2025-2026 Grant Timeline

Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) must be submitted to WIN by 11:59 p.m. on February 5, 2026.

Starting February 10, the LOI review process opens. Members who choose to serve on the LOI Subcommittee will review all submitted Letters of Inquiry through their member login on the WIN website. During this period, subcommittee members will read each LOI and rank their top two applicants. The review window runs from February 10 through March 10.

By March 6, members submit their top 16 project choices ahead of the upcoming debrief meeting. These selections help guide discussions and decisions during the next phase of the grants cycle.

On March 10, the Grants Subcommittee will meet to discuss individual reviews of applicants. While all Grants Committee members are welcome to attend, subcommittee members will have reviewed all LOIs prior to the meeting. Following this discussion, the subcommittee will invite 12 to 16 organizations to submit full proposals.

On March 11, WIN will notify organizations that have been selected to move forward in the grants process, as well as those that have been eliminated.

All invited proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on April 10. This marks the final deadline for organizations selected to advance in the grants process.

Starting April 14, the Grants Committee begins reviewing full proposals submitted by selected organizations. Members can access all proposals through their WIN website login. The review period runs from April 14 through May 6.

WIN members are invited to join us for an informal, optional meeting designed for members who would like additional conversation about the proposed projects. This is not a voting session, but rather an opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and explore ideas before the official vote. A time and Zoom link will be shared in the spring.

The Grants Committee will meet to select proposals advancing to site visits, including four university projects and four nonprofit projects. Members must submit the survey ranking projects prior to the meeting.

Grant seekers are notified of their status, and scheduling for June site visits begins.

The Grants Committee meets to select proposals for the final ballot. Two university projects and two nonprofit projects will be chosen to advance.

Organizations are notified of their status following the Grants Committee’s ballot selection.

Online voting opens for WIN members of record as of June 30. Members will cast their votes to determine final funding decisions.

Online voting for WIN members closes at 11:59 p.m. on August 11. This marks the final opportunity for members to cast their votes and help determine funding decisions.

Grant seekers will be notified of their application status, and grant recipients will receive a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) along with details about the public announcement and fund transfer arrangements.

The date for the WIN Grant Awards Celebration will be announced at a later time and is planned for fall 2026.