The Canada Women's Foundation is Canada's only national public foundation for women and girls. It was established in 1991 and has raised almost $47 million to fund over 1,000 projects across Canada. Its priority areas are moving women out of poverty, ending violence against women, and building strong resilient girls. The document provides tips for organizations applying for funding, including knowing the funder's mission and priorities, writing clear and succinct proposals that address the funding criteria, and following reporting requirements if funded.

1. Title here
OCASI Conference
November 2010
Funders Panel

2. About CWF
• Canada’s only national public foundation for women and
girls - established in 1991
• Raised almost $47 million & funded 1,000 projects
across Canada – annual, multi-year & developmental
• Priority Areas:
 Moving women out of poverty
 Ending violence against women
 Building strong resilient girls
• Funding Scope:
 Programs and projects, public education , policy, capacity
building, evaluation, leadership and skills training

3. Overview
1. Know Your Funder
2. Before You Start
3. Writing Your Proposal
4. Building The Case For Funding
5. What To Avoid
6. If You Are Successful

4. Know Your Funder
• Mission and Mandate
• Priorities:
 Program focus areas and target populations
 Geographic reach
 New and emerging issues
• Funding Scope:
 Programs and projects
 Policy, education, and advocacy
 Community leadership and engagement
• Grants Criteria and Timelines
• Key Staff

5. Before You Start
• Make sure your project concept fits the grants criteria
• Check the funding history - what has the funder
supported in the past?
• Consult partners well in advance
• Know the audience you are writing for
• Know the decision making process
• Prepare materials that support your application early so
main focus can be proposal writing
• Ensure that references are familiar with your proposal
• Contact Grants Officers if you have questions

6. Writing the Proposal
• Customize your proposal
• Balance : context - passion - solutions
• Be clear, specific, and succinct
• Link proposal to funding priorities and criteria
• Ensure financial information is accurate and realistic
• Be sure to proof read the proposal
• Package the materials for easy reading and flow
• Remember that decision makers are reading many
applications – you want to keep them interested and
excited about your proposal

7. Building the Case for Funding
• Make sure your proposal is persuasive and compelling
• Set out the social context /challenge/inequity
• Describe the impact of the context on individuals,
families, or communities
• Show how your project will contribute to individual,
community, or social change
• Use your experience, research, best practices,
stories, or evaluation results to support your proposal
• Indicate how you will measure success/change

8. What to Avoid
• Challenges with CRA requirements
• Proposals that are not within the mandate or priorities
of the foundation
• Recycled proposals
• Incomplete applications
• Applications that exceed the recommended length
• Language that is vague and jargon-filled
• Missing the application deadline

9. If You Are Successful
• Complete funding agreements promptly
• Set up internal processes to make sure you meet
reporting and evaluation requirements
• If the project is delayed inform your funder
• Get approval in advance if you want to change your
budget or reallocate funding
• Recognize the funder in your agency’s public and
annual reports

10. If You Are Successful
• Complete funding agreements promptly
• Set up internal processes to make sure you meet
reporting and evaluation requirements
• If the project is delayed inform your funder
• Get approval in advance if you want to change your
budget or reallocate funding
• Recognize the funder in your agency’s public and
annual reports