Grants

2019-2020 Grant Application & Information

Thank you for your interest in WYWL grants! The period to apply for a 2019-2020 grant closed on November 29, 2019. Please check back for the new application in Fall 2020. Contact grants@wywl.com with any questions.

The Grants Process

The Westport Young Woman’s League (WYWL) is a philanthropic organization dedicated to building community through volunteerism, social activities, and fundraising for Westport based charities or charities which focus on education.

During the 2018-2019 League year, WYWL awarded $80,000 to 18 non-profit organizations.

WYWL awards both regular grants (generally between $500-$5000) SuperGrants (designated grants which total $10,000 or more) and standing grants (generally under $5000). All grant applications are reviewed in the same application pool. Once we have reviewed applications, the Grants Committee comprising WYWL members led by the Grants Chair and Co-Chair determine which proposals will be considered for a SuperGrant.

Organizations whose proposals are selected for SuperGrants will be informed by February 2020 and representatives for each of these organizations will be invited to a WYWL General Meeting to present their proposals to WYWL members who will then vote on the proposals.

Any grant that is not selected as potential SuperGrant will be considered for a regular grant. A League member will contact your organization to review your application and present it to WYWL members at a grant review meeting; WYWL members will then vote on which proposals receive funding. This grant review process begins in January and continues through May. Decisions are announced in June.

Applications are due at 5:00 PM on November 29, 2019.

Please e-mail your application and relevant materials to: grants@wywl.com, cc: cogrants@wywl.com and include in the subject line your agency’s name and “2019-2020 Grant Application.”

Overall Guidelines:

• Your agency must have been in operation for at least 3 years.
• Your agency must be in good financial standing (financial records are requested as part of the application).
• Grants are funded for requests for specific projects or activities, and historically we have not awarded grants for general operating expenses (e.g. salaries, overhead, and rent).
• Your request must address at least one of these focus categories:
  • Education
  • Westport-based Organizations

We will contact you regarding the status of the grant request in June of 2020.

Funds will be disbursed by June 30, 2020. WYWL requires that funds granted will be used within one year of the time of disbursement (i.e. grant funds awarded during the 2019-2020 application cycle should be spent by June 30, 2021).

• We are happy to answer any questions you may have. However, we do not provide assistance in writing your grant request. Please contact Stephanie Nickse, Grants Chair and Barb Ingram, Grants Co-Chair:
  • • grants@wywl.com
    • cogrants@wywl.com

We look forward to receiving your application.

Center for Sexual Assault and Crisis Education Board Members
accept 2018 SuperGrant Check with Naree Viner, Grant Chair,
Jackie Spencer 2017-18 President & Grant Co-Chair, Kristin Fey

Earthplace accepts 2018 SuperGrant Check
with Naree Viner, Grants Chair, Jackie Spencer 2017-18 President,
and Grant Co-Chair, Kristin Fey

Summer Campers at Caroline House were happy to have new outdoor play equipment.