Women’s Giving Circle of Chautauqua County Announces Grant Opportunity to Expand Childcare Access
The Women's Giving Circle of Chautauqua County (WGC), a collective of women dedicated to positively impacting the lives of women and children through pooled resources and collaborative grantmaking, is excited to announce its first-ever grant opportunity. These inaugural funds are to support the development of innovative childcare solutions that meet the diverse needs of Chautauqua County families, with an overall goal of improving the stability and earning potential for women.
With up to $50,000 in funding available, this initiative seeks innovative and impactful projects that address the growing need for quality childcare in Chautauqua County. The WGC is committed to supporting projects that expand the availability and accessibility of childcare across diverse settings, improve the quality of existing childcare programs, and develop unique collaborations or strategic partnership that address the ongoing challenge. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and partnerships or fiscally sponsored entities.
Organizations interested in applying must first submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) by April 25, 2025. Information about the LOI and a virtual informational session scheduled for April 7, 2025 can be found on Chautauqua Grants. This session will provide an overview of the grants process and answer any questions. Following the LOI review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Funding decisions will be made at the WGC Annual Meeting in July, where members will vote to determine the final grant recipient.
“This grant marks an exciting milestone for the Women’s Giving Circle and demonstrates the power of collective giving,” said Jane Cleaver Becker, founder of the WGC. “We never imagined over 100 members and $50,000 to distribute in our inaugural year. We are thrilled to see the generosity of our members come to life in the form of this grant, which will directly benefit families in our community.”
The selected grant recipient will be invited to share the impact of their project at the July 2026 Annual Meeting, providing insight into how the funding has supported childcare quality, access and opportunities in Chautauqua County.
For more information on eligibility, guidelines, and the application process, visit Chautauqua Grants crcf.me/WGCGrants or contact Lindsey Goold, Donor Services Officer at lgoold@crcfonline.org or 716-661-3390.
About the Chautauqua County Women's Giving Circle: The Chautauqua County Women's Giving Circle is a collective of women dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of women and children in Chautauqua County. Through pooled resources and collaborative grantmaking, we strive to support initiatives that address critical community needs.
