Since its founding, Women’s Giving Fund has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits—supporting everything from mental health services and childcare to healthcare access and family support. In 2026, Women’s Giving Fund will grant $150,000 at our grant celebration on July 15.
What makes this grantmaking model truly special is not just the amount of money that will be given—it’s the people behind the process. Every grant is a reflection of a community of women coming together, learning together, and deciding together how to create a stronger, more vibrant Summit County.
Representing the 2,400 Women’s Giving Fund members, is a group of women+ who lean in, listen closely, and carry the responsibility of grantmaking with care. This group is the Women’s Giving Fund Steering Committee which is made up of 11 members who each serve three-year terms. Their role is to select three grantees from the many applications that we receive from nonprofit organizations that are working to strengthen women+ and children in the community.
The committee is made up of women from across our community who bring different perspectives, lived experiences, and a shared commitment to making Summit County stronger. One seat is intentionally reserved for a college or high school student, ensuring that the next generation has a voice at the table, and that decisions reflect a broader, more inclusive view of our community.
This is where participatory grantmaking, a funding approach that shares decision-making power with community members most affected by the issues being addressed, becomes real. It’s not just about reviewing proposals; it’s about honoring the voices of those closest to the work. Committee members approach each application with curiosity and humility, recognizing that the most meaningful solutions often come from those directly experiencing the challenges.
On April 26, the committee reviewed 22 grant applications, each one representing a bold idea, a pressing need, and a nonprofit working to create change for women+ and children. Members begin by reviewing proposals individually, guided by a clear set of criteria including community need, potential for impact, feasibility, and alignment with the Women’s Giving Fund’s priorities. From there, the committee comes together to discuss all of the applications. They bring their different perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and learn from one another. The process is intentional and, at times, difficult. Many proposals are deeply deserving. Conversations are rich, nuanced, and grounded in a shared desire to invest where impact can be most transformative.
Through this careful process, three finalists emerge.
And then, the stories deepen. While the finalists remain confidential, Park City Community Foundation partners with each organization to create a short video, capturing not just what they do, but why it matters. These stories are shared with all the Women’s Giving Fund members in mid- to late June. All 2,400 members are asked to vote for one of the three organizations.
In that moment, the circle widens. What began as careful review becomes collective decision-making. This isn’t just a grant process; it’s a shared act of listening, learning, and choosing, together.
The organization that receives the most votes will then receive the largest grant on July 15, which will be $90,000 in 2026. All Women’s Giving Fund members and those interested in learning more about Women’s Giving Fund are welcome to come to the Grants Celebration.
Many thanks to Vail Resorts Epic Promise Foundation and Park City Mountain for hosting us.
Posted in: Women's Giving Fund, Supporting Nonprofits
Tagged: grants, WGF, steeringcommittee