The Valentine Foundation structures its grantmaking around four key Indicators of Social Change, adapted from the Women’s Funding Network. These indicators help guide both applicants and trustees in evaluating the impact of proposed projects. Grants support efforts that redefine issues, enhance community engagement, shift policies, or preserve past gains in gender equality. Applicants can request general operating or project-specific funding, with grants ranging from $7,000 to $15,000, and multi-year options available.

Who is eligible to apply for grants from the Valentine Foundation?

Our grants are primarily available to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area that focus on improving the lives of women, girls, and non-binary individuals. We particularly encourage applications from organizations led by women and those serving underrepresented communities.

Application Process

1. When can I submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)?
   
   • The LOI submission period opens on June 30, 2025, and the deadline for submitting an LOI is August 31, 2025. Please ensure your LOI is completed and submitted online by this date. Preview the 2025 LOI Questions.
2. What is the process for reviewing letters of interest (LOIs) and proposals?
   
   • After the August 31st, submission deadline, the Valentine Foundation Trustees will review and rank all LOIs. The top-ranked proposals are then discussed at an October meeting. If your organization is selected at this stage, a Trustee will contact you with feedback and invite you to submit a full proposal.
3. Who is eligible to submit a Full Proposal Grant Application?
   
   • Only organizations invited by the Valentine Foundation may submit a Full Proposal Grant Application. If your Letter of Intent (LOI) is selected, you’ll be contacted by a Trustee with feedback and an invitation to proceed with the full application.
   • What types of questions are included in the  Grant Application?
   • These Application Questions are available for your reference to help you review and prepare your responses ahead of time. Please note, however, that all applications must be completed and submitted directly through our online application portal.
4. When are final grant decisions made, and when will grants be awarded?
   
   1. The Trustees review all full proposals in November, during which they make the final grant allocations. Selected organizations will receive their grant funds by the end of November.

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What does the foundation NOT fund?

• Organizations that are not determined to be a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Programs that solely provide direct service to women and girls, but do not result in meaningful social change, fall outside the Valentine Foundation mission and will not be funded, since they do not meet our social change criteria

• Scholarships
• Endowments
• Capital campaigns
• International initiatives
• Individuals
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Political organizations for political purposes

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Shared Via Common River

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