Apply to the Women's Giving Fund
We have granted $658,000 to 14 organizations to dramatically change outcomes for women and families in greater Park City since 2015.
The 2026 Women’s Giving Fund grant application period opens on Monday, March 2 and closes on Friday, April 3.
The Women’s Giving Fund makes three annual high-impact grants to organizations that serve Summit County women+ and children. It is an endowment, founded by over 1,000 members who each gave a $1,000 gift to become lifetime members.
Grant ApplicationWomen's Giving Fund Has Huge Impact!
We have granted $658,000 to 14 organizations to dramatically change outcomes for women and families in greater Park City since 2015.
Affordable daycare, bilingual mental health counseling, maternal and child healthcare, youth mentoring, housing for victims of domestic violence, and support to caregivers of older adults are a few of the issues our collective funding has addressed
A Space for All Women+
At Park City Community Foundation, we use women+ to welcome and include all self-identifying women, including cis and transgender women, as well as non-binary and gender-fluid individuals. While our initiative centers women's voices and is catered to women+, we welcome the support of all allies who share our values.
By joining Park City Community Foundation's Women's Giving Fund, you take part in awarding high-impact grants to local organizations that are supporting women+ and children in Summit County.
But that's just the beginning! With social events throught the year, Women's Giving Fund is more than a circle of philanthropists. It's an entire community of women+ helping women+.
Women's Giving Fund Grant Guidelines
Women's Giving Fund Mission
The mission of the Community Foundation’s Park City Women’s Giving Fundis Park City women+ supporting other Summit County women+ and children in need through endowed, high-impact philanthropy. Women’s Giving Fund will use earned income from the Women’s Giving Fund endowment, as well as current use dollars, to fund three annual high-impact grants that support women+ and/or children in need in Summit County, Utah. A high-impact project is one that can provide measurable outcomes that are transformative in the way they change lives, alter a community, or address a root issue, rather than acting as a temporary solution. Impact may vary based on a nonprofit’s size. Collaboration within the community is encouraged.
Applicant Criteria
In addition to creating high impact, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Qualify as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Serve women+ and/or children of Summit County
- Demonstrate need with relevant data and facts
- Demonstrate attainable goals and objectives, which include a timeline for implementation
- Demonstrate an ability to measure and evaluate the program/project and communicate its outcomes to the Women’s Giving Fund membership if awarded the grant
- Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging.
Applicants without 501(c)(3) status, but who have applied to the IRS for such status, may apply. In this case, a receipt letter from the IRS of application is required at time of application to Park City Community Foundation. Applicants without 501(c)(3) status, but that are operating under an organization qualified as a 501(c)(3) organization, may apply separately if they have their own advisory board and have the written consent of the qualified organization. In that case, the application must contain a letter of agreement between the two organizations, which sets forth the responsibilities of each organization.
Grants may support program/project costs, capital projects and equipment, consulting services, matching funds, technical assistance, and joint requests from multiple applicants (collaborations).
Current Restrictions
Grants will not be awarded for debt reductions or retiring past operating deficits; sponsorships, dinners, or one-time events; unrestricted or general operating support; fellowships or other grants to individuals; litigation; political or marketing campaigns; endowment funds; graduate and post-graduate research; or for purposes that further political or religious doctrine. One primary grantee will be chosen per year. A recipient cannot reapply as the primary grantee for three years after the year they received the grant. A summary of finalist applications will be posted on our website for all members to access.
Women’s Giving Fund Grant Amount
The 2026 Women’s Giving Fund Grant award amount will be $90,000. Park City Community Foundation’s Board of Directors will annually set the amount for the grant. Funding can be awarded in one year, but disbursed over 1-3 years depending on outcomes achieved. Funds must be used within 3 years of receiving the grant.
Three finalists will be selected by the Women’s Giving Fund Steering Committee. Those finalists will receive video production services for a short, descriptive video about the proposed program or project described in the application.
Two runners-up will each receive $30,000 to be used toward your proposal or work serving women+ and/or children in Summit County, UT.
