Teen Philanthropists Open Grant for Marginalized Communities in Arizona
After-school program for teens will award $5,000 to a local non-profit focusing on sex education
Unidas, an award-winning after-school program has announced a request for proposals for a $5,000 grant to benefit nonprofits focusing on sex education, with an emphasis on queer-affirming/inclusive, comprehensive sex education.
Unidas is a longstanding program of the Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona (WFSA), a 30-year old nonprofit which fosters equality and opportunity through support, advocacy, and research to help all women and other marginalized identities overcome political, gender, and social barriers.
A feminization of the Spanish word unidos (united), Unidas teaches young women and gender expansive individuals about leadership, philanthropy, and social justice issues through experience with grantmaking in their own community. Participating teens grant $5,000 each semester to non-profit organizations that works to improve the quality of life for women and girls in Arizona.
This semester, the teen participants have researched and analyzed the social justice issues facing women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals in their community. Applications will be considered from programs serving communities in Arizona and who operate with a sex-positive orientation.
Unidas participant and Tucson, AZ local, Charlese Collins, shared about the collective decision to support a sex education partner with this grant. “We chose comprehensive sex education because in Arizona, many topics regarding sex are not discussed and parents often opt their minor out — leading to ignorance about this. Aiding independent organizations that allow the minor to reach out and learn helps combat this ignorance on reproductive health.”
The participants will conduct application reviews and site visits, and ultimately select one organization to receive a grant of $5,000. The most recent Unidas grant recipients were Mariposas Sin Fronteras, Equality Arizona, and Southern Arizona Gender Alliance as the previous grant focus was on uplifting organizations that support transgender and LGBTQIA+ communities.
In 2023, Unidas will be facilitating several cohorts across Arizona. This includes a statewide, virtual cohort that will be accessible to participants statewide while WFSA continues supporting nonprofit organizations filling the need for women and girls of all identities.
Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to visit womengiving.org/grants. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time. This grant is generously sponsored by Buffalo Exchange.
