864-335-8401
info@togetherwomenrise.org

Transformation Partnerships Criteria

Guiding Principles

 

In addition to funding direct services through our Featured Grants, Together Women Rise partners with organizations that are working to create broader, systemic change in order to achieve global gender equality. Our Transformation Partnerships are specifically focused on addressing the root causes of global gender inequality. We want to transform the social and cultural norms, beliefs, practices, and laws so women have equal access to resources, decision-making power, and opportunity.

 

TRANSFORMATION PARTNERSHPS ARE AWARDED BY INVITATION ONLY.

We do not solicit or accept applications for these types of grants.

 

Together Women Rise seeks to work with partner organizations in a participatory model, with shared decision making, learning and flexibility to adapt and grow over time to achieve long-term goals.  We understand that systems change is a long-term undertaking and iterative process; we seek trust-based partnerships.

We offer two types of Transformation Partnership Grants:

 

  • Initial Grants are designed to give grantees and Together Women Rise an opportunity to get to know one another, learn together, define goals, and plan a change strategy.
  • Implementation Grants offer multi-year funding to implement a change strategy or launch and test a pilot intervention.

 

Initial Grants

 

Criteria

We do not solicit applications for these Initial Grants. Specific organizations are approached and invited to partner with us.

We are looking for stable organizations with a deep understanding of the political and socio-economic issues in the country in which they work.  Organizations should have a track record or a deep interest in systems change work, and a willingness to work collaboratively with us. Grantees must also meet the criteria for Transformation Partnerships outlined below.

Selection Process

  • Together Women Rise will approach potential partners to gauge interest.
  • If the organization is interested, we will schedule an introductory meeting. It is critical that the right people from both sides attend to be able to productively advance the conversation.  We ask that potential partners come to the meeting ready to talk about new systems change ideas – not fleshed out proposals or programs, but areas where they see a need and have institutional experience and knowledge.
  • After both organizations confer internally, there will be a follow-up meeting to determine if there is a possible fit and continue the dialogue if appropriate.
  • Based on these discussions, Together Women Rise will select organizations for Initial Grants.

Initial Phase

The goal of the initial phase is to for the organizations to get to know one another and determine whether there is an opportunity for Together Women Rise to make an investment in systems change work.

Initial grants will be up to $35,000 for up to six months.  The amount and timeframe will be determined via discussion between the two organizations about the time and resources needed by the potential partner.  Funds may be used for staff time, consultants, publications, research, travel, and related activities. This may include:

  • Develop, refine, or advance a strategy or plan to address root causes of gender inequality
  • Consult with private sector and government agencies to plan partnerships
  • Develop and test a theory of change to achieve gender equality
  • Define deliverables and metrics associated with a strategy or plan
  • Develop a plan to grow organizational capacity needed to implement a plan

Together Women Rise is open to other uses for an Initial Grant, and will be flexible about the best approach for the issue, history, and circumstances.

 

Transformation Partnerships Criteria

  • Grantee must be a US 5.01(c)3 corporation or have a fiscal sponsor which is a US 5.01(c)3 corporation.
  • If using a fiscal sponsor, the relationship must be of at least twelve months’ standing.
  • Grantee must have experience of at least 3 years in the country in which they work.
  • Grantee or fiscal sponsor must have $100,000 in annual revenue for the last 2 years, and must provide Form 990 or Form 990 EZ for the two most recent years.
  • Grantee must demonstrate fiscally responsible practices.
  • Grantee or fiscal sponsor must have an active website.
  • Grantees and fiscal sponsors with a majority of women board members are preferred

Together Women Rise will not fund:

  • Organizations with political affiliations
  • Organizations with religious affiliations
  • Individuals
  • Membership campaigns
  • Major building projects, land purchases, and large capital expenditures

Questions?

 

Contact our Director of Grants and Partnerships, Dr. Veena Khandke at 864-335-8401

 

Body: