Guiding Principles

• Gender equality means that all individuals have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their gender. It is about creating a world where all people can thrive without discrimination, bias, or systems that limit their potential.
• Together Women Rise funds organizations and projects that address the varied issues and needs of women and girls in low-income and marginalized communities in the Global South.
• Organizations and projects funded will create lasting change in the lives of the women and/or girls who are affected.
• Organizations and projects funded will provide solutions identified by the women and/or girls being served, and must actively include their perspectives.
• Featured Grantees must demonstrate the direct impact of the project funded and the methods and ability to monitor and evaluate the project.
• Featured Grantees are sustainable organizations with multiple funding sources.
• Together Women Rise strives to maximize the educational opportunities for our members.
• Organizations should align with our Gender Equality Beliefs.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be considered for a Featured Grant, you must provide evidence that your organization meets ALL of Together Women Rise’s eligibility requirements.  

1. 1. Applicant must be a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a fiscal sponsor which is a US 501(c)3 corporation. We do not accept registration documents issued by any other country. A fiscal sponsor is a US non-profit organization that provides fiduciary oversight, financial management, and other administrative services to help build the capacity of charitable organizations that do not have a US 501(c)(3) designation. An applicant that does not have a US 501(c)(3) designation can submit an application to Together Women Rise with a fiscal sponsor if they have a verifiable present relationship with that fiscal sponsor that has been in existence for the past 12 months.
   2. Applicant must have a minimum of $100,000 operating expenses annually for the most recent fiscal year.
   3. Applicant must demonstrate capacity and on-the-ground operations in low-income communities in the Global South for a minimum of three years.
   4. Applicant must provide data regarding the direct impact of the organization’s program(s) that the grant would support.
   5. Women must make up the majority of the leadership of your organization (i.e. board of directors and staff) at the time of application.
   6. Applicant must demonstrate fiscally responsible and sustainable practices within their organization.
   7. Applicant must have a website in English, unless using a fiscal sponsor.
   8. Applicant must submit all information requested on the grant application in English.
   9. Applicant must provide additional information as deemed necessary for Together Women Rise to make the grant decision.
   10. Applicant has not received a Together Women Rise grant within the past four years.
   11. If the applicant has previously received a Rise grantee, it must have satisfied ALL of Rise’s reporting requirements for that past grant.
   12. Applicants must adhere to Together Women Rise’s Religion Policy. Click HERE to review the full policy.
   13. Together Women Rise recognizes that to achieve gender equality, women and girls must have equitable and consistent access to quality health care, which includes safe and full scope of sexual and reproductive health services and education. Click HERE to read our full Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy.

Application Process

Together Women Rise has streamlined our application process in order to make it more open and accessible to prospective grantees.

Step #1: Questionnaire to Determine Eligibility

First, you will be asked to complete a brief, online questionnaire to determine your eligibility for a Rise Featured Grant. This questionnaire should take you only a few minutes to complete, and you will receive immediate notification about whether you meet our eligibility requirements.

Step #2: Your Organization Profile

If you are considered to be eligible after completing the questionnaire, we will provide you with instructions for how to complete your organization’s profile via our online application site. Your profile will be secure and confidential. Once your profile is completed, you will be invited to submit your application.

Step #3: Full Application

If you are invited to complete an application, you will be asked to:

• Provide a copy of your organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter, or that of your fiscal sponsor.
• Provide a copy of your current fiscal year operating budget.
• Provide your Form 990 or Form 990 EZ, or that of your fiscal sponsor, for the two most recent consecutive years. If you are submitting a Form 990 Z, you will be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. We do not accept 990-Ns or 990-PFs.
• If you have a fiscal sponsor, you will need to provide a certification between your organization and the fiscal sponsor.

Note: Applicants may be required to participate in an online site visit with Rise staff and Grants and Partnership Committee members prior to final selection of grants. Invitation to participate in an online site visit is not a guarantee or indication of funding.

Info for Grant Recipients

Once you have been notified of funding, you will be required to:

1. Sign a funding agreement. This agreement must be signed before any announcement about the grant can be made. Funding will be provided at 60% of total grant amount when fund agreement is signed; 30% upon receipt of the interim report submission; and 10% upon receipt of final report.
2. Provide the following for Rise’s member learning program: five high-resolution photographs; a video recording of 4-5 minutes in length about your organization and the funded project; and 1-3 impact stories over the two-year period. Templates and more information will be provided about these deliverables after the grant is awarded.
3. Participate in 1-2 check-ins with Rise staff during the two-year period.
4. Participate in a monthly national webinar to share information about your organization with Rise members during your designated month.
5. Submit to Together Women Rise an interim report and a final report upon completion of the project.

FAQs for Prospective Grantees (Printable Version)

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

1. How do I apply for a Together Women Rise grant?
   Please visit our website and click on the “Grants” tab at the top of the page. When the application cycle is open, you will find the application link there.
2. When does the application open?
   The 2026 application cycle – for grants to be awarded in 2027 — opens on May 5, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
3. When does the application open and close?
   The application deadline is June 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
4. How many grants are awarded each year?
   Together Women Rise awards at least 12 Featured Grants each year.
5. What is the grant amount?
   Grants range from $35,000 to $50,000 and are paid over two years.
6. How are grant payments distributed?
   Payments are made as follows:
   • 60% within the first year
   • 30% after the first year and submission of the interim report
   • 10% after the final year and submission of the final report
7. When will we know if we are selected?
   Selected organizations are notified in November 2026. Non-selected applicants are notified in November & December 2026.