Grant Process & 2026 Timeline
March 2: Applications open
April 3: Application deadline
May 8: Semifinalists notified
June 22 – July 13: Women’s Giving Fund member open voting
July 15: Grant Award Celebration
Staff
Community Foundation staff processes and prepares the grant applications for review by the Women’s Giving Fund Steering Committee and Board of Directors. Staff assist the Women’s Giving Fund Steering Committee, but do not vote on committee matters (Staff who are also Women’s Giving Fund members may participate in the all-member voting to choose the final grant awardee). After grants are awarded, Community Foundation staff, board members, and/or donors will participate in the monitoring and evaluation process of all grant projects through a site visit. Runners-up will be asked to submit a brief statement of how funds were used.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is composed of eleven women of all ages selected from the Women’s Giving Fund membership. At least one member must be of high school or college age. The committee evaluates the grant applications and recommends three finalists to the whole membership for a vote to determine the grantee.
Learn more about the Women’s Giving Fund Steering Committee.
Review Criteria
The Women’s Giving Fund Steering Committee will use the following criteria to review applications. These criteria are not exclusive, and the Committee and Board of Directors reserve the right to use their own best judgment when making grant awards.
Benefit to Community, Women+ and/or Children
Applicant demonstrates program/project addresses a significant community need for women+ and/or children and contributes to a vibrant and unique community that benefits women+ and/or children.Strategic Approach
Goals, objectives, and timeline are realistic and clear.Potential Impact
The project/program demonstrates short-term and/or long-term impacts.Inclusive Practices
Applicant clearly explains how the organization strengthens its work with women+ and children through inclusive, culturally responsive practices that build trust, reduce barriers, and ensure participants feel welcomed, represented, and meaningfully engaged.Project/Program Budget*
Budget demonstrates funds will be spent to address a significant community need for women+ and/or children, including how funds will be budgeted/used over 1-3 years, if applicable. Applications containing incomplete or inaccurate budgets will not be considered by the steering committee.*Note: Budget may include costs associated with staff, program activities, indirect costs, and other costs necessary to carry out the proposed activities.
Please preview the application and apply online by Friday, April 3, 2026.
The Women’s Giving Fund makes three annual high-impact grants to organizations that serve Summit County women+ and children.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Women’s Giving Fund grants will you make in 2026, and for how much?
In 2026, Women’s Giving Fund will fund an annual high impact grant of $90,000. Additionally, runners-up will each receive $30,000 to be used toward their proposal or work serving women+ and/or children in Summit County, UT. Runners-up will be asked to submit a brief statement of how funds will be used. Park City Community Foundation’s Board of Directors make the final decisions on the number of grants and amount.
What does women+ mean?
At Park City Community Foundation, we use women+ to welcome and include all self-identifying women, including cis and transgender women, as well as non-binary and gender-fluid individuals. While our initiative centers women’s voices and is catered to women+, we welcome the support of all allies who share our values.
What are you looking for in a proposed project or program?
Please see the Review Criteria in the Women’s Giving Fund Grant Guidelines. In general, the Women’s Giving Fund Grants Committee will prioritize projects or programs that target a significant community need or opportunity benefiting women+ and/or children in Summit County; that have a strategically planned approach that clearly addresses the need/opportunity and whose future beyond the grant is well thought out; that have clear ways to assess results; that are presented by sound organizations; and that have reasonable budgets that also leverage other resources.
What does the committee look for when reviewing applications?
Beyond the basic criteria, it is helpful to emphasize why the proposed activities matter, what drives the passion of the organization to want to undertake these activities, and how the proposed activities will actually work to produce the targeted impact. Some particular aspects to consider might be:
- How many people will benefit? How does this compare to the total population of Summit County people who fit into the target audience? If a small number will benefit, is the impact especially deep, or will the program grow?
- How did you decide on the proposed strategy? Did you learn lessons from previous activities that did or did not work? Did you incorporate voices from the community you serve into the decision-making process?
- Are there other institutions/organizations active in the proposed area of work, and if so, is collaboration an element of the proposed project?
- What are the plans to sustain the benefits of the program after any Women’s Giving Fund Grant support ends?
The committee looks for whether all the pieces of the proposal fit together and flow toward the proposed goals and outcomes. It is optional but acceptable to include quotes, brief stories, a small number of photographs, and letters of support from any collaborating organizations, if desired. Video links may be included, but given the number of applications, reviewers are not required to watch linked videos as part of the review process.
Can an application be for a program benefiting just women+, or just children, or does it have to be both women+ and children?
Applications may be for programs benefiting just women+, or just children, or both.
Can organizations based outside of Summit County apply?
