HOW WE WORK
The Concept
The concept is simple. Each voting member donates a minimum of $1,000 annually. Non-voting supporters are welcome to join at any level. Through an extensive grant outreach and screening process, potential grant recipients are identified and fully vetted. Ballots go out to members in March asking that they rank the order in which they would like to see the pool of money awarded, which means members direct their donations. Based on those rankings, we award the money in May. By stipulating that the grants be used to fund tangible, sustainable projects in greater L.A., Women Helping Youth ensures that members and supporters know exactly where their money is going and are able to see their philanthropy in action. Three all-volunteer committees do the work of Women Helping Youth.
The Process
Grant Outreach: The grant outreach team starts over the summer. They receive grant requests and work with potential grantees through the application process, ensuring they meet the criteria needed to obtain a WHY grant. To see a list of criteria, click here.
Grant Screening: The grant screening committee works from October through March. They fully vet the organizations that have applied for grants, by checking financial records, emailing and calling to find out more details about the requests, and making site visits to every organization that applies for a grant. They then determine which grant requests go onto the ballot, which explains all of the requests in detail. The ballot is emailed to our members in March.
Voting: In March, members vote for the order in which they would like to see the money in the pool awarded. The money is awarded until there is none left in the pool.
Grant Awards: In late April or early May, there is a brunch for all members, supporters, and grant recipients. The organizations accept their grant money and explain the impact of the grant on the youth that participate in their program. The brunch is underwritten by a generous donor, so it is free to all who attend.
Grant Monitoring: The monitoring committee is in action year-round. They work with the new recipients to gather receipts and make sure the organizations are in compliance with the agreements. They visit recipients to see the grants in action. The monitoring committee then follows up with recipients for three years to ensure the grants are in compliance.
Our expenses
WHY is an all-volunteer organization, which means none of the money we receive goes to pay salaries. Of every dollar donated, 95 cents goes to funding grants. WHY’s only expenses are banking, internet, website hosting, and insurance payments.
