The Sadie Nash Leadership Project (SNLP) promotes leadership and activism among young women in New York City. Working with over 250 girls annually, the program strengthens, empowers and equips young women as agents for change. Its programs include hands-on organizational stewardship, the Summer Institute, the Community Action Placements (CAP) internship program, and the Leadership Institute and /or the ELLA Fellowship (Engage, Learn, Lead, Act). These programs promote SNLP's fundamental belief that every young woman is a catalyst for social change. SNLP was a 2007 EILEEN FISHER Self-Image Grant recipient. Eileen was a guest Wednesday Leader during their 2009 Summer Institute, where she shared her story and sources of strength with fifty young women. SNLP students use their interaction with the Leaders to examine the ways in which different types of leadership can be cooperative, accountable, ethical and effective.
Activating Leadership Grant Guidelines
Eileen strongly believes each of us has the ability to lead--in our personal lives, the workplace and our communities. There are many ways to lead, many styles of leadership and many kinds of effective leaders. Bold or introspective, outgoing or imaginative, we each have the potential to make a difference.
By activating the natural leadership qualities within ourselves, we are able to find our voices, build inner strength and develop the confidence to pursue what really matters. This is the essence of EILEEN FISHER's Activating Leadership Grant Program for Women and Girls.
For three years beginning in 2010, EILEEN FISHER will fund programs that activate leadership qualities in women and girls. We are particularly interested in programs that:
- bring about self-discovery and personal transformation
- help women and/or girls find their inner strength and trust their intuition
- address any phase of a woman's and/or girl's life
Grant Cycle
Our grant program will review applications from nonprofit organizations in three annual cycles along the following themes
Year 1 (2010): Achieving Personal Transformation
Year 2 (2011): Applying Leadership Attributes
Year 3 (2012): Leading for Impact
What We Look For
Each year, grants of $5,000 or more will be awarded, including grants for general support and seed funding for grassroots organizations. Grants beyond Year 1 will be open to any applying organization, not just those who have received a grant in Year 1. Additionally, the receipt of a Year 1 Activating Leadership Grant does not automatically qualify an organization for a grant in Year 2 or 3. All organizations must reapply each year. In our search for 501(c)(3) nonprofit community partners: we will give preference to organizations that:
- show an innovative, holistic, effective and direct approach to activating leadership among women and/or girls
- form partnerships with other community organizations for deeper impact
- demonstrate the long-term sustainability and viability of the organization
- show a clear need for the funds and a plan for their use
- demonstrate a long-term commitment to their work
- establish resonance with the EILEEN FISHER company mission and leadership practices
- are located near the EILEEN FISHER offices, retail stores or showrooms or outside the United States (via U.S.-based charities only).
How To Apply
Applications are only accepted online. Paper applications will be returned. The 2011 application process will open on February 1. All applications must be received no later than 11:59 pm EST on March 15. They will be reviewed by a committee of EILEEN FISHER employees in a three-stage process:
Stage 1 (spring): Semi-finalists selected and asked to submit additional application information.
Stage 2 (spring/summer): Finalists selected and interviewed via phone or site visit.
Stage 3 (fall): Grantees selected.
Due to the volume of applications, we regret that we are unable to respond to individual inquiries. Before applying, please review our guidelines, criteria and themes to make sure you are qualified on all points. Only candidates who meet the specifications should apply.
Please click the button below to take the eligibility quiz and log on to our on-line application.
