Community Action Grant

AAUW’s approach is rooted in the belief that when girls are immersed in supportive, engaging STEM environments — where they learn from relatable role models — they develop lasting interest, confidence, identity, and skills. This foundation not only helps them persist in STEM education and careers but also breaks down stereotypes, strengthens self-belief, and fosters the diverse leadership needed to close the gender gap.

Becoming an AAUW grantee means joining a community committed to driving systemic change in STEM through gender equity. This opportunity extends beyond financial support, offering evolving pathways for collaboration, visibility, and growth. Grantees become part of a forward-thinking network that fosters shared learning, elevates voices shaping the future of STEM, and builds capacity for long-term impact.

AAUW recognizes that impact manifests differently across communities and program models. Rather than imposing rigid metrics, we look for organizations that: 

• Demonstrate meaningful change: Show us how your program influences girls’ relationship with STEM in ways that matter to your specific community. 

• Focus on quality engagement: We value the depth and quality of girls’ STEM experiences over simply reaching large numbers. 

• Build community capacity: We’re interested in how you strengthen local ecosystems that support girls in STEM beyond your direct programming. 

• Center participant voice: We want to see how you incorporate feedback from the girls you serve to continuously refine your approach. 

Organizations must: 

• Be incorporated as a nonprofit with a federally designated tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code or be fiscally sponsored by an organization with 501(c)(3) status. Educational institutions such as K-12 schools are also eligible to apply. 

• Be U.S. based. 

• Have a proven track record of designing and delivering programming for girls in grades K-12, or for emerging organizations, demonstrated organizational capacity and commitment to the proposed project. This may include: 
  • A well-developed plan that outlines how the project will be implemented, measured, and sustained 
  • A team with relevant experience, skills, or background that supports successful project execution 
  • A clear record of designing and implementing programs specifically for girls 
  • Ability to share specific examples of past programming, including insights and lessons learned 
  • Evidence of community trust and relationships with participants and their families 
  • Demonstrated support or collaboration from stakeholders, including community groups or other organizations 

• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and improvement. This may include: 
  • Established systems for gathering and responding to feedback from participants 
  • At least one concrete example of how programming has been adapted in response to insights gained  
  • Openness to ongoing refinement based on participant experiences 
  • For emerging organizations, a clear and intentional plan for incorporating learning into future program development 

• Reflect the communities served. This can take different forms: 
  • Having leadership and staff with lived experience in the communities served 
  • Authentic community engagement through advisory groups, listening sessions, or co-design processes 
  • Transparent practices for incorporating community input into decision-making 

• Demonstrate sound financial management. All applicants must demonstrate all three of the following requirements: 
  • Basic financial systems appropriate to the organization’s size and stage 
  • Ability to track grant expenditures and provide reports on fund usage 
  • Transparency about financial challenges or needs 

Organizations or educational institutions that include members of the AAUW Board of Directors, AAUW employees (including paid, unpaid, part-time, temporary, consultants, interns, and contract employees), AAUW review panelists, or any of their immediate family members who hold significant roles in decision-making or financial management are ineligible to apply.

AAUW seeks programming that directly serves girls in grades K-12 in at least one of these areas: 

• Skill-building in science, technology, engineering, or math 

• Confidence-building and identity development in STEM 

• College and career preparation focused on STEM fields 

• Mentorship and role model exposure featuring women in STEM 

Programs should be designed based on evidence about effective strategies for dismantling barriers for girls’ participation and interest in STEM, while also incorporating innovative ideas. 

AAUW looks for programs that create meaningful change within specific community contexts. Grantees define what success looks like. 

What makes reviewers excited: An organization that can articulate why their outcomes matter in their community. For example, if six girls pursuing advanced math represents a significant shift in your rural community, help us understand that context and why it’s meaningful.  

AAUW values deep understanding of a community’s specific needs around girls’ access to STEM. 

