Deadline: October 31, 2025

Applications are open for the AAUW Community Action Grants 2026. The AAUW Community Action Grants seek to dismantle barriers to girls’ participation in STEM and create a pipeline of diverse talent in these fields. Community Action Grants fund innovative, community-based programs that create pathways for K-12 girls to develop STEM confidence, skills, and identity — encouraging them to pursue STEM higher education and careers.

These grants are designed to support programs that provide hands-on learning, mentorship from women in STEM, family involvement, and confidence-building experiences. American Association of University Women (AAUW) is particularly interested in reaching girls from historically underrepresented communities, ensuring that all young women can succeed in STEM fields.


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Grant

  • The Community Action Grants offer up to $75,000 to support nonprofits and educational institutions dedicated to helping girls in grades K–12 build the skills, confidence, and preparation they need to thrive in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Eligibility

Organizations must:

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  • Be incorporated as a nonprofit with a federally designated tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code or be fiscally sponsored by an organization with 501(c)(3) status. Educational institutions such as K-12 schools are also eligible to apply. 
  • Be U.S. based. 
  • Have a proven track record of designing and delivering programming for girls in grades K-12, or for emerging organizations, demonstrated organizational capacity and commitment to the proposed project. This may include:
    • A well-developed plan that outlines how the project will be implemented, measured, and sustained 
    • A team with relevant experience, skills, or background that supports successful project execution 
    • A clear record of designing and implementing programs specifically for girls 
    • Ability to share specific examples of past programming, including insights and lessons learned 
    • Evidence of community trust and relationships with participants and their families 
    • Demonstrated support or collaboration from stakeholders, including community groups or other organizations 
  • Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and improvement. This may include:
    • Established systems for gathering and responding to feedback from participants 
    • At least one concrete example of how programming has been adapted in response to insights gained  
    • Openness to ongoing refinement based on participant experiences 
    • For emerging organizations, a clear and intentional plan for incorporating learning into future program development 
  • Reflect the communities served. This can take different forms:
    • Having leadership and staff with lived experience in the communities served 
    • Authentic community engagement through advisory groups, listening sessions, or co-design processes 
    • Transparent practices for incorporating community input into decision-making 
  • Demonstrate sound financial management. All applicants must demonstrate all three of the following requirements:
    • Basic financial systems appropriate to the organization’s size and stage 
    • Ability to track grant expenditures and provide reports on fund usage 
    • Transparency about financial challenges or needs

Application

  • Submit LOIs: To help them understand if your work aligns with their funding priorities and to potentially save time on a full application, you begin with a Letter of Interest. LOIs must be submitted via AAUW’s application portal.
  • Full Application (By Invitation Only): Successful applicants will be invited to complete a more detailed application.


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For more information, visit AAUW Community Action Grants.

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