Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can join Nevada Women’s Philanthropy?
   NWP membership is open to any woman who wants to leverage her contribution to the Southern Nevada community through pooled giving.
2. Why give to an NWP selected nonprofit rather than select my own favorite?
   The short answer is leverage and impact. Sometimes individual giving can seem like a drop in the bucket. Most often a donor’s gift is allocated to a general fund and the donor may never know how the money was spent or what difference it made to the community. By donating through NWP, your investment will be pooled with other $5,000 donations and made to a thoroughly vetted organization, a specific project, and monitored to ensure impactful results.
3. Do I have to do anything besides pay membership contributions?
   NWP is an all-volunteer organization that is structured to make it as easy as possible for members. You can participate as much or as little as your time permits. Each member is eligible to vote annually for one of the two finalist applicants selected by the Grant Screening Committee. In addition, all members are welcome to participate by serving on an operating committee or volunteering through the Volunteer Bulletin Board.
4. Why does NWP give to one organization per year instead of several?
   The objective of NWP is to fund one meaningful, high-impact project each year. The intent is to enable the grant recipient to reach a larger client base, bring a new service to exiting clients, and/or strengthen the financial stability of the organization in a sustainable fashion. Our investment goes directly to a specified project with measurable outcomes.
5. Why is the gift restricted?
   NWP invests in projects that are specific, measurable and sustainable. In this way the members know exactly how their investment will be utilized.
6. How do I know how the money is spent?
   The grant recipient presents a project with specifics on NWP funds. Once they are selected each signs a contract, defining the planned expenditures for the project as well as the timing of payment from NWP. The Grant Monitoring Committee meets with the grant recipient periodically and monitors the implementation and fulfillment of the project. Monitoring continues for three years after the grant is awarded.
7. Are my membership contributions a tax deductible donation?
   Yes. NWP is a Donor Advised Fund of Nevada Community Foundation (NCF), a registered 501(c)3, therefore all contributions and donations to NWP are fully tax deductible.
8. How do you choose the grant recipient each year?
   NWP solicits grant applications annually from a broad population of Southern Nevada non-profit organizations. The NWP Grant Screening Committee reviews the applications, analyzes financial and structural documents from the agencies, visits the agency sites, and in a series of eliminations, selects two finalists for the grant. The two finalists prepare both oral and written presentations of their agencies and their proposed projects. All NWP members vote between the two finalists. The agency receiving the most votes is awarded the grant, and the other finalist receives a $30,000 unrestricted gift in recognition of its commitment to our community.
9. Why are the membership contributions set at $5,000?
   That is a significant amount. This amount was carefully considered to be significant and meaningful. By multiplying this amount by the annual number of members, NWP quickly reaches a large and impactful grant each year.
10. Do I have to pay all at once?
    No. You may set up an automated ten-month payment plan, or you may submit payments of your choice throughout the year. The first payment of $1,000 is due early in the grant cycle, and the final payment is due about one month before the voting occurs. This timing is essential to gauge the amount of our annual grant.
11. Could two of us join and split the contribution?
    NWP is a one-member, one-vote organization.
12. Could I donate $10,000 and get two votes?
    As with any giving circle or pooled giving organization, no one member has more influence than another.
13. Could a past recipient or finalist reapply?
    Yes, past recipients can reapply after sitting out for seven grant cycles. A finalist who received the Founders Grant is ineligible for one grant cycle.
14. Are there ways to get involved as a volunteer at a grant-winning organization?
    NWP grant recipients have historically welcomed NWP members with open arms, and in some cases have designed volunteer opportunities specifically for NWP members who choose to get more involved.
15. If I am an NWP member and on the board of a local charity, may that organization still apply for the grant?
    NWP members are active in the community and while the grant screening process includes some disclosure guidelines, it’s nothing that would prohibit an NWP member or an organization they are involved with from being actively involved in the process.
16. How can I get more involved in NWP?
    NWP is an all-volunteer organization that is run by its own members. You are welcome to join one or more of the committees, although participation is not required. The committees are listed on the Structure page of our website. Alternatively, some members may choose to do something more individual, like hosting an event for potential new members.
17. Is it OK if I can’t attend many NWP events?
    Yes. One of the features, and some would say benefits, of NWP is that nothing is required beyond paying the membership contribution and voting once a year. There are opportunities to get involved and that is encouraged, but many members prefer to simply donate in a leveraged, vetted, impactful way.
18. Do I have to attend meetings?
    NWP doesn’t have regular monthly or quarterly meeting for its members. However, you are encouraged to attend the annual Grant Hearing to see the finalists present their projects before you vote. NWP will also invite you to several other events throughout the year. We offer:
    Educational events at which members will learn about challenges facing our community;
    A Celebration Luncheon where current and past grant winners present;
    Friendraisers where you may come and meet potential members, or bring your friends to learn about NWP;
    The annual Grant Hearing where the two finalists will make their case for your vote.
19. How do I join?
    Contact Membership at membership@nwpsnv.org

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