Soroptimist International Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £134,799 (2024 expenditure)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified (based on call cycle)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified (project-based funding)
• Geographic Focus: International (80+ countries)
• Registered Charity Number: 1194895

Contact Details

Website: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/

Email: hq@soroptimistinternational.org

Phone: Not available

Address: Suite 1, 28 St Thomas Place, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4EX

For project proposals or inquiries, contact: Chair Soroptimist International Foundation via hq@soroptimistinternational.org

Overview

The Soroptimist International Foundation was established in March 2021 as a charitable trust and gained registered charity status in June 2021 (charity number 1194895). The Foundation was created to enable Soroptimist International to more accurately account for its project work, leverage its charitable status, and enhance its ability to apply for grants and funding. The Foundation makes grants to providers that educate, empower, and enable women and girls worldwide, operating in over 80 countries. With 205 volunteers supporting its work, the Foundation maintains an efficient operational model where 92.5% of donations go directly to projects and only 7.5% to administrative costs. In its 2024 financial year, the Foundation had an income of £70,143 and expenditure of £134,799, funding multiple international projects focused on education, poverty relief, and human rights advancement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Soroptimist International Foundation provides project-based funding through a competitive call process. The Foundation issues periodic calls for projects in its three focus areas, with applications accepted from both Soroptimist member organizations (clubs, regions, national associations, countries, and federations) and external providers.

Application Method: Call-based system (the Foundation issues periodic “Calls” for project proposals; once submitted, applicants receive a formal application form to complete)

Priority Areas

For the next five years (2024-2029), the Foundation will fund projects focusing on three core objectives:

1. The advancement of education
2. The relief and/or prevention of poverty
3. The advancement of human rights, peace, equality and diversity

Specific areas of interest include:

• Addressing domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence
• Poverty and homelessness
• Access to education and healthcare
• Digital literacy and skills training
• Environmental leadership for women and girls
• Vocational training and economic empowerment

Recent funded projects include:

• Digital literacy training in the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent, and the Grenadines)
• Education and empowerment programs for women and girls in Cambodia (engaging 2,814+ participants)
• Vocational training in Uganda (tailoring, computer literacy, and baking)
• Sports centre construction in Paraguay's Mbaracayú natural forest reserve
• Environmental leadership training in Kenya

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but projects must align with the Foundation's mission to educate, empower, and enable women and girls. Projects benefiting other demographics or purposes outside the three core objectives would not be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

The Soroptimist International Foundation has a unique governance structure. The trustee is SI (Soroptimist International) Limited, with the Soroptimist International Board exercising the trustee function on behalf of the Foundation.

SI Board of Directors (2024-2025):

• Siew Yong Gnanalingam - SI President
• Renata Trottmann Probst - SI President Elect
• Leigh Ellwood Brown - Director of Advocacy and Chair of Global Impact and Policy Committees
• Wendy Logan - SI Treasurer
• Barbara Kohl - Chair of SI Finance Committee
• Anthea Penny - Chair of Governance Committee
• Cathy Cottridge - Chair of Global Communications Committee and SI Foundation Committee
• Gillie O'Rourke - Representing Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland
• Anne Gover - Procedural Consultant
• Deborah Thomas - Global Executive Director

The SI Foundation Committee, chaired by Cathy Cottridge, is responsible for scoring applications against project criteria and the Soroptimist International Due Diligence Policy, then making recommendations to the SI Board for final approval.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Soroptimist International Foundation operates through a call-based application system rather than rolling applications:

1. Wait for the Call: The Foundation periodically issues a “Call” for projects in its three focus areas. Calls are announced through Soroptimist International channels.

1. Submit Initial Project Proposal: When a call is active, interested organizations submit a project proposal to Soroptimist International HQ.

1. Receive Application Form: Once a project is submitted, Soroptimist International will issue an appropriate application form to be completed and returned to HQ.

