Grants

Every year, Women of Color GIVE Investors nominate initiatives and organizations that meet our funding requirements. The amount available is determined by the current year’s fund balance. According to our fund policy, if the fund exceeds $10,000, we allocate 80% of the total fund amount for distribution at a ratio of 50%, 30%, and 20%.

2020–2023 Grants

2024 Grant Cycle

August 5, 2024 – The amount of funding available for the 2024 Grant Cycle will be revealed and investors will be invited to submit up to three initiatives/organizations to be considered for funding.

September 29, 2024 – The three organizations we’ll be partnering with will be announced at the WOCG Fall Brunch.

December 11, 2024 – The three organizations will be invited to join WOC Give at the annual Investor Winter Social and Pitch Night to share more about the work they’re seeking funding for.

 

Nominations Criteria

INVESTOR RECOMMENDED

Only WOC Give Investors can put forth initiatives, programs, and organizations to be considered for funding. Please reach out to connect@wocgive.org if you would like to check the status of your investorship or become a new investor of WOC Give.

DOCUMENTATION

As part of the application process, recommended organizations will need to provide supplemental information, including an IRS Letter of Determination; EIN; and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statement.

STATUS

All organizations must be able to prove 501(c)3 or tax exempt status to be considered for a WOC Give grant.

COMMITMENT

Organizations must support the advancement, development, and promotion of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color on the Lakeshore (Muskegon and Ottawa Counties).

become a WOC Give investor to nominate

WOC Give investors who are up-to-date in their investor dues, in good standing, and are current in their giving will have access to the recommendation form. Once Investor registration forms are submitted and reviewed, new investors will receive a welcome email along with an invitation to recommend an organization.

BECOME AN INVESTOR

2024 Timeline

August 5
LAUNCH

The amount of funding available for the 2024 grant cycle is announced.

WOC Give Investors will receive a link to a form where they can submit up to three recommendations for initiatives and organizations.

August 30
REVIEW

Investor recommendations are due.

The Grants Committee will review the submitted recommendations. The organizations that meet our giving criteria will automatically be included as an option for investors to vote on to become one of our three partner organizations.

September 16
FIRST ROUND of VOTING

Investors will receive a summary of submitted organizations to review and then share their three selections. Selections will be weighted to ensure a clear top three to advance on to the application stage. 

The Grants Committee will review  and identify which three organizations will be invited to join WOC Give on December 11, 2024, to share more about the work they're seeking funding for.

September 29
REVEAL

The top organizations will be announced at the WOC Fall Brunch.

October 28
APPLICATIONS

The top organizations are invited to submit a detailed grant application. 

Due November 27

November 27
PREPARATION

Investors will receive a digital package with the applications, an evaluation rubric, and additional information to prepare themselves for the annual Investment Night.

December 11
INVESTMENT NIGHT

The top organizations will present their programs.

WOC Give Investors will discuss, vote, and announce the lineup of grant recipients at the end of the night.

December 31
GRANT DISTRIBUTION

Following the decision, WOC Give’s leadership team will formally request the distribution of funds from the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area.

INVESTMENT NIGHT
December 11, 2024

Women of Color GIVE Investors are invited to join us in gaining a deeper understanding of the organizations we are committed to partnering with. During this celebratory event,

  • Organizations deliver a 10-minute presentation outlining how they plan to use the funds
  • Organizations have an additional 5 minutes to respond to questions from members
  • Immediately following the presentations, WOC Give Investors spend up to 45 minutes discussing and evaluating the requests before selecting the grant recipients.
BECOME AN INVESTOR

2023 Grant Recipients

In December 2023, we distributed a total of $65,000 in grants to:

  1. Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates – $32,500
  2. Latin Americans United for Progress – $19,500
  3. Ballet Folklórico Sol Azteca – $13,000

2022 Grant Recipients

In December 2022, we distributed a total of $56,000 in grants to:

  1.  I Am Academy – $25,000
  2. West MI Asian American Association – $15,000
  3. Tri-Cities Puentes, LEADeres Lakeshore – $10,000
  4. Good Samaritan, Circles – $3,000
  5. ODC Network – $3,000

2021 Grant Recipients

In December 2021, we distributed a total of $41,500 in grants to:

  1. Latin Americans United for Progress – $20,000
  2. Escape Ministries – $12,000
  3. First Voice Generation film in cooperation with Boys and Girls Club of Greater Holland – $8,000
  4. TRIO Upward Bound – $1,000
  5. The Diatribe – $500

2020 Grant Recipients

In December 2020, we distributed a total of $21,800 in grants to:

  1. Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates – $10,150
  2. I Am Academy – $6,090
  3. Mija Leadership Coaching in cooperation with Tri-Cities Puentes Initiative – $4,060
  4. Maple Avenue
    Ministries – $1,000
  5. Cultureworks – $500

PITCH DAY - December 15, 2021

Members are invited to join us in gaining a deeper understanding of the organizations we are committed to partnering with. During this celebratory event,

  • Organizations deliver a five-minute presentation outlining how they plan to use the funds
  • Organizations have an additional 10 minutes to respond to questions from members
  • Immediately following the presentations, Women of Color Give members spend up to 45 minutes discussing and evaluating the requests before selecting the grant recipients.
LEARN MORE

Stay Up-to-Date

Sign Up For Event Reminders

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.