Junior League of Westchester on the Sound

2026 Community Grant Program

March 2, 2026

The Junior League of Westchester on the Sound (JLWOS) is an educational and charitable organization of women with a mission to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. JLWOS’ volunteer and outreach activities are funded by the sales of its thrift shop, the Golden Shoestring, located in Larchmont.

JLWOS is proud and grateful to be able to support its mission through its annual Community Grants program. This program is open to nonprofit community organizations in New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye Brook, Rye Neck, Rye, Harrison and Port Chester that are addressing the needs of women and children in this community. Community Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000. JLWOS has planned ~$75,000 in Community Grant funding for 2026.

Selection Criteria:

Grant recipients are expected to be selected based on the alignment of their applications with the following general criteria:

• Close connection to the JLWOS mission, as cited above, and the particular purpose of the grant program, supporting the needs of women, children, and families in the Sound Shore area
• High impact potential and likelihood of success of the program in the community (e.g., meeting a critical unmet need, responding to the most significant challenges in the community, proposing to achieve significant depth and/ or breadth of impact, proposing a credible plan to achieve impact potential, etc.)
• High impact potential of the JLWOS funding (e.g., catalyzing a new program, filling a critical funding gap, attracting other funders, etc.); in the case of the Transformational Project Grant, proposals will be expected to play a particularly meaningful (transformative) role for an applying organization and the community
• High potential for JLWOS volunteer support (e.g., opportunities for JLWOS members to contribute to the applicant’s success via hands-on volunteer work)

 Expectations for Grant Recipients:

JLWOS strives to foster collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships with its grantees. Instead of requiring written reports from grant recipients, JLWOS prefers to maintain open lines of communication with grantees by holding periodic calls, conducting onsite visits to grantee headquarters, engaging in grantee operations as volunteers where appropriate, and amplifying grantee work to JLWOS audiences.

 Important Dates:

• Community Grant applications must be received by March 31, 2026. Unfortunately, applications which are incomplete or not received in a timely manner will not be considered.
• Community Grant winners will be selected and applicants notified in May 2026.

Grant Application:  Please click the following link to download the 2026 JLWOS Grant application.

If you have any questions regarding the application or the Grant process, please feel free to e-mail the Grants and Scholarship Committee at grantsandscholarships@jlwos.org

FAQs

What is a Community Grant?

The Community Grants program is open to nonprofit organizations in New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye Brook, Rye Neck, Rye, Harrison and Port Chester that are addressing the needs of women and families in their communities. Grant amounts typically range from $1,000 to $10,000. The process does not require a letter of intent or a signed grant agreement. Organizations interested in applying must complete an application form online in March and submit to JLWOS for consideration.

What is a Grant Agreement?

A Grant Agreement is the formal legal document that specifies the various terms of the grant, such as: project details, reporting requirements and payment schedule.  These terms are necessary so we can be sure the grant funds are spent in a responsible manner, consistent with the project that was awarded the grant.

What does the Community Grant application process involve?

Applicants for the Community Grants should submit a grant application by email in March 2026.

May I send additional materials with the Grant Application, like one of our brochures or newsletters or a letter of reference? 

Yes; please feel free to add any attachments that would be relevant, but it is not required.

Who can we contact to discuss our Grant Application after it is submitted? 

Contact grantsandscholarships@jlwos.org with any questions regarding the grant process.

JLWOS is committed to a fair, unbiased process. We do not accept any unsolicited communication related to topics other than questions about the guidelines, process, or forms.  Applicants should not contact the board or any other members unless we request additional information.  Applicants must not make any attempt to lobby for their proposal.  Any attempt to unfairly influence the process is grounds for elimination from consideration.