Reminder: One Week Remains Until Women's Giving Circle Grant Deadline

Russell Cothren

Grant recipient Angela Oxford speaks on behalf of the Dream B.I.G. initiative at the 2017 Women's Giving Circle spring reception.

The University of Arkansas Women's Giving Circle is accepting proposals through May 15 for programs and initiatives supporting the campus and community. Projects should include work that falls within the scope of the Women's Giving Circle's funding priority areas:

• Support and promote scholarship, research and service
• Enrich the quality of life of women and children
• Encourage outreach and engagement in Arkansas

Please visit the Women's Giving Circle website to download the proposal application, review the process and see a list of past funding recipients. Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. next Monday. Grant semi-finalists will be notified and the final grants will be awarded during the fall voting event on Oct. 20. Please contact your unit's development officer with questions, clarification or assistance in preparing your proposal.

The application process is electronic, including a budget report in Excel. The template should be strictly followed and is available online with the application materials. The Submission Cover Sheet should be submitted with your proposal and signed by the director of development and dean or vice chancellor of your college, school or unit.

Beginning with the 2016 Grant Cycle, the Women's Giving Circle instituted a two-year funding rule. No applicant may receive funding for the same project for more than two consecutive years. Thereafter, applicants are welcome to submit another project. For the first time this year, the maximum funding for any grant will be capped at $20,000.

The Women's Giving Circle was created by the founding members of the Women in Philanthropy Committee of the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century. Since 2003, the circle has awarded over $1 million in funding to faculty, students and staff members from various departments and academic units at the university. This year marks the 15th year of funding for the circle.

As the Women's Giving Circle grows, so does its ability to fund more projects. Membership is open to all alumni and friends of the university and requires an annual commitment of $1,000. Faculty and staff and their spouses, along with current students and recent graduates (within the past five years), are eligible for membership at a special rate of $500 annually. A new lifetime membership level of $10,000 was recently added to show a long-term commitment. The circle utilizes its annual membership dues to fund grant proposals at its annual voting event. To join, visit their website or call Karen Stair at (479) 575-2381.

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