Request for Proposals
The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) has developed a model non-partisan program to train and educate women to seek public leadership roles. Our Ready to Run® National Network of 20 state-based partners operating in 21 states and territories helps advance women’s political leadership and enhance and strengthen the capacity of organizations committed to increasing the number of women in public office. Each of our 501(c)3 partners conduct their own state-based version of our Ready to Run® campaign training.
We know that one of the greatest challenges in running these programs is securing the financial resources necessary to sustain the program. Thanks to an investment from Pivotal Ventures, CAWP will offer grants to our Ready to Run® National Network partners to help sustain and grow your campaign training programs. There will be two cycles of granting: first in the spring of 2021 and a second cycle in the spring of 2022. Each year, the gift amount award will be $5,000 per organization. A partner may apply and receive funding in both years. These grants are provided to existing partners only. In addition to supporting your work, our hope is that this investment will help partners leverage other potential funders for support.
Applying for a Sponsorship
Sponsorships are available to existing partners only and are intended to support the work the partner is already conducting or planning. We ask each partner who would like to receive funding to complete the application form. You will be notified within two weeks of your application submission, and funding will be released on a rolling basis as applications are approved. Applications are now open for the second cycle, with a final application deadline of May 16, 2022.
Following are criteria and expectations for a successful application:
- Must be an existing Ready to Run® partner.
- Must submit a written plan of action for utilizing the funding towards Ready to Run® programming, including planned dates for the next program and expected outcomes. Proposals must address diversity challenges and opportunities, and plans to address them. Proposals should also address the challenges of offering campaign trainings during the COVID-19 pandemic, if it has affected your plans moving forward, and how you will continue this work in light of the moment.
- Funding must be utilized for a program within one year of receipt, or the partner must notify CAWP of any changes to your plans that alter the expected timeline for use of funds within one year (unforeseen changes are acceptable, but we ask that we are notified of the changes and reasons for the adjustment.)
- Partner must submit a final report which includes the impact of the grant funding on the planning and implementation of the training, additional fundraising, ongoing or unforeseen challenges, and other observations. Report must be submitted within two months of the completion of the funded program.
Contact:
Jean Sinzdak
Center for American Women and Politics
Eagleton Institute of Politics
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
sinzdak@eagleton.rutgers.edu