Seeds of Strength is a philanthropic women’s giving circle whose members connect with the Georgetown community, enrich lives through fellowship, and award grants to nonprofits as selected by our members.
Since 2010
About Our Grants
Each year Seeds of Strength pools the annual membership donations, accepts and evaluates grant applications received from local nonprofits, and then distributes grant awards based on a democratic selection of grantees by the membership.
To be considered for a Seeds of Strength grant, an organization must serve clients who reside in the Greater Georgetown area and be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
Seeds of Strength awards grants in four areas of interest: Health and Well-Being, Family, Education/Financial Security, and Arts and Culture. Grant requests will be considered for new and ongoing programs and projects, as well as for operational support. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. The total amount awarded each year is determined by the size of the membership.
We award grants in the spring of each year. Nonprofits wishing to apply for funds to be awarded in May 2025 must follow the process found at Apply for a Grant with steps that begin in 2024.
For more information contact grants@seedsofstrength.org.
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In 2024, we established our Founders Grant to be awarded from funds outside our pooled annual membership donations.
Our Grant Making Team
The Grants Committee uses a thorough and participative grantmaking process. This in-depth process is designed to help educate members to become more knowledgeable and skilled philanthropists. Grantmaking practices are conducted with integrity, fiscal responsibility, respect, and fairness to community organizations. We strive to be good stewards of our members’ investment.
Members of the Grants Committee follow a rigorous evaluations process, identify questions and concerns, and ultimately rank the proposals to submit to the Board, which will determine the finalists. All Seeds of Strength members then vote on the finalists in May to determine which requests are funded.
Our Volunteers
- Grants Standing Committee: Reads and evaluates the applicants’ LOI’s and grant proposals, conducts information sessions to help nonprofits better understand the Seeds of Strength’s grant application process, and oversees the annual grant cycle process.
- Grant Evaluation Subcommittee: Reads and scores grant proposals.
- Financial Subcommittee: Analyzes the financial statements of all agencies submitting grant proposals.
After grants are awarded in May, members of the Seeds of Strength Compliance Committee work with grant recipients to monitor progress throughout the year (July 1-June 30) to ensure agencies meet their goals and that grants have the intended impact.
In 2024, we awarded eleven grants totaling $156,500.
| Awardee of Grant | Initiative | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Sunshine Camps | Scholarships for overnight campers | $25,000 |
| Brookwood in Georgetown | Enterprise management for vocational program | $14,000 |
| Capital IDEA | Educational support for working adults | $25,000 |
| CASA of Williamson County | Providing case advocates for children in the court system | $19,000 |
| Faith in Action | Transportation to meet the needs of senior adults | $25,000 |
| Georgetown Family YMCA | Financial assistance to attend Camp Brightwell | $10,000 |
| The Georgetown Project | Serving at-risk high school students, including summer employment opportunities | $25,000 |
| A Gift of Time | Dementia respite care | $12,000 |
| Merit Award – Opportunities for Williamson & Burnet Counties | Meals on Wheels | $500 |
| Merit Award – The Salvation Army | Services for the homeless | $500 |
| Merit Award – The Williamson Museum | Digital exhibits | $500 |