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 Grant Award FAQs 

​Our grant awards support projects that break down barriers and open doors to positively impact the lives of women and girls in the  Bitterroot.  Projects can be new and innovative, or enhance or increase the reach of existing programs. 

 

Grants recipients will be selected through an application process and announced in November.  Each year one focus area will be chosen from: (1) Basic Needs and Safety, (2) Health and Wellness, (3) Family Support, and (4) Education and Economic Empowerment.  This document provides additional details relating to grant eligibility and the process. 

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1. What are the basic eligibility requirements for an IMPACT Grant?  

a.  Applicant must be a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a certified nonprofit.

b.  Applicant must provide direct services in Ravalli County. 

c.  The project must relate directly to benefit women and girls in Ravalli County.

d.  The project may not serve a political purpose or candidate or support lobbying for either.

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2.  How many grants will be awarded each year and what is the typical grant amount?

The number and size of our grants will vary each year based on the total funds available.

 

3.  What is the duration of a typical grant?

We seek to fund projects with outcomes that can be measured in about 12 months from the time the grant is received. we do not provide multi-year funding.
 

4.  Are grants paid in a lump sum or in installments over time?

Grants are paid in one lump sum.  

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5.  Can religious  or political organizations apply for an IMPACT Grant?  

No. Our grants will not support any religion or religiously affiliated organizations.  Similarly, we will not support any political candidates or politically affiliated organizations.

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6.  Can a nonprofit submit more than one award proposal per year?

No.  We encourage applicants to focus their efforts on submitting a single strong proposal.

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7.  Can a former IMPACT Grantee reapply for a grant?  

Yes.  Previous grantees are eligible to apply again if they participated in Review Presentation and if the project was successfully completed. 

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8. Can the Grant be used outside of Ravalli County?

No, projects are limited geographically to Ravalli County.

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9. Will the Bitterroot Women's Giving Circle provide a grant to a start-up organization?

No, we look for organizations with a track record of managing their funds responsibly for at least two years.  New and developing non-profits that are fiscally sponsored by more established organizations may be considered.

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10. Can an IMPACT grant fund research projects?

No, while we encourage programs to do research on their projects, our grants are focused on actively empowering women.

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11. Does this grant have to be the primary or sole funder of a project?

No.  this grant does not need to make up the majority of a project's funding.  We will support projects with multiple funding sources, as long as our contribution will make a meaningful difference in the project's success.  If additional funding is needed to complete the project, applicants should explain how those funds will be secured.

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12. Are site visits part of the grant process and is feedback provided on submitted grant applications?

No, we do not make site visits.  Eligibility and grant recipients will be determined by the application form.  We are not able to provide feedback on submitted grant applications.

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13.  What happens if all the funding received is not spent?

If there are unusual circumstances which created an obstacle to using the funds as agreed during the 12 months, the grant recipient will contact the Giving Circle to determine if the funds will be returned or can be applied in the next year.

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14. Can a grant recipient modify or change how money is used?

Grants must be used for the purpose stated in the grant application.  However, if a situation occurs that requires modification, the grant recipient should contact the Giving Circle.

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  • August (4th week): Applications available

  • September 14th, 5-7:  interested non-profit members are invited to join our gathering for a panel presentation on the issues and needs in Ravalli County related to Basic Needs and Safety.   More Info & Registration

  • September 30th: Applications due online by midnight.

  • October 30th:  The review process will be complete and all applicants will be notified regarding their application outcome. 

  • November 9th: Presentation by top three finalists to the membership (5-7 pm)

  • November 30th:  Results of membership voting announced and grant recipients are notified.

  • March 1st, 2028: Written report by grantees of their outcomes.

We will send emails to  non-profits in Ravalli County and invite them to apply and rely on key contacts in the community to use social media and make announcements at appropriate meetings.  Our members are involved with over forty local nonprofits and will be asked to inform those organizations when the grant is available.  

Grant Invite
Grant Guidelines
Grant Application

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1. What are the basic eligibility requirements for a WIN Grant?  

a.  Applicant must be a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a certified nonprofit.

b.  Applicant must operate in and primarily serve Ravalli County. 

c.  The project must relate directly to Economic Empowerment for a specific group of beneficiaries.

d.  The project may not serve a political purpose or candidate or support lobbying for either.

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2.  Can religious  or political organizations apply for a BWGC Grant?  

No. Our grants will not support any religion or religiously affiliated organizations.  Similarly, we will not support any political candidates or politically affiliated orgnaizations.

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3.  Can a nonprofit submit more than one award proposal per year?

No.  We encourage applicants to focus their efforts on submitting a single strong proposal.

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4.  Can a former BWGC Grantee reapply for a grant?  

Yes.  Previous WIN grantees are eligible to apply again if they participated in Review Presentation and if the project was successfully completed. 

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5. Can the Grant be used outside of Ravalli County?

No, projects must operate in and serve residents of Ravalli County.

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6. Will BWGC provide a grant to a start-up organization?

BWGC looks for organizations with a track record of managing their funds responsibly for at least two years.  New and developing non-profits that are fiscally sponsored by more established organizations may be considered.

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7. Does BWGC fund research projects?

No, BWGC is focused on actively empowering women.

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8. Does BWGC have to be the primary or sole funder of a project?

No.  BWGC’s grant does not need to make up the majority of a project's funding.  BWGC will support projects with multiple funding sources, as long as BWGC’s contribution will make a meaningful difference in the project's success.  If additional funding is needed to complete the project, applicants should explain how those funds will be secured.

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9. Does BWGC conduct site visits?

No, BWGC does not make site visits.  Eligibility will be determined by the application form.

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10.  Does BWGC provide feedback on submitted Grant applications?

No, BWGC does not provide detailed feedback on proposals that are not selected.
 

11. What are the key dates in the 2026 Grant cycle?

                  Applications available: 4th week of August

                  Applications due:  midnight, September 30th

                  Finalists contacted: October 31st

                  Presentation by finalists:  November gathering (Monday, November 9th, 5-7 pm)

                  Awards given:  January, 2027 

                  Report by grantees to BWGC:  Due March, 2028. 

 

 

Grant Implementation:

1.  How many grants will BWCG award each year and what is the typical grant amount? 

The number and size of BWGC grants vary each year based on the total funds available and the amount requested for projects that BWGC believes will have the greatest impact. 

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2. Does BWCG always award the full amount of funding requested?

BWCG strives to fully fund projects whenever possible.  However, because available funds are limited and the process is highly competitive, WIN may not always be able to award the full amount requested.  In those cases, WIN will always consult with the organization first to discuss whether the project could still move forward effectively with a partial grant.
 

3. What is the duration of a typical Grant?

BWCG seeks to fund projects with outcomes that can be measured in about 12 months from the time of grant receipt.  BWCG does NOT provide multi-year funding.

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4. Are Grants paid in a lump sum or in installments over time?

Grants are paid in one lump sum.

 

5. What happens if all of the funding received from BWCG is not spent?

If there are unusual circumstances which created an obstacle to using the funds as agreed during the 12 months, the grant recipient will contact BWCG to determine if the funds will be

 returned or can be applied in the next year.

 

6. May a nonprofit modify how it uses the Grant money during the year?

A BWCG Grant must be used for the purpose stated in the Grant Application.  However, if a situation occurs that requires modification, the Grant recipient should contact the Steering Committee.

 

18. How are WIN Grants promoted?

BWCG will use information about the grant in various digital and print media; BWCG Grantees agree to use the BWCG logo and acknowledge BWCG's support. It is BWCG's goal to highlight grantees and promote their work to BWCG members and the community.

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