Women in Philanthropy Application & Awarding Information

The following is our approved criteria for proposal funding eligibility:

1. Proposals for funding must:
   • Be affiliated with UofL and further the university’s mission and/or strategic plan.
   • Identify one full-time faculty or staff member to act as the primary point of contact/responsible party
   • Provide a completed application, including a detailed budget and signature page, for a suitable project.
2. Students eligible to participate in funded proposals must be enrolled and in good standing at the University of Louisville. They may be undergraduates, graduates, or professional degree students (not high school students or non-postsecondary students). Transfer and non-traditional students via traditional and alternative paths are eligible.
3. Student scholarships and stipends may cover tuition/mandatory fees, room and board, books, health insurance, childcare, other related living expenses, experiential learning programs, internships, etc.
4. Faculty/Staff eligible to participate in funded proposals may be full-time or part-time and must be in good standing at the University of Louisville.
5. Women in Philanthropy funding will not contribute to endowment funds, contingency funds, or salaries.
6. Funding requests are limited to no more than $10,000 per proposal. Funding for approved proposals will be made available in February.
7. Funding must be used by June 30 of the following year. Remaining unused funds on July 1, will be returned to the Women in Philanthropy program account.
8. Women in Philanthropy funding is open to all members of our community, regardless of race, national origin, color, sex or religion. We are committed to fostering a welcoming environment for all.
9. Proposals for funding must have the approval of the dean or vice president of their program’s respective area.
10. Finalists for award funding must have a representative of the project present at the finalist proposal presentation for current Women in Philanthropy members.
11. Award recipients must:
    • Submit a progress report 6 months post-award
    • Submit a final report by July 31 of the following year.
    • Attend and have a representative present at the Award Impact meeting to share proposal outcome.

Award recipients should acknowledge support from UofL’s Women in Philanthropy in communications, presentations, publications and events, as appropriate.

If an emergency prevents the full intended use of awarded funds, a grantee may amend the proposal during the term allowed for expenditures, or may request an extension of time, subject to written approval of the office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.

All award funding progress and final reports must include a list of expenditures. A final report of all expenditures is due at the completion of the award cycle.

UofL Women in Philanthropy Program – Awarding Process

The University of Louisville Women in Philanthropy Program is proud to launch its first year of financial awards. Each proposal may request up to $10,000 in support.

• Application Period: Opens in September and closes October 31.
• Finalist Selection: In November, proposals are reviewed for eligibility. A group of finalists will be invited to the Proposal Showcase event to present their ideas to the Women in Philanthropy membership.
• Proposal Showcase & Voting: Held in January, this event allows members with voting rights to hear directly from finalists and rank proposals for funding consideration.
• Award Decisions: In February, the ranked proposals are sent to the UofL Provost for approval and final award determinations.
• Funding Distribution: Funds become available in April and must be used by June 30 of the following year.
• Impact Celebration: During the upcoming year, members and award recipients will gather for an event where grantees present progress updates on their funded projects.

Award recipients agree to return any unused funds to UofL’s Women in Philanthropy program at the conclusion of their project. Recipients must also attend the Impact Celebration to provide updates on the progress of their funded initiatives. This allows members to see firsthand how their pooled giving is making a difference at the University of Louisville and provides valuable networking opportunities between donors and award recipients

Why did we start UofL Women in Philanthropy?

In summer 2024, two-time alumna Lucy Helm committed to a lead gift launching a new program where people with a common vision—to build a better UofL – can come together to support this goal. Each year membership fees will be pooled to support the university, its students, research, and programs. These funds will be used to grant financial awards to qualified and selected applicants.

How are colleges and programs notified about the WIP award program?

The Request for Proposals (RFP) is distributed each year through university channels such as student newsletters, UofL Today, and on campus outreach.

When can grant proposals be submitted?

Proposals may be submitted after the application site goes live in mid-September. They must be received by October 31.

Is there a limit on the number of proposals that each college or program may submit?

