Lumena Foundation Grants: How Women-Focused Nonprofits Can Introduce Their Work

THE INFLUENCE · OPPORTUNITIES · November 13, 2026 EDITION

Lumena Foundation offers an introductory route for women-focused U.S. nonprofits, while full grant applications are invitation-only. The distinction matters: sending an introduction puts your work before the foundation; it does not reserve funding or guarantee a response.

Eligibility and funding terms

• 501(c)(3) status, U.S. headquarters and U.S. constituents.
• Women-focused work in health, education, economic empowerment, personal safety or legal rights.
• Moon: unrestricted funding up to $50,000 annually for a one-year period.
• Sun: unrestricted funding starting at $25,000 annually, described as multi-year.
• Invited applications are rolling; no fixed deadline or closing timezone is stated. No application fee is listed.

The funds comparison says Sun support is “up to” three years; the inquiry FAQ says “at least” three. Confirm duration directly before relying on it. The foundation does not promise to answer every introduction. Its 60-day response guidance applies to invited full applications.

Official inquiry form and eligibility FAQ · Official Moon and Sun comparison

How to build a useful introduction

WWI preparation advice: Start with the women and girls your organization serves. Explain the barrier they face, the work you deliver and what changes because of it. A reader should understand the connection to one of Lumena’s focus areas without having to decode a long program list.

For example, a nonprofit offering financial education could explain the population served, how participants use the training and how it tracks progress. A workshop count describes activity; a documented change in financial skills or access describes an outcome. Use actual evidence and identify early results as early results.

1. Gather your EIN, website, location and mission.
2. Choose the program most clearly aligned with women’s self-determination.
3. Write a short explanation of the need, delivery model and evidence.
4. Describe what support would enable without assuming the maximum award.
5. Save your submission and keep a record of any reply.

WWI perspective: flexibility deserves a plan

Unrestricted funding can give a nonprofit room to pay for the operating work behind its services. That makes a clear internal spending plan more valuable, even when a grant is flexible. Identify which costs keep your work dependable, which investment would improve delivery and what the organization could sustain after the grant ends.

Women entrepreneurs running for-profit businesses should not treat this as a business grant. Women-focused nonprofit leaders should first check mission fit, then use the official introduction route. Keep other fundraising activity moving while you wait; an inquiry is a possibility, not confirmed revenue.

Program information checked November 9, 2026. Official sources are linked above. WWI preparation advice and perspective are editorial analysis, not additional funder requirements. Provider terms control; no award is guaranteed.