Programs – This term now refers to all four of DFW’s programs: Grants, Member Education and Engagement, Advocacy, and Partnerships. We have historically used the term “program” when we talk about our grants (i.e. featured program, sustained funding program).

Grants Program – Our professional, highly competitive grants program screens and vets more than 150 applicants each year, and awards more than $800,000 in grants to highly deserving, grassroots organizations that support women and girls living in extreme poverty.

Member Education and Engagement Program — Each month, we provide comprehensive educational materials to members about our grantees and the challenges facing women and girls in the developing world. Our two monthly newsletters keep members apprised of gender equity and poverty issues as well as provide tips and best practices to help our chapters succeed. Our Member Education and Engagement Program also provides volunteer leadership opportunities and travel experiences, and supports all the activities that create community and connection between our members and grantees.

Advocacy Program – This program is being launched in 2016 as part of our 2020 Vision. Through collective, grassroots efforts, such as letter writing campaigns, petitions, phone calls and speaking opportunities, we will influence American policy and legislation so that it benefits women and girls in the developing world.

Partnership Program — As part of our 2020 Vision, DFW is seeking partnerships that are consistent with our mission and values and allow us to “move the needle” on the root causes of poverty and gender inequity. The Peace Corps Let Girls Learn grant is DFW’s first impact partnership. We will also be pursuing collaborative partnerships.

Impact Partnerships – These partnerships will involve proactive investments by DFW where we can have a measurable impact on issues affecting women and girls in the developing world. These partnerships will be selected in a process involving DFW leadership, volunteer committees, and the DFW Board of Directors and will be based on the issues we are pursuing, the quality and impact of the projects, and the potential collaborative opportunities that will allow DFW to share our mission.

Collaborative Partnerships — These partnerships are consistent with our mission and goals and provide benefits to both partners. While these partnerships will not involve financial investments by DFW, we expect that the collaboration will help us stretch our resources, foster strong relationships in our field, and make a bigger impact in the pursuit of equity for women and girls living in extreme poverty. These partnerships will also be selected in conjunction with DFW leadership and volunteer committees.

Organization – The nonprofits that submit a grant application to DFW.

Project – The proposal we are funding within a nonprofit organization.

Grantee – Organizations that have been awarded a DFW grant.

Featured Grant or Grantee — DFW selects 12 featured grants per year that range in size from $35,000 to $50,000. Grantees are assigned to be featured in a specific month and are promoted at chapter meetings, DFW newsletters, social media and online communications.

Sustained Grant or Grantee — A larger, longer-term commitment that DFW makes to a previously featured grantee, by invitation only. Sustained grantees receive a total of $60,000 — $20,000 in each of three years.

Program Donations – These will now be called Chapter Meeting Donations. These are the donations that members make at their chapter meetings or online to further DFW’s mission, including all four of its programs (Grants, Member Education and Engagement, Advocacy, and Partnerships) as well as its program support and administrative expenses.

13^th Month Donations –Donations made to DFW’s annual appeal (known as the 13^th Month Campaign) which are used to cover our program support and administrative expenses. 13^th Month donations are necessary because monthly chapter donations are not enough to cover all of DFW’s expenses.

Program Support Expenses — The expenses that are directly related to the programs or services provided by a nonprofit organization. For example, program support expenses directly related to DFW’s Grants Program include staff time to manage the grant making process, which includes reviewing and evaluating grant applications and monitoring the impact the grants made.

Administrative Expenses – The expenses that are not directly related to DFW’s programs, but are critically important to DFW’s operations. Examples include rent, insurance, licensing and permits, financial management, staff training and development, information technology, and donation management systems.

Fundraising Expenses – These are expenses incurred in the process of soliciting potential donors to contribute funds, materials or services. Examples include staff time dedicated to donor development, direct mail expenses, or holding fundraising events. For example, expenses related to DFW’s annual appeal (13^th Month Campaign) are considered fundraising expenses.

Overhead – In the nonprofit industry, overhead typically refers to an organization’s administrative and fundraising expenses. It does not include expenses that are related to the nonprofit’s programs or services.

Overhead ratio – The overhead ratio typically refers to the percentage of a nonprofit’s expenses that is devoted to administrative and fundraising expenses.

Overhead Myth – The false conception that overhead ratios are the best means for measuring a nonprofit’s overall performance.