be featured at a luncheon. Each winning non-profit organization will be publicly announced on the Women Ambassadors for Business, Inc. website and in writing.