Open
Source verified July 6, 2026
Issues Affecting Women Programme
Supports organizations in advancing women's rights and justice through long-term strategic initiatives.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Women-led or women-focused organizations committed to gender justice.
See full eligibility
Overview
This programme supports organisations working to advance women’s rights and address violence against women worldwide. It funds initiatives that strengthen women’s movements, support survivors, and improve access to justice, services, and prevention.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Women & girls
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (<50% earned)
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Strengthening connections within the movement ecosystem.
- Supporting empowering leaders, positive narratives, outreach, organising, and mobilisation.
- Building conditions to prevent crises, build resilience, and sustain peace.
- Increasing access to services and justice for women who have experienced trafficking and exploitation.
- Supporting safe and informed migration.
Documents Needed
Organization registration documents, project proposal, supporting materials such as budgets and timelines.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Women-led or women-focused organizations committed to gender justice.
- Non-profit organizations working on women's rights issues.
- Advocacy and community mobilization groups involved in violence prevention.
Who is not eligible
- For-profit companies not dedicated to social issues related to women's rights.
- Organizations outside the specified geographical regions unless explicitly eligible.
- Entities with unresolved legal or financial issues or insolvency.
Eligible expenses
Costs related to program activities supporting women's rights, organizational capacity building, and advocacy efforts.Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities not aligned with program goals such as unrelated community projects.
- Expenses for activities that do not support women's rights or address violence against women.
- Operational costs unrelated to program delivery.
- Activities outside the focus regions unless specified in particular calls for proposals.
Eligible geographic areas
Global, with a focus on regions mentioned in the funding region description.Selection criteria
- Strategic relevance and potential impact of the project (40%).
- Organizational capacity and past experience (30%).
- Innovation and sustainability of proposed activities (20%).
- Alignment with program objectives and regional priorities (10%).
How to apply
Submit an initial letter of inquiry describing your organization's work and project ideas.Await invitation to submit a full application if there is alignment with program priorities.Prepare and submit a detailed project proposal including objectives, activities, and supporting documents.Complete and send application through the designated submission platform or address provided by the program.Participate in any follow-up discussions or interviews as required during the review process.
Processing and Agreement
- Application review is conducted on a rolling basis with decisions made by the Board of Trustees.
- Decisions can take from two months to over a year after the concept note submission.
- Applicants will be notified of the outcome and may be asked for additional information or clarifications.
- Funding agreements will be finalized upon approval, outlining conditions for disbursement and project monitoring.
Additional information
The application process is invitation-only, but organizations can submit a letter of inquiry to express interest in alignment with the program's strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Issues Affecting Women Programme Program
What is the Issues Affecting Women Programme?
This programme supports organisations working to advance women’s rights and address violence against women worldwide. It funds initiatives that strengthen women’s movements, support survivors, and improve access to justice, services, and prevention.
Who is eligible for the Issues Affecting Women Programme program?
To be eligible for the Issues Affecting Women Programme program, you must:
Organisations and movements are eligible.
Women’s funds in underserved geographies are eligible.
Efforts for women and girls in conflict, emergency, and crisis situations are eligible.
What expenses are eligible under Issues Affecting Women Programme?
Strengthening connections within the movement ecosystem.
Supporting empowering leaders, positive narratives, outreach, organising, and mobilisation.
Building conditions to prevent crises, build resilience, and sustain peace.
Increasing access to services and justice for women who have experienced trafficking and exploitation.
Supporting safe and informed migration.
Where is the Issues Affecting Women Programme available?
The Issues Affecting Women Programme program is available across Canada.
Is the Issues Affecting Women Programme a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Issues Affecting Women Programme is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Issues Affecting Women Programme?
Issues Affecting Women Programme is funded by Oak Foundation