Organizations based outside of Summit County should make clear how their proposed program directly benefits women+ and/or children in Summit County.
Is a program eligible if it is held in Summit County and involves participants from around the nation?
The Women’s Giving Fund Grant is intended to primarily benefit women+ and/or children in Summit County, Utah. While programs that include benefits to people elsewhere are eligible, it is critical to spell out what the local benefits are to women+ and/or children in Summit County.
Is there a preference for new programs vs. continuing programs?
Applications are accepted for both new and continuing programs. In either case, it is helpful to show why the need or opportunity is compelling and requires this level of funding now. If a completely new organization is being founded as part of the grant, information should be provided referencing the track record of the people and/or other organizations involved in the new startup.
Would a naming opportunity in a capital campaign be eligible?
Organizations may apply for a Women’s Giving Fund grant to support a capital campaign, whether or not the support would lead to a naming opportunity. Applications for capital campaign support may want to emphasize how quickly the funding will lead to benefits for women and/or children in Summit County, and spell out as clearly as possible what the Women’s Giving Fund grant would accomplish in the context of a large campaign.
Are partnerships important?
While we encourage partnerships where they make sense, the Women’s Giving Fund Grant does not favor or disfavor programs that include partnerships. If partners are key to the proposed program’s success, partners should provide the lead organization with a brief letter of support for the application, confirming their involvement.
For a collaborative project, who should apply for the grant?
One lead organization should submit a single application for a collaborative project or program. Collaborating organizations should provide the lead organization with a brief letter of support for the application, confirming their involvement. If selected for the grant, the lead organization will receive the grant funds and may use some of the grant funds to pay one or more collaborating organizations for their part(s) in the project or program. It is helpful for the budget submitted with the application to spell out which organization will actually be directly incurring the various proposed expenses.
Is the grant paid in one lump sum or in a series of payments?
The payment plan can be adapted to the needs of the grantee. Park City Community Foundation will work out the payment plan with the grantee. If the grant is meant to fund activities over more than one year, payments may be made in a series (most likely annually) over the grant term. Funds must be used within 3 years of receiving the grant.
What elements are important in a project’s or program’s evaluation plans?
Different types of projects and programs have different types of indicators available. Where quantitative data are reasonably available, the Women’s Giving Fund Grants Committee appreciates seeing data that help define the need being addressed in an application, and information about how the data will be followed and reported as the project or program is implemented. Qualitative information is also very helpful, both in establishing the need/opportunity and in reporting on results.
What is the application and review timeline?
Please see the Women’s Giving Fund Grant Guidelines for the complete application and review timeline for 2026. Briefly, applications are due by 11:59 p.m. MST on April 3. In May, three finalists will be selected and will participate in a video production of their proposed project or program. The full Women’s Giving Fund membership will vote on the three finalists in June. The 2026 grantee will be announced at a celebration event in July.
What organizations/projects received the past Women’s Giving Fund Grants?
How do I apply for the Women’s Giving Fund Grant?
Before the April 3 deadline, visit the application portal at grantinterface.com/Process/Apply?urlkey=parkcitycf, create an account, complete and submit the Women’s Giving Fund Grant application form.
What is the history of Park City Community Foundation and the Women’s Giving Fund?
For more information about Park City Community Foundation and the Women’s Giving Fund, please visit the following web pages:
Do larger, national, long-standing organizations have better chances than newer, local, or small organizations?
Both more established organizations and newer organizations have received grants from the Women’s Giving Fund in the past. For example, PC Tots was a brand new organization when they received the grant in 2015. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, a local chapter of a national organization, received the grant in 2018. The key question that the Women’s Giving Fund Grants Committee and voting members take into consideration is the potential impact of the project.
What can prospective applicants learn from past grantees’ applications/proposals?
Keep in mind the main criteria that the Women’s Giving Fund Grants Committee uses to review applications: demonstrate that the program/project addresses a significant community need for women+ and/or children, a strategic plan, and measures to evaluate outcomes.
We also recommend telling a story of a specific beneficiary of the potential grant, which exemplifies the impact on both individual women and/or children and the greater community. For reference, we also recommend viewing the videos that are produced about the three semifinalists, which provide more context on which Women’s Giving Fund members vote. Below are the video links for the 2025 Women’s Giving Fund finalists.
More questions? Please visit the Community Fund Grants Application page on our application platform.