Grants

The Joy of Local Giving

Ojai Women’s Fund makes all awards through its annual grant program. Every year, nonprofit organizations that provide services to the Ojai Valley may apply for an OWF grant. Ojai Women’s Fund selects nonprofit programs that meet critical needs, spur new projects, or foster innovation. There are five categories: Arts, Education, Environment, Health, and Social Services. Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000.

Only 501(c)(3) organizations or organizations that have a fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply. A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status that has agreed to allow your organization to operate under its tax-exempt status.

Sample Grant Application

Grant FAQs

“THRIVE is so grateful to Ojai Women’s Fund for providing us with grant funding in 2022 and 2023! You have made a massive impact on the foundation of our program and the strong implantation of our offerings to the Ojai Valley.”

Tessa McGill

2022 Grantee

“Margaret Mead is quoted to have said “helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts.” Through grants to Secure Beginnings, the Ojai Women’s Fund has made a powerful impact on our community’s youngest members, essentially investing in our community’s future by providing vital donation-based and sliding scale programming. With your help, we are able to be there for young families when help is most needed. Thank you, OWF!”

Renee Mandala

Executive Director, Secure Beginnings

Sample Grant Application

Grant FAQs

Application Process and Grant Workshop

The 2023 grant application period is now closed. Grant recipients will be notified at the end of September 2023. For 2024, the grant dates have not been finalized.

 OWF holds a Grant Workshop to help nonprofits apply for a grant. Attendees will be walked through the entire application and have their questions answered. The 2023 workshop will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, April 18. An email with further workshop information will be sent out in early April.

The Grants Committee researches and reviews all grant application materials and conducts selected site visits. Ojai Women’s Fund members are then given a selection ballot listing the top two candidates in each of the five categories. Final grantees are chosen from the ballot by the full membership.

Ojai Women’s Fund members are individuals or groups who donate at least $1,000 to the Fund. Each individual member or group is entitled to one vote. If you have additional questions about the grant application process, please read our  GRANTS FAQ or contact: grants@ojaiwomensfund.org

"There’s something about this organization and its underlying values of equity and fairness that really speak to me. I see it in memberships, in the way also that we do the grants – we really want to make sure that everyone has a chance in an equal manner to participate."

Anna Wagner

"We are inspired by the work of the Ojai Valley nonprofits and delighted that our family can help OWF support their efforts with grants."

Judy Norris

"This group shows you can have many people doing a little, which adds up to a LOT! By funding these programs, we are giving back in huge ways. I am so proud of this group!"