Zonta taking applications for empowerment grants
The Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida, the non-profit arm of the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva, is seeking applications for its 2022 grants from non-profits in Lee County and Southwest Florida whose work helps to empower women.
Last year, Zonta SanCap streamlined the grants process to a single application. This year, the decision has been made to distribute the funds in December instead of January, when grants were awarded.
This year’s grants cycle focuses on empowerment, with applications incorporating one or more of the following: training, education and/or affordable housing. Applications must also specify measurable outcomes. The applications will be screened and move forward based on meeting Zonta’s mission and the empowerment criteria.
Zonta SanCap is part of Zonta International, a global organization of professionals empowering women worldwide through service and advocacy. Similarly, the island chapter focuses on education, economic self-sufficiency, safety, and health for women and girls.
“We hope the new empowerment application gets our grantees thinking outside of the box on innovative programs and projects that empower women through training, education and affordable housing,” Grant Committee Co-chair Marianne Ravenna said.
Applicants are asked to note the following:
– Since Zonta is non-sectarian, applications from organizations with a faith-based or religious connection are not eligible.
– Submitting an application does not ensure that the organization will automatically receive funding.
– Successful applicants will be expected to work collaboratively as needed with a liaison from Zonta.
The deadline for completed applications is July 16.
To download an application, visit www.zontasancap.com and click on “Grant Applications.”
Email the completed application to info@zontasancap.com, as well as to Grants Committee Co-chairs Marianne Ravenna at groovybowl@gmail.com and Pam Eccles at pam901@aol.com. Applications can also be mailed to the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida, P.O. Box 1244, Sanibel, FL 33957.
Over the past 20 years, the Zonta Foundation has distributed more than $1 million in grants to qualifying charitable organizations. Although fundraising was down for the prior two years due to COVID-19, the committee has worked to find ways to stretch this year’s support commitments.