No, not this year (2025). However, depending on volume, this may change in the future.

How do we determine what the total available funding is each year?

The amount we award each year is based on the number of members that contribute for that calendar year. Each member pays an annual membership fee to join, and those fees are combined and maintained to be awarded each year.

Is there a limit on the dollar amount that each college or program can request?

Yes. Grant proposal requests cannot exceed $10,000 in 2025.

Are all classifications of students eligible to receive support from WIP grant funding?

Students must be enrolled at UofL and be in good standing as defined by the University. Eligible students include undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree students. Transfer and non-traditional students via traditional and alternative paths are eligible. High school students not enrolled at UofL and non-UofL postsecondary students are not eligible.

Is it true that only females are eligible to receive funding?

No. There is no gender preference. This program's support is open to the entire campus community.

Can funds be used to pay faculty salary?

No. Funds do not support faculty salaries. However, consumable materials for instruction or programming required for the proposal are allowable expenses. The amount requested should be supported by descriptions of the items and estimates of their costs.

If the grant is for scholarships, what does that cover?

Proposals to provide scholarships may have the funds cover tuition and mandatory fees, room and board, book, cultural and international experiences, travel, health insurance, childcare, and internships.

Can funds be used to support an existing college or program endowment or a contingency fund?

No.

Are colleges or programs encouraged to submit supporting documents, pamphlets, or other brochures?

No, as they cannot be replicated for distribution to the entire membership.

Are colleges and programs required to present a detailed budget that explains their funding request?

Yes. Proposals without detailed budgets will not be considered.

How technical should my proposal and presentation be?

The proposal and presentation verbiage should not be so technical that it cannot be understood by the public. There are also word limitations on the funding request questions. A separate, detailed budget must accompany the request.

Is the person that presents the initial proposal also expected to present if their college or program is selected as one of ten finalists?

That is the committee’s preference, but it is not mandatory. We do expect the person presenting to do so with a full understanding of the proposal and with enthusiasm.

Who is responsible for reviewing the proposals to make sure they have followed the guidelines?

The WIP Staff Steering Committee members do the initial review of the grant proposals. Once reviewed they are compiled and prepared for the semi-final round.

How and when are the first-round grant proposal presentations made?

First- round grant proposals are made in November virtually to the WIP Executive Committee. Presentations are limited to ten minutes and may include a PowerPoint presentation. (Pending volume, this step may be deemed unnecessary.)

May I have a co-presenter?

You may decide how many faculty or staff join you in your presentation. Your students are also allowed to co-present.

How are the final proposals selected?

At the November meeting the Executive Committee members rank their favorite proposals in preferred order. (1 highest to ten lowest). Presentations are also recorded so members not in attendance can watch them and rank them. Those results are then compiled and those with the highest rankings are moved forward for consideration by the full membership.

How and when are the finalists presented to the full membership?

Once the top presentations are selected, the college or program is notified and asked to present in person at the December 2 meeting to the full membership. Presentation times are limited to ten minutes and may include a PowerPoint presentation.

How are the final proposals that receive funding selected?

The final proposals are reviewed by the full membership at the December meeting. After all presentations are made, each member ranks them in their preferred order. (1 highest to ten lowest). Presentations are recorded so members not in attendance can watch them and rank them. Staff will then compile those results and present recommendations to the UofL Provost for approval and final award determinations. It is possible that proposals could receive partial funding. If an emergency prevents the full intended use of the awarded funds during the awarding period, an awardee may amend the proposal during the term allowed for expenditures, or may request an extension of time, subject to approval of the Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement.

How long do you have to use the grant funding?

Funding awarded is available beginning in April of the next year and must be spent by the end of the following June (for example funds available in April 2026 must be spent by June 30, 2027).

Can funded programs apply again in the future?

Yes, however there is a limit of two consecutive years. Funding is not intended for and should not be counted on for yearly or consistent support.

Questions? Contact Mary Ann Vetter at maryann.vetter@louisville.edu.