Call for Social Ventures in Women’s Health
Women’s Impact Investing Giving Circle Providing Mission-Aligned Capital
Low-interest loans and recoverable grants available
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado (WFCO), in partnership with Impact Finance Center, is sharing a call for Colorado social ventures focused on improving women’s health.
The Women’s Impact Investing Giving Circle is a donor-advised fund held at The Women’s Foundation of Colorado that provides mission-aligned capital for Colorado social ventures focused on improving women’s health. The fund will offer low-interest loans and recoverable grants — with a preference for ventures founded or led primarily by women and nonbinary individuals in Colorado.
Unlike traditional grantmaking, impact investments – often in the form of low-interest loans or recoverable grants – are expected to be repaid. Access to this sort of capital can help nonprofits and social ventures manage fluctuations in cash flow from reimbursable grants, cover start-up costs for a business or program that will generate revenue in the future, or fund growth opportunities.
“Our goal is to expand access to capital for entrepreneurs who have been historically underfunded in traditional lending systems and whose work addresses economic and health disparities for women and nonbinary people,” said Louise Myrland, WFCO vice president of programs.
2025 funding focus: Women’s health
The funding focus for the Women’s Impact Investing Giving Circle in 2025 is women’s health, defined broadly to include physical, mental, emotional, and community wellbeing. WFCO is seeking ventures that strengthen women’s health and economic security.
“WFCO engages in this work because helping those who face the steepest barriers to opportunity achieve economic security builds a more prosperous Colorado for generations to come,” said Myrland. “Closing funding gaps creates economic mobility for women and their families.”
While business ownership is a powerful pathway to economic opportunity, women remain under-represented in business ownership and experience significant gaps in accessing capital. Women and nonbinary people also experience enormous gaps in health, spending more time in poor health, which can limit their ability to work and earn adequate income. And yet, only a tiny fraction of research and development funding and venture capital is dedicated to women’s health, despite investments in women’s health being projected to yield enormous returns.
Is your social venture a good fit?
If you are a social venture — such as a project, nonprofit, small business, startup, cooperative, or hybrid that is doing good in the community — and are seeking capital to grow, we invite you to apply.
In order to fulfill our charitable purpose through the Women’s Impact Investing Giving Circle, preference will be given to social ventures that:
- Are based in Colorado and primarily benefit Coloradans
- Are founded or led by one or more women or nonbinary individuals
- And meet two or more of the following:
- Address a health challenge faced by women or girls
- Promote equitable health outcomes
- Are developed in partnership with, and/or led by, the community it serves
Geographic Focus: Colorado (incorporated in CO; may operate in other markets)
Amount per investment: $15,000-$50,000
Number of Investments: Likely 2-4
Type of Investment: Debt or hybrid instruments (e.g. revenue-based financing).
Total Amount of Investment Available: Approximately $100,000
Learn more and apply by Nov. 30
Click here to complete the Phase 1 application form by Nov. 30, 11:59 pm.
If you have questions or want to learn more about the opportunity, WFCO and Impact Finance Center invite you to attend a pre-application workshop: Monday, Nov 10, 4 pm – 5 pm, Zoom meeting ID 838 4436 5562, Passcode 406343
Please contact Colleen LaFontaine and Louise Myrland with questions.
About the Women’s Impact Investing Giving Circle
When the Women’s Impact Investing Giving Circle at WFCO launched in 2019, it was the first of its kind at a community foundation. The fund has invested $280,000 in seven social ventures and inspired similar collective investing groups across the country.
