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 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.