Grants for Women of Domestic Violence

Grants for Women of Domestic Violence
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Domestic violence is a serious social problem that can affect women as well as men. Women who survive domestic violence, especially those with children, may have a significant burden to bear as they try to rebuild their lives. Some women have suffered disfiguring injuries; others may need to return to school to regain independence. Fortunately, several grant and scholarship programs exist for women who have escaped domestic violence.

The Allstate Foundation

The Allstate Foundation offers the Economics against Abuse grant program geared specifically toward women who survived domestic violence. Individual survivors can apply for grants, and organizations that help these women are also eligible for grant consideration. Funds must be used for creating a survivor’s financial independence, such as participation in job training programs.

The Allstate Foundation allstate.com/foundation.aspx

The R.O.S.E. Fund

The R.O.S.E. Fund, short for “Regaining One’s Self-Esteem,” features several grant programs for women who escaped domestic violence. Since 1992, the foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grant funding. Women requiring reconstructive surgery due to a battering relationship and those planning to return to college or pursue work-related training may apply for a grant. Eighty percent of those awarded grants are single mothers.

The surgical procedures approved range from extensive facial reconstruction plastic surgery to dental work for broken or chipped teeth directly resulting from domestic violence. The general scholarship program is geared toward completing a college degree and is a renewable award of $2,000 per semester, as of 2010.

The organization also offers school grants for selected women attending New England colleges such as the University of Massachusetts at Boston or Pine Manor College. The R.O.S.E. Fund also considers requests for continuing education grants, which are usually awards of $200 to $1,000. A woman doesn’t have to pursue a degree to gain this scholarship, which is to help pay for classes and training that can better her ability to keep gainful employment.

The R.O.S.E. Fund rosefund.org

Arellano Scholarship for Survivor of Domestic Violence

Arellano Scholarship for Survivor of Domestic Violence is a grant program for women who plan to pursue a four-year degree at Arizona State University. The application must include a verifying letter from a counselor or clergy member that can substantiate past domestic violence in the woman’s life. Additional requirements include a 3.0 G.P.A. The amount of grant funds offered varies each year, as well as the number of scholarships awarded.

Arellano Scholarship for Survivor of Domestic Violence asu.edu

Harry & Anna Lister Memorial Scholarship for Victims of Domestic Violence

Harry & Anna Lister Memorial Scholarship for Victims of Domestic Violence allows women who survived domestic violence--or their children--to receive grant funds to attend Sul Ross State University in Texas. Two recommendation letters are required. The funds awarded and the number of scholarships provided vary each year.

Harry & Anna Lister Memorial Scholarship for Victims of Domestic Violence sulross.edu

SAFE-Survivors Achieving Formal Education Scholarship

SAFE-Survivors Achieving Formal Education Scholarship is available for women domestic violence survivors who live in selected Michigan counties. The grant funds are usable at Ferris State University in Michigan. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and attain at least a 2.0 G.P.A.

SAFE-Survivors Achieving Formal Education Scholarship ferris.edu

U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women

The U.S. Department of Justice features a dozen grant programs for individuals and organizations through its Office on Violence Against Women. Grants available for women who survived domestic violence are usually restricted to especially vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and/or disabled.

U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women www.ovw.usdoj.gov/ovwgrantprograms.htm