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 in their world through hands-on organizational stewardship, their Summer Institute, Community Action Placements (CAP) internship program, Leadership Institute, and /or the ELLA Fellowship (Engage, Learn, Lead, Act). These programs promote the fundamental philosophy of SNLP, 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 50 young women. SNLP students use their interaction with the Leaders to examine the way 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 - be it in our personal lives, the workplace, or in 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 voice, build inner strength, and develop the confidence to pursue what really matters to us. 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 non-profit 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) non-profit 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 on-line. Paper applications will be returned. The 2010 application will open on February 1 and will be due no later than March 15. Applications are 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
Please click the button below to take the eligibility quiz and log on to our on-line application.
Contact
For questions concerning EILEEN FISHER'S Grant Programs, please contact Reisa Brafman, Social Consciousness Associate, at communitysupport@eileenfisher.com.