• Project criteria aligned with the Foundation's three objectives
• The Soroptimist International Due Diligence Policy (the same policy used for the SI President's Appeal projects)

1. Board Decision: The Committee makes a recommendation to the Soroptimist International Board, which makes the final decision.

Who Can Apply:

• Soroptimist clubs, regions, national associations, countries, and federations
• External organizations and providers working to educate, empower, and enable women and girls

Contact for Applications: Email project proposals or inquiries to hq@soroptimistinternational.org, attention: Chair Soroptimist International Foundation

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. The timeline depends on the call cycle and when applications are submitted relative to board meeting schedules. Interested applicants should inquire about current timelines when a call is active.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation's policy on reapplications is not publicly documented. Applicants should contact the Foundation directly to inquire about reapplication opportunities if their initial proposal is unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented approach, successful applications should demonstrate:

Alignment with Core Objectives: Projects must clearly align with at least one of the three core objectives (education advancement, poverty relief/prevention, or human rights/peace/equality/diversity). The Foundation states: “As long as they align with our Mission they will be considered.”

Due Diligence Requirements: Applications are scored against the Soroptimist International Due Diligence Policy. While the specific criteria are not publicly detailed, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate:

• Organizational credibility and capacity
• Clear project outcomes and impact metrics
• Financial accountability
• Alignment with the Foundation's focus on women and girls

Geographic Reach and Impact: The Foundation operates internationally across 80+ countries and funds both local community-level projects and larger regional initiatives. Recent projects range from single-community interventions (23 participants in Uganda vocational training) to multi-community programs (2,814 participants in Cambodia).

Project Types: Recent successful projects include:

• Digital literacy workshops and training programs
• Vocational skills training (tailoring, baking, computer literacy)
• Educational access programs for out-of-school girls
• Infrastructure development (sports centres)
• Environmental leadership training

Sustainability and Participant Engagement: Successful projects demonstrate clear pathways for participants to become trainers or leaders themselves, as evidenced by the Caribbean digital literacy project where “participants transitioned into trainers.”

Partnership Approach: The Foundation often works in partnership with established local organizations (e.g., Cambodia Community Dream Organisation, Rose Academies Uganda, Restore a Sense of I Can, Fundación Moisés Bertoni), suggesting that established organizational credibility and local presence are valued.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Watch for Calls: This is not a rolling application process. Monitor Soroptimist International communications for periodic calls for projects, or contact hq@soroptimistinternational.org to inquire about upcoming opportunities.

• Emphasize Women and Girls Impact: All projects must directly educate, empower, or enable women and girls. Clear demonstration of gender-specific impact is essential.

• Align with Three Core Objectives: Ensure your project clearly fits within education advancement, poverty relief/prevention, or human rights/peace/equality/diversity.

• Efficient Funding Model: With 92.5% of donations going directly to projects, the Foundation prioritizes efficient use of funds. Demonstrate how your project maximizes impact relative to investment.

• International Perspective: The Foundation funds projects globally across 80+ countries. Projects in developing regions with demonstrated need may be particularly well-suited.

• Due Diligence Preparation: Be prepared for thorough vetting similar to the SI President's Appeal process. Have documentation ready regarding organizational governance, financial accountability, and impact measurement.

• Consider Partnership Opportunities: If you're a Soroptimist club or member organization, you may have an advantage in proposing or partnering on projects. External organizations should clearly articulate their expertise and track record in serving women and girls.

References

• Soroptimist International Foundation webpage: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/soroptimist-international-foundation/
• Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5178499/full-print
• Soroptimist International Foundation FAQs: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/si-foundation-old/frequently-asked-questions/
• Soroptimist International Foundation announcements and project updates: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/
• Soroptimist International About Us/Our People: https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/about-us/our-people/
• Various project announcement pages including Cambodia Community Dream Organisation, Restore a Sense of I Can, Rose Academies Uganda, and Fundación Moisés Bertoni updates