The Ojai Women's Fund (OWF) is an all-volunteer collective giving circle dedicated to making grants on an annual basis to nonprofit organizations that target critical needs in the Ojai Valley.

Please carefully read the sections below, and make sure that your organization fits the Funding, Eligibility and Award Criteria. If you need other assistance in filling out the application, contact grants@ojaiwomensfund.com

Due Date: Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026. Late and incomplete proposals are not accepted. All applications must be submitted electronically.

Funding: Grant amounts may range from $10,000-$20,000 and will fund programs/projects that address critical needs for Ojai Valley residents, with a focus on arts, education, environment, health, or social services.

Applicant Eligibility- Financial data is requested to ensure the capacity to achieve stated goals within the application request.

• eligible applicants are organizations certified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. IRS Code for a minimum of one year from date of IRS Final Determination 501(c)(3) Letter and classified as “not a private foundation" under Section 509(a) are eligible for funding.

• eligible applicants include not for profit organizations with a fiscal sponsor. The fiscal sponsor serves as a fiscal sponsor for the proposed project. The fiscal sponsor must be an established IRS 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization for a minimum of one year from the date of the IRS Final Determination 501 (c)(3) Letter and it must agree to accept donations on behalf of the grant applicant.

Grants will support:

• general operating support

• existing program/project expenses or program expansions

• new programs/project expenses

Grants will not be made:

• to organizations that discriminate against groups or individuals in the delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, or disability

• to individuals

• for operating deficits

• for endowment funds, or annual fund drives

• for fundraising dinners or events

• for research programs without a direct service component

• for influencing legislation and/or elections, for political candidates, political campaigns

• to faith-based organizations or religious programs whose principal purpose is promulgating a particular religious faith, creed or doctrine

• while some of our grants support education-related programs, we do not fund individual or named scholarships