Grants available for nonprofits that help women

The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) is now accepting applications for its 2005 Women’s Legacy Fund (WLF) Grants Program. Through this program $85,000 in grant money is available to nonprofit organizations and public agencies working to provide education, training and economic opportunities for women in Ventura County.

Eligible programs are those that provide the resources necessary for women and high school-age girls to succeed economically, such as job skills training, education, housing, childcare and transportation assistance. Programs providing education and training for women wishing to enter physical and/or mental health-related fields are particularly encouraged to apply.

Grant applications are available on the VCCF website at www.vccf.org/fundingcycles.html. Proposals must be received at the VCCF offices, 1317 Del Norte Road, Ste. 150, Camarillo, by 5 p.m. Fri., May 13. Founded in 1995, the WLF is the only permanent endowment fund specifically designed to address the needs of women and girls in Ventura County, and recently crossed $1 million in assets. Since its inception the WLF has granted over $400,000 to more than 60 locally based programs that provide opportunities for economic, educational, physical, emotional, social, artistic and personal growth.

Last year, $72,000 was awarded to eight local nonprofit organizations.