Grants

At the heart of the Society of 1918 is a mission to empower and elevate the philanthropy of William & Mary women. Through our grants program, we seek to ignite innovation, foster leadership, and create meaningful change by providing vital funding to projects that align with our values and vision for a brighter future.

The Society of 1918 Grant Program is designed to support initiatives that reflect the spirit of service and leadership that defines W&M’s women alumnae. Each grant carries with it the potential to make a lasting impact, whether it be on campus, within local communities or in broader societal endeavors.

Through these grants, the Society of 1918 seeks to not only give financial support to projects, but to amplify the voices and efforts of W&M that empower women. We envision these projects as catalysts for progress, as opportunities to showcase the power of philanthropy and leadership. Through our grant recipients, we see the spirit of the Alumnae Initiatives Endowment brought to life, making tangible differences in the world.

Together, we are building a legacy — one project, one idea, one act of generosity at a time.

Testimonials

Isabelle Danforth, Fall ‘23 awardee 
"Ultimately, this experience has been incredibly beneficial and has helped to solidify my goals and identify the qualifications required for them."

Jill Bieri M.A. ‘92, Fall ‘23 mentor 
"I was thrilled that VIMS was investing in such a great idea- I have always thought how great it would have been to have more women mentors and opportunities to understand different sectors of our field (other than research) when I was a graduate student thinking about career options."

Madison Griffin,  Fall ‘23 awardee 
"This is my main takeaway: stand up for yourself and don’t let anyone undermine you. We have to support each other and uplift each other’s talents to change the culture surrounding women in marine science. Programs like this are great for connecting students to alumni and potential mentorship, but that is just a small stepping stone towards a cultural shift towards genuine inclusion of all women in marine science in the workforce."

Christina Rarick, Fall ‘19 awardee 
"It was such a joy to learn from both the newer and seasoned employees and gain a better understanding of the role of nonprofit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the different ways that people arrived there. I highly recommend this type of program."

Amy Nicholson, Fall ‘22 awardee 
"Seeing Lisa, a strong and successful woman in marine science education, was so inspiring. I am so grateful I got to forge this connection with Lisa and members of her team and cannot wait to continue this connection as I figure out my next steps!"

Taylon Dolan, Fall ‘23 awardee 
"Overall, this SWMS and Dive-In alumnae mentorship award was a really great experience that got me connected with a very knowledgeable VIMS alum who I believe will continue to be a valuable connection and mentor in the future."