NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Girls Grantmaking Program Equips High School Girls to Give Back and Spark Change in their Communities

Now Accepting Applications: Girls Grantmaking Program Equips High School
Girls to Give Back and Spark Change in their Communities

The Chester County Fund for Women and Girls is now accepting applications for the 15th class of its award-winning Girls Advisory Board (GAB) program. Applications are available online at http://ccfwg.org/girls-advisory-board/ and will be accepted until Friday, May 25th. CCFWG is looking for applicants from high school girls living in Chester County who are entering their sophomore or junior year in the fall of 2018. If selected, the program is free to all participants – accepted girls are also able to participate in GAB for up to two years.

One of only a few programs of its kind in the country, GAB offers a unique opportunity for local high school girls looking to get involved in their communities and learn about the grant making process. Each GAB class awards $20,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations of their choice to better the lives of women and girls in Chester County. Over the past 14 years, GAB has awarded over $220,000 to agencies who target the needs of women and girls through innovative services to tackle issues like poverty, illiteracy, violence, homelessness, mental illness, teen pregnancy and substance abuse. From September 2018 to February 2019, GAB members will learn about and discuss community needs, create their own grant application, review proposals, conduct site visits and work together as a group to award grants to the organizations they feel best address their identified priorities. They will also participate in workshops and activities related to leadership development, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship.

Additionally, GAB has welcomed a member of nearly every public, private and parochial high school in Chester County over the past 14 years. GAB girls have helped CCFWG raise awareness of the issues faced by girls and young women throughout our communities: GAB: 

  • Has awarded 80 grants to organizations working on behalf of girls. These grants have helped organizations across Chester County start new projects, provide training and leadership opportunities, and reach out to diverse populations.
  • Was awarded the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Greater Philadelphia Chapter. This award has previously recognized youth philanthropy projects such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Youthadelphia.

Applications will be accepted via the Chester County Fund for Women and Girls’ website at http://ccfwg.org/girls-advisory-board/ until Friday, May 25th. Please contact Maeve Kelly with any questions about the application process at mkelly@ccfwg.org.