The Asian Women Giving Circle (AWGC) is a pioneering force dedicated to empowering Asian American women and gender-expansive individuals in New York City. By harnessing the transformative power of arts and culture, AWGC supports projects that drive social change and elevate underrepresented voices.
What Is the Asian Women Giving Circle?
Established as the first and largest giving circle in the nation led by Asian American women, AWGC believes that culture is an essential part of any strategy for social change. The organization pools resources to fund projects that:
- Raise awareness and catalyze action around critical issues affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women, girls, gender-expansive individuals, and families.
- Shine an authentic spotlight on the experiences and stories of these communities.
Since its inception in 2006, AWGC has distributed over $1 million in grants to more than 100 New York City-based arts and culture projects.
What Does the Asian Women Giving Circle Fund?
AWGC seeks projects that:
- Are led by AAPI women and gender-expansive people and/or have AAPI women, girls, and gender-expansive people in central roles in the project’s conceptual framework, design, and implementation.
- Harness the arts and social change in an integrated way.
- Make a clear case for social justice change, defining and measuring impact based on the applicants’ own criteria.
- Raise awareness and/or intervene around critical issues such as human rights, bias, injustice, gender-based violence, and immigrant rights.
- Demonstrate a deep commitment to NYC-based communities. (While grants are typically for NYC-based projects, AWGC has funded exceptional projects outside this scope.)
- Show a strong plan for using funds effectively and for completing the project.
- Demonstrate exceptional creativity, whether artistically or through social intervention.
What Does AWGC Not Fund?
AWGC does not provide funding for:
- Capital or endowment campaigns
- Equipment purchases
- Financial crisis support
- Purely personal works of artistic expression with little or no social justice impact
- Documentation of cultural events without a broader social justice focus
- Projects without a clear social change analysis or focus
- Student productions or projects associated with a degree program for academic credit
Who Qualifies for the AWGC Grants?
To be eligible for an AWGC grant, applicants must:
- Identify as an Asian American woman or gender-expansive individual and serve the AAPI community in New York City.
- Lead a project that utilizes arts and culture to address issues impacting AAPI women, girls, gender-expansive individuals, and families.
- Ensure the project is based in New York City and serves the local community.
AWGC encourages applications from both individual artists and community organizations committed to social change through creative expression.
Do I Need to Be Based in New York to Apply?
Yes, at least one project lead must be based in New York.
Can I Apply as an Individual Artist?
Yes! AWGC encourages individual artists and artist-led projects to apply. However, artists must have a fiscal sponsor to qualify.
A fiscal sponsor allows individual artists and emerging arts organizations to raise funds using a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, which is often required by nonprofit funders. AWGC itself has a fiscal sponsor, The Ms. Foundation.
Some organizations that offer fiscal sponsorship include:
- The New York Foundation for the Arts
- Fractured Atlas
How Large Are AWGC Grants?
Each grant is $8,000, and AWGC anticipates awarding 8-10 grants total, depending on the amount raised for the annual funding cycle.
What Can I Expect in the Application?
Applicants will need to submit:
- A short project description (50-75 words)
- A long project description (max 300 words)
- A vision for social impact (max 300 words)
- A description of community access and participation (max 300 words)
- Project activities and timeline
- Project budget and organizational budget
- Short bios or CVs of core partners
- A 501(c)(3) letter from their organization or fiscal sponsor
Does AWGC Accept Work Samples?
Yes! Work samples are optional but encouraged. They should represent either the proposed project or the applicant’s artistic approach and style. Only online submissions are accepted.
- Digital Images: Up to six images
- Video/Audio: Up to five minutes total
- Written Sample: No more than 10-12 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font
When Are Grant Decisions Announced?
Grant announcements are made in late June each year.
How Are Grantees Selected?
- Applications are reviewed by AWGC members, who select a shortlist of finalists.
- The broader donor community votes via online ballot to determine final grant recipients.
- Fairness rule: If an applicant has donated in the year they are applying for a grant, they cannot vote on the online ballot.
Why Apply for the AWGC Grant?
Receiving an AWGC grant offers numerous benefits, including:
- Financial Support: Access to funding to bring your artistic vision to life.
- Community Engagement: Opportunities to connect with like-minded artists and activists committed to social justice.
- Visibility and Recognition: Increased exposure for your work within the AAPI community and beyond.
- Impactful Change: The chance to contribute to meaningful social change through art and culture.
How to Apply
To apply for an AWGC grant:
- Review the 2025 RFP: Understand the grant guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application requirements.
- Prepare Your Proposal: Develop a comprehensive proposal that outlines your project’s objectives, impact, and alignment with AWGC’s mission.
- Submit Your Application: Follow the submission guidelines provided in the RFP to ensure your application is considered.
The Asian Women Giving Circle is committed to fostering a society where AAPI women and gender-expansive individuals can leverage the arts to inspire change. By supporting projects that amplify these voices, AWGC plays a crucial role in promoting equity and justice. If you are an artist or community leader passionate about using art for social transformation, consider applying for an AWGC grant to make a lasting impact.