The direct service grant committee convened in March with ten enthusiastic WaWF members. I have participated in the grant-making process with Washington Women’s Foundation for a number of years and was very pleased to co-chair the Direct Service Grant Committee this year. It has been a year of change, as the Foundation embarked on a new process with a goal of awarding a grant to an organization serving Washington women and girls who are farthest from justice. 

The committee met online 4 times and between meetings, members worked individually as well as in pairs.  While Zoom is an easy way of including members who live or play outside of the Seattle area, it was important to us to create a community where all voices would be heard and respected from different perspectives. Half of the members were new to WaWF and/or new to WaWF grantmaking so we made an effort to get to know each other. Before diving into application review, we also discussed the meaning of trust-based philanthropy and direct service in order to build a shared understanding.   

We received a sizeable number of applications and through a pre-screening process, narrowed the number of applicants to 33. The committee evaluated the applications based on 3 criteria: an organization’s intention to focus on women and girls who are furthest from justice; an organization’s accountability to the community they serve; and an organization’s outcomes in their efforts to impact inequities. These are not simple variables to measure but each committee member individually read and scored the applications and then met with their assigned pair to further discuss. We came together as a full committee to discuss and then vote on our top 6 organizations. The process ended with online conversations with each of the six finalists. Next, the committee convened for the final time to review and recommend 2 organizations to be voted on by the full WaWF membership. Afghan Advantage was selected and the direct service committee is thrilled. 

One of the wonderful things about WaWF is its ability to continually reflect on past grant-making efforts and to evolve our process; I am proud of what we implemented. In past years we have met in person; this year – actually, since COVID – we conducted most of our meetings online. This year we held fewer meetings, reducing the overall time commitment of members who had previously indicated the process was too long.  This year we used  JustFund, a new software program that made it easier for organizations to apply and for members to read, review and score. As we have done in previous years, committee members spent time discussing each organization’s application and ultimately voted on our top 6. Also, like previous years, we had conversations with the finalists to hear directly from them about their mission and vision and outcomes.  These opportunities to get to know an organization, beyond their written application, are the best part of the whole grant process. Without a doubt, the hardest part of the process is deciding which two organizations will be selected for the final ballot. 

Overall, being involved in grant-making is educational, inspiring and a chance to work collaboratively with wise women.  I have made strong friendships through this activity and learned about non-profit organizations that are doing amazing work.  I am proud to be a member of Washington Women’s Foundation and to recognize its ability to change and grow. I invite you to become a member if you are not already and to participate in next year’s effort to select a worthy organization that is doing direct service with women and girls who are furthest from justice.  Congratulations to Afghan Advantage and to the members of WaWF who worked so hard to make that selection.