Grant for Personal Development
The Grant Review is in-progress. Check back in soon for announcements.
Email grants@gfscalifornia with any questions!
Welcome!
The Girls’ Friendly Society in the Diocese of Los Angeles (GFS-LA) invites Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Los Angeles to begin the grant application process by submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) along with a Letter of Support (LOS) to apply for funding for a program that supports the personal development of girls in the neighboring community.
Photo: 2025 Grant Recipient Program, Jóvenes Juntas Dance & Movement Class, at Church of the Messiah, Santa Ana
Background and Evolution of GFS
The GFS-LA program has evolved over the past 115 years to respond to the needs of girls. GFS-LA is part of the national organization which was founded in the textile factory town of Lowell, MA, to provide social support for girls and young women working in the textile mills at the beginning of the Industrial Age. In Los Angeles in 1906, GFS-LA was initially founded at the Neighborhood Settlement. The GFS program at the Neighborhood Settlement (which eventually spawned the Neighborhood Youth Association-NYA) provided a social outlet for local girls in a shifting population in early downtown Los Angeles.
In 1914, Bishop Johnson encouraged churches to embrace GFS, the “great international society” in order to work to assist lonely and, in many instances, homeless wage-earning girls. The outcome of this movement was the establishment of the GFS Lodge at 1422 West Third Street, Los Angeles, to provide “a comfortable, homelike place providing a kindly, friendly, Christian atmosphere” for working women. In keeping with the principles of GFS, the lodge was open to all girls irrespective of church affiliation.
In 1945, after WWII, projects such as the GFS Lodge, YWCA and other similar homes no longer appealed to young women. The Lodge was sold and a new program was adopted for girls between the ages of six and twelve with a special emphasis upon the church and its teaching, thereby building better informed and more loyal church women. This new program was headed by Mrs. Stephens, wife of Los Angeles Bishop Bertrand Stephens. This program has continued since that time, operating in almost every church in the Diocese of Los Angeles at one time or another.
Responding again to changes in society, GFS-LA is offering this grant to enable churches to respond directly to the needs of girls in its neighborhoods. Southern California is a diverse community. The needs of girls to thrive in the 21st century are myriad.
GFS-LA plans to continue to support current and future church-based, traditional GFS branches which cater to church members, but to also widen its impact by encouraging churches to open new and different programs for all girls, irrespective of any church membership, which support one goal: to create a community for girls and/or young women (through high school graduation) to find friendships, develop relationships, and support each other.
Detailed Grant Purpose and Eligibility Requirements
Please read the Grant Document to learn the Program Goal, the requirements of the Letter of Intent and Letter of Support and the specifics which will be required in a Full Grant Application. Información sobre la Subvención e Instrucciones de Aplicación en Espanol.
Grant Application Timeline
February 27, 2026 – Letter of Intent (LOI) accompanied by Rector’s Letter of Support (LOS) emailed to grants@gfscalifornia.org
February 27- March 12, 2026 – Review of LOIs by GFS Grant Committee to determine which applicants will be invited to submit a Full Grant Application
March 27, 2026 – Deadline for Full Grant Application (FGA)
March 27 ~ May 15, 2026 – Review of FGAs, meeting with applicants, negotiation of final terms
May 16, 2026 – Announcement of Final Grant Recipient(s)
September 2026 – Launch of the selected programs(s)!
“Grant Writing 101” by Missy Morain, Diocesan Missioner for Christian Formation, Children, Youth
Grantee Support
Please read through these Frequently Asked Questions.
You may also contact us at grants@gfscalifornia.org We are happy to explain the grant more fully and brainstorm over ideas on Zoom.
To make a donation to the GFS Outreach Grant for Girls:
Frequently Asked Questions
What age group can be served?
Can the program be completely remote?
How many participants should the program serve?
The program should serve a workable core number of participants. With a grant goal being the development of relationships, ideal programs will encourage girls to participate throughout the entire two years of the planned programming.
Who can apply?
The applicant must be an Episcopal church (parish or mission) in the Diocese of Los Angeles.* The applicant must have adequate insurance and policies and procedures (Safe Church Training, fingerprinting, etc.) in place to provide the protections required by the Diocese of Los Angeles. The Program Leader must be associated with, or enjoy the recommendation of, a church within the Los Angeles Diocese of the Episcopal Church. The church vouches for and takes responsibility for the Program Leader, including background checks and Safe Church Training for all leaders.
*The applicant Episcopal church can collaborate with a community organization for the grant program
What can the funds be used for?
- New programs which meet the Primary Goal
- Program Leader and staff compensation
- Curriculum, materials, supplies
What cannot be funded?
- GFS Grant funds cannot be used to pay general parish costs (rent, utilities, etc.).
- Current Sunday School programs or any other existing program
- Compensation already in place for existing positions or roles of church staff, part-time staff or any other church employees or consultants
- Programs that lack a component to nurture spiritual and ethical growth, compassion and responsibility
- Programs that cannot be accomplished within the two-year Grant Activity Period
- Programs with less than a workable core number of participants
Can grant funds be used to fund a traditional GFS program?
No. GFS provides programs on its website which are geared for Episcopal girls and those who are at ease with faith-focused programs. This grant is intended to encourage new and different programs which will help girls’ personal development in an innovative way.
Can an existing GFS branch apply for this grant?
If an existing GFS branch is in need of financial support, the branch should apply directly to the board of GFS-LA. New programs distinct from existing traditional branch activity may be considered. Please have the Branch Leader reach out to the GFS Grant Committee to discuss.
How do I begin the application process?
- Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), maximum of 2 pages, signed by a vestry/bishop’s committee member, by the stated deadline. The LOI must include:
- A description of the personal development program, including planned activities and curriculum (if any) to be used
- An explanation of how the program will meet the Program Goal listed above
- The age group to be served, within the range from kindergarten through high school graduation
- An explanation of how the program enriches and impacts the group to be served.
- A description of the Program Leader’s role and the name of the prospective Program Leader, if available, along with a description of the Program Leader’s experience with youth
- A description of other staffing (paid, volunteer, quantity, skills)
- A description of the site and space for the program (at the church, off-site, classroom, outdoor space, etc.)
- An overview budget
- Provide a Letter of Support (LOS) from the rector/vicar of the church, outlining the need for the program, the resources the church can provide, and the desired impact of the program.
- Provide contact information of applicant and rector/vicar
How do I submit the LOI and LOS?
Email all documents in PDF form to Grants@gfscalifornia.org
What will be requested in the full grant application?
● A detailed two-year plan (monthly or quarterly) of the program including activities and curriculum (if any) to be used
● A detailed explanation of how the program meets the Program Goal
● A description of the spiritual component of the overall program and at each meeting
● The Program Leader’s name and resume and that person’s relationship to the church
● An explanation of how the program will provide a safe, healthy, and appropriate environment for girls and comply with Diocesan Safe Church Policies and Insurance Requirements
• An explanation regarding the choice of the age group to be served, within the range from kindergarten through high school graduation
● The program should include regularly scheduled in-person meetings and a description of the length and style of the program meetings
● Description of location and space for the program
● The amount of financial resources the church will provide for the program
● Proposed schedule and milestones for funding
● A description of how the program will be funded to become a self-sustaining program after the end of the Grant Period
Does the church also provide resources and/or financial support?
It is expected that the applicant church will provide resources according to its ability. Reach out to discuss what that could look like for your parish.