By Casey Hanisko, Co-Chair, 2024 Women & Girls Grant Committee 

As I walked into the 2024 Women & Girls PopUP! event in December, the energy in the room was palpable. The number of attendees had doubled since 2023, and their enthusiasm was evident. Little did they know, we had an ambitious task ahead of us: reviewing nine outstanding nonprofits that serve women and girls across the state, and selecting three recipients for the $15,000 grant, awarded in three categories—Mental Health & Housing, Re-Entry Support, and Access to Art in Schools. 

I first attended the Washington Women’s Foundation (WaWF) Women & Girls PopUP! event in 2023. Although I didn’t know what to expect, I was drawn to the concept of voting for organizations that focus exclusively on the needs of women and girls. When I joined WaWF five years ago, it was driven by my passion for supporting women. Over the years, I’ve learned that WaWF grants address inequity across the board, not just issues affecting women. However, the Women & Girls grant is unique in its specific focus on organizations that serve and are accountable to women and girls. 

As co-chair of the committee with Sasha Cousineau, we had just two months and three meetings to review over 100 applications. I want to share a few reflections from our process and highlight what mattered most to the WaWF members who supported the grant review this year. 

Laser Focus on Women & Girls 

A central goal of our review was ensuring that the grants would benefit women and girls. While WaWF doesn’t require this focus for its main annual grants, it was essential for us that these funds directly support organizations dedicated to this specific community. Applications came from organizations with programs tailored to women and girls or those that predominantly serve them. 

A key aspect of the WaWF grant review process is ensuring accountability to the community being served. For us, this meant looking for organizations where women played a central role—whether as leaders, team members, board members, or collaborators from the community. Many of the organizations we reviewed were led by women who had personally experienced challenges such as domestic violence, homelessness, sex trafficking, or incarceration. These women are not just recipients of help, but inspirational leaders who are making a profound difference. 

Small but Mighty 

During our review, we took into account both the size and location of the nonprofits. We were mindful of ensuring that organizations from across Washington had an opportunity to be considered, particularly those in grant “desert” areas and those with smaller budgets. A $15,000 grant can have a transformative impact on these smaller organizations, and we wanted to ensure their work could be supported as well. 

Political Reality Check 

As we reviewed the applications, we were also aware of the changing political landscape. With the results of several recent court cases and a new administration, there is uncertainty about the funding climate for nonprofits focused on both racial and gender equity. We felt a shared sense of urgency and the recognition that the work we were doing was even more important in this shifting environment. 

Connection with Other Passionate Women 

One of the most rewarding aspects of this process was the opportunity to connect with other women who are equally passionate about creating positive change. Through our meetings, we shared our perspectives, acknowledged our biases, and worked collaboratively to review applications. These moments of connection enriched our experience, and continued at the PopUP! event, where it was a pleasure to meet committee members in person. 

At the PopUP! event, a mix of WaWF members, their friends, and, most importantly, the potential grant winners, gathered to evaluate the finalists in each category. Maria Kolby-Wolfe, WaWF’s President and CEO, not only guided us through the evening’s process but also inspired us with her powerful words, underscoring the importance of the grants for these organizations. 

By the end of the evening, the three grant recipients were clear, and we were excited to announce that the remaining nominees would also receive $5,000 in recognition of their vital work. You can learn more about all the organizations here. The three grantees are: 

Access to Art in Schools 
First Sight Productions: First Sight Productions created SHARE: Screenwriting for Healing, Self-Actualization, Redemption, and Empathy—a transformative program for incarcerated women and youth that uses screenwriting and filmmaking as powerful tools for healing and personal growth. 

Re-Entry Support 
Arms Around You: Arms Around You offers programs designed to address the multiple barriers that formerly incarcerated Black women face in reintegration, providing critical support for successful re-entry into society. 

Mental Health & Housing 
Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative (IHTC): IHTC is a survivor-led organization with deep roots in Indigenous communities and communities of color. It provides culturally appropriate safe shelter, food, healthcare, mental health services, employment, and other critical resources to survivors of human trafficking. 

In the fall of 2025, the Women & Girls grant committee will reconvene to review applications for the small grants. If you are interested in joining, please contact WaWF staff, we would love to have you on the committee. To learn more about the grant committee, I encourage you to read this reflection from the 2023 co-chairs.