GEOGRAPHIC ELIGIBILITY

1. What regions are eligible for funding?
   We fund projects in low-income and marginalized communities in the Global South.
   The Global South generally refers to regions such as Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, much of Asia (excluding Israel, Japan, and South Korea), and parts of Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). Many countries in these areas face ongoing development challenges, including lower average incomes, higher poverty rates, rapid population growth, and limited access to housing, education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
2. What countries are included in the Global South?
   This includes many countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of the Middle East.
3. Are countries in Europe eligible?
   No. Europe, including Eastern Europe and Russia, is not eligible.
4. Are high-income countries eligible?
   Generally, no. High-income countries are not eligible.
5. Does eligibility depend on where the organization is registered?
   No. Eligibility is based on where the project is implemented.
   We do not fund projects in the United States or in countries subject to U.S. sanctions.

U.S. 501(C)(3) AND FISCAL SPONSORSHIP

1. Do we need to be a U.S.-registered nonprofit?
   Yes, or you must apply with a U.S.-based fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3).
2. Can international organizations apply?
   Yes, if they apply through a U.S. fiscal sponsor.
3. What is a fiscal sponsor?
   A fiscal sponsor is a U.S. nonprofit that provides legal and financial oversight and assumes responsibility for the grant.
4. Do we need an existing relationship with the fiscal sponsor?
   Yes. The relationship must be at least 12 months old.
5. Can Rise Together Women Rise help us find a fiscal sponsor?
   No, we do not match organizations with fiscal sponsors. Please see this link for more information on fiscal sponsors, including a directory to explore a list of fiscal sponsors
6. Is an IRS equivalency determination (ED) accepted? Can this replace the requirement to be registered as a U.S. 501(c)(3)?
   No. ED alone is not sufficient.

ORGANIZATIONAL ELIGIBILITY

1. How many years of experience are required?
   Organizations must have at least three years of on-the-ground operations.
2. Can newly registered organizations apply?
   Only if they can demonstrate three years of operational experience in the Global South.
3. What is the minimum budget requirement?
   Organizations must have at least $100,000 in annual operating expenses.
4. Do we need to be legally registered?
   Yes, either as a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization or through a U.S. fiscal sponsor that is a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization. We do not accept IRS equivalency determinations.
5. My organization previously received a Together Women Rise Featured Grant. Are we eligible to apply for and receive another grant?
   Yes, but organizations may receive no more than one Featured Grant per four-year period, and it must have satisfied all of Rise’s reporting requirements for the past grant.

WOMEN-LED REQUIREMENT

1. What does “women-led” mean?
   Women must make up at least 50% of the organization’s leadership.
2. Does this include the board and staff?
   No, only board and executive leadership.
3. Can men be in leadership roles?
   Yes, but women must make up at least 50% of the organization’s leadership.

GRANT SCOPE AND WHAT WE FUND

1. What types of projects are funded?
   We fund new programs, expansion of existing programs, and capacity building.
2. Do you fund existing programs?
   Yes, if the funding expands or strengthens the program.
3. Can funding support monitoring and evaluation (M&E)?
   Yes.
4. Do you fund general operating costs?
   No.
5. Do you fund political or lobbying activities?
   No.

BUDGET AND FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. What financial documents are required?
   Applicants must provide an organizational budget, project/program budget and most recent & previous IRS Form 990 (or fiscal sponsor’s).
2. What do reviewers look for in budgets?
   Reviewers assess:
   • Financial transparency
   • Alignment between budget and proposed activities
   • Organizational stability and financial health
3. Should budgets be submitted in U.S. dollars?
   Yes. All budgets must be submitted in U.S. dollars.
4. Do you fund unrestricted grants?
   No.
5. Are there projects or purposes that Together Women Rise does NOT fund?
   We do not fund:
   • Debt reduction
   • Individuals
   • Government entities
   • Political/lobbying
   • Endowments
   • Religious conversion

   Together Women Rise does not fund organizations that engage in exclusionary practices based on religion or political affiliation or that attempt to convert the community beneficiaries to a particular religious faith or belief, or a political party or belief. Click HERE to read Together Women Rise’s full Religion Policy.

IMPACT AND BENEFICIARIES

1. Must projects show direct impact?
   Yes, projects must demonstrate direct impact on women and girls.
2. Are indirect beneficiaries allowed?
   Yes, but direct impact is required.

PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION

1. Can multiple organizations apply together?
   Yes, but applicants must meet all eligibility criteria. Partnerships must exist at least 12 months.
2. Can a U.S. organization apply for work abroad?
   Yes.
3. Can funds be sub-granted?
   No.

APPLICATION AND TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

1. Can applications be submitted in another language?
   No. All applications must be submitted in English.
2. Which browsers should be used to complete the online application?
   Chrome, Firefox, or Edge are recommended.
3. I cannot log into the portal. What should I do?
   Use the same email address used in your eligibility form and follow the login instructions provided in the email. If problems persist, please email grants@togetherwomenrise.org.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

1. Where can we find more information?
   Please visit the Together Women Rise website for full guidelines and resources.
2. Does Together Women Rise hold any information sessions or meetings for prospective applicants?
   Yes, information sessions are held prior to the opening of our grant cycle. You can watch the recording of this information session HERE and the presentation slides are HERE.
   In addition, office hours will be held on May 19 and June 1. Times and registration links are available on our website.
3. Who can we contact with additional questions?
   Please email grants@togetherwomenrise.org with any questions you may have after reviewing the materials on our website.