What makes reviewers excited: Programs that demonstrate meaningful community engagement to understand local needs — for example, by utilizing thoughtful research methods to identify specific barriers to girls’ STEM participation and then designing tailored activities that directly address those barriers. Effective approaches prioritize listening to community voices, employing culturally responsive methods, and centering the experiences of the girls being served. 

AAUW values organizations that learn and grow. 

• For established organizations: Share an example from the past two years where data, evaluation, or participant feedback was used to adapt or improve a program. 

• For emerging organizations: Show planning and commitment to building learning and evaluation capacity during the program period. 

These qualities strengthen applications: 

• Potential to affect policies, practices, or perceptions beyond direct participants –Possibility to collaborate/partner with AAUW National and/or local Policy team 

• Use of teaching practices and materials that honor and incorporate participants’ cultural backgrounds and experiences in their learning  

• Willingness to test new approaches to persistent barriers in STEM education for girls

To help us understand if your work aligns with our funding priorities and to potentially save time on a full application, we begin with a Letter of Interest. LOIs must be submitted via AAUW’s application portal at aauw.fluxx.io. If you have a recent LOI prepared for another funder that covers similar information, please feel free to submit that instead — you will be able to insert it in the application. 

LOI’s should include: 

Introduction 

• Begin with a brief executive summary that clearly introduces your organization and project. 

• Theory of Change: 
  • Explain the specific change you seek to create for girls in STEM. 
  • Outline key connections between your activities and expected outcomes. 

• Explain how your organization’s mission aligns with AAUW’s commitment to gender equity in STEM. 

Community Need 

• Briefly describe the specific barriers to STEM participation your project addresses. 

• Include relevant data or community insights that illuminate this need. 

Program Approach

• Outline your key activities and implementation timeline. 

• Describe how you’ll engage participants and measure success. 

• Explain how community input has shaped your program design. 

Organizational Capacity 

• Share relevant experience and qualifications of your team. 

• Highlight previous successes or lessons learned. 

Budget Summary 

• The total project budget and amount requested from AAUW (Specify the amount of funding you are seeking (up to $75,000)). 

• A brief description of how the funds will be used. 

• Any other funding sources (if applicable). 

LOIs will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and organizations whose work aligns with our current funding priorities will be notified by November 2025 and invited to advance to the full application stage. 

How We Evaluate LOIs 

Letters of Interest are reviewed through a lens of equity and potential for impact. Specifically, reviewers look for: 

1. Alignment with AAUW’s mission and theory of change: Does the program address the root causes of gender disparities in STEM in ways that could create meaningful change? 
2. Community-centered approach: Is the work grounded in an understanding of the specific community served and their unique barriers to STEM participation? 
3. Potential for scaled impact: Could the approach, if successful, benefit more girls or influence broader systems over time? 
4. Learning mindset: Does the organization demonstrate openness to adaptation, reflection, and continuous improvement? 
5. Organizational readiness: Does the organization have the foundational capacity to implement the proposed program effectively? 

LOIs are reviewed by AAUW staff. 

Successful applicants will be invited to complete a more detailed application. This application will include: 

• A comprehensive narrative application providing further detail on the organization, project, timeline, workplan, and impact 

• The organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (for nonprofit applicants) 

• The organization’s most recent Form 990 

• A copy of the organization’s budget from the prior fiscal year 

• A copy of the organization’s current fiscal year budget 

• The organization’s current fiscal year statement of financial position (balance sheet) 

• The organization’s current fiscal year statement of activities (profit-and-loss statement) 

• A detailed line-item budget for the project, along with a narrative justification explaining each budget item and its connection to project goals 

The following expenses are not eligible for funding: 

• Higher education scholarships for students and participants 

• Building funds, construction, or renovations 

• Previous expenditures, deficits, or loans 

• Creating or providing grants to other organizations 

• Fundraising activities 

• Political or lobbying activities 

Proposals will be reviewed by a diverse group of women in STEM, nonprofit leaders, business management experts, and AAUW alumnae. Every application gets scored by two reviewers, then discussed as a group before making final selections.

