Lantern League Grants

The online application and member nomination form, as well as the information session and printable instructions, are available by clicking here.

• Online Application (open from September 1-September 30)
  • Submitted through the online application form in the link above.
• Required Supplemental Financial Information
  • Email the following to grants.lanternleague@gmail.com:
    • IRS Determination Letter
    • IRS Form 990 (for most current year)
    • Annual Audit Report (if available)
    • Program Budget (including information about how grants will be used)
• Member Nomination Form
  • Organizations should verify their Lantern League nominating member has completed and submitted the nomination form on their behalf
• Short Presentation
  • Organizations chosen as finalists will be asked to give a short presentation during the membership voting meeting

Lantern League does not accept unsolicited grants. Rather, our membership proactively researches 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations working in the field of education for women and girls. Our members then nominate those organizations for grants. Our steering committee reviews the applications, and then our membership votes to decide which grants will be funded each year. Based upon the membership designation at the time of joining or renewing, the committee also determines how much of the money will be allocated to Presentation High School – which is a non-profit organization with its own 501(c)(3) status.

Programs must meet the following guidelines to be eligible for a grant from Lantern League:

• Nominated by a Lantern League member in good standing
• Support women and girls through programs that educate to empower
• Tie grant funding to direct impact on individuals’ lives
• Provide evidence of long-term sustainability
• Funding is requested for current year expenditures
• Be a 501(c)(3) US non-profit organization and demonstrate fiscal responsibility
• No fiscal sponsors allowed
• Provide an informative organization website or web page
• Allow Lantern League use of your logo and/or a program photo, if requested, to be used in our grant application voting materials for membership
• Provide detailed program budget including how grant funds would be used. Note: Administrative expenses may not exceed 10% of grant amount
• Provide required follow-up program progress and/or completion reporting
• Program services occur in the Greater San Francisco Bay area within the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Sonoma
• Nonprofits may receive only two grant awards during a rolling 3 year window, after which a one to two year break is required.  Click here to read more.