Reporting is viewed as a learning opportunity, not just a compliance exercise. The goal is to understand grantees’ journeys to support their work and learn alongside them. Specific requirements will be detailed in grant agreements, but may include: 

• Participation in cohort-based learning sessions with other grantees 

• Mid-term narrative and financial reporting  

• Mid-term check-in conversations to discuss progress and challenges 

• A final grant impact report at the end of the year 

• Documentation of outcomes and lessons learned 

These processes are designed to be valuable for all parties involved. 

Can organizations reapply for funding? 

Absolutely! All previous applicants and grantees are welcome to reapply.  

Should we submit an LOI? 

• Does your program specifically address barriers to girls’ participation in STEM? 

• Do you serve girls in grades K-12? 

• Do you have systems in place to learn from and adapt your programming? 

• Are you willing and able to participate in cohort-based learning activities? 

• Do you have leadership or input mechanisms that reflect the communities you serve? 

• Can you provide basic financial tracking and reporting? 

• Are you eligible based on you organizational structure (501(c)(3) or educational institution)? 

If you answered “yes” to all of these questions, we encourage you to submit an LOI. 

Is this grant right for your organization? 

This grant IS a good fit if your organization if it: 

• Prioritizes hands-on, experiential STEM learning, mentorship, family engagement, and confidence-building experiences for girls in grades K-12 

• Takes an innovative approach to addressing specific barriers to girls’ STEM participation 

• Is committed to learning, adaptation, and growth 

This grant is NOT a good fit if your organization if it: 

• Primarily serves college students or adults 

• Offers only general educational programming without specific STEM focus 

• Provides one-time or very brief STEM exposure events without sustained engagement 

• Is unwilling to participate in cohort-based learning and evaluation activities 

• Is an AAUW Branch  

• Is led by members of the AAUW Board of Directors, AAUW employees, review panelists, or their immediate families (i.e., spouses and children). 

What if an organization wants $25,000? Or some number other than $75,000? 

Organizations are encouraged to apply for the amount that makes sense for their project and organization. Grants go up to $75,000, but smaller amounts are also funded, especially for organizations in the start-up phase that need support to scale up. The right amount is the one that can be effectively managed to achieve the proposed impact. 

What costs aren’t allowed? 

• Higher education scholarships for students and participants
• Building funds, construction, or renovations
• Previous expenditures, deficits, or loans
• Creating or providing grants to other organizations
• Fundraising activities
• Political or lobbying activities

What kind of projects are typically funded? 

AAUW funds programs that provide hands-on STEM learning experiences for girls in grades K-12, often incorporating mentorship, family engagement, and confidence-building activities. Projects serving rural and under-resourced communities are prioritized. 

Can individuals apply for this grant? 

No. The AAUW Community Action Grants provide funding to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and educational institutions. Individuals are not eligible to apply. 

What is meant by “established” versus “emerging” organizations? 

For grant purposes, these terms are defined as follows: 

Established organizations typically have: 

• Been operating for more than three years 

• Developed stable operational systems and processes 

• A track record of program implementation with documented outcomes 

Emerging organizations may: 

• Be relatively new (generally operating for less than three years) 

• Be in the process of formalizing their operational systems 

• Have promising initial program pilots but limited long-term data

Can this grant support ongoing programs/operations or is it only for new initiatives? 

The grant can support both ongoing programs and new initiatives. What matters most is alignment with the grant’s focus on advancing gender equity in STEM for girls in grades K-12, rather than whether the program is pre-existing or newly created. 

For ongoing programs, applications should clearly demonstrate: 

• The program’s effectiveness and impact to date 

• How grant funding would strengthen, enhance, or scale successful elements 

• Why additional funding is needed at this time 

For new initiatives, applications should clearly demonstrate: 

• How the initiative builds on organizational experience and capacity 

• Evidence supporting the proposed approach 

• A thoughtful implementation plan 

In both cases, the application should provide sufficient justification for all costs. The key consideration is the program’s potential impact, alignment with AAUW’s mission, and the organization’s capacity to implement it effectively.