Freeport McMoran

Women's Development Initiatives

We are committed to investing in efforts that increase education and economic opportunities for citizens in our operating communities. In particular, we want to ensure that women have suitable, relevant, functional opportunities to be full participants in economic development and attain greater levels of prosperity. When women gain skills, they gain confidence, increase their productivity, mentor others, raise their income levels and reinvest in their children’s education, their family’s health, and economic activities at the community level.  
 
Women’s Development Fund 
The Freeport-McMoRan Women’s Development Fund supports organizations providing women and girls with opportunities to:
(+) Advance attainment, matriculation or graduation via college/career readiness and/or leadership/character development
(+) Create or expand businesses via small business development training and access to capital programs
(+) Increase financial capability and employment via education or workforce skills training

Application Opens: September 2, 2024
Application Closes: October 11, 2024 at 5pm Arizona time
Awards Announced: December 2, 2024

Projects must deliver on one of our Priority Social Impacts below:

Progress to the next grade on time: Number of children promoted to next grade or without summer learning loss
Access post-secondary education: Number of students that matriculate in two- or four-year colleges or professional credentialing programs
Earn a post-secondary degree or credential: Number of students that earn a degree, certification or credential from a two- or four-year colleges or professional credentialing program
Improve income: Number of beneficiaries that substantially improve their income
Attained, retained or improved employment: The number of beneficiaries that gain or sustain a job with a defined threshold for salary, retention, upward mobility, and/or other traits
Jobs created or saved: Number of jobs created, or protected against disappearing
Dollars generated, saved: Additional revenues generated or cost savings achieved
Businesses created, saved or strengthened: Number of businesses created, saved or materially strengthened (eg, through expansion or increased revenues)

Preference is given to these programs:
- Serve our rural operating communities (vs. urban). See eligible communities list below. 
- Use Freeport-McMoRan’s DreamBuilder courses in program implementation
- Provide measurable results of program impact
- Demonstrate collaborations or partnerships that establish increased opportunities for women
- Are sustainable beyond the life of this funding

Eligible Communities
An organization is eligible to submit an application if their program benefits women and girls in one of the communities below.

Arizona
Ajo
Bagdad
Bisbee 
Graham County
Green Valley/Sahuarita
Greenlee County
Hualapai Tribe
Jerome/Clarkdale
Maricopa County 
Miami/Globe
San Carlos Apache Tribe
Tohono O’odham Nation
White Mountain Apache Tribe

Colorado
Lake, Summit, Chaffee and Eagle Counties
Clear Creek and Grand Counties

New Mexico
Grant County

Iowa
Lee County

Louisiana
New Orleans (Greater New Orleans area)

Texas
El Paso

Women's Development Fund Application Resources (hyperlinks below in red)
Sample Application
This can be used as reference when completing the online application.

Project Budget Template 
This template was established by the Foundation and is required. No other budgets will be considered.

Resources, Evidence and Tools
These resources can help you tell the story of your program's anticipated impact. Each link contains evidence, research, or tools that can strengthen your measurement practices or help connect the dots between your program's activities and evidence of impact. 

RECORDING: Arizona Economic Recovery Center 
The Arizona Economic Recovery Center (AZERC) aims to enable eligible Arizona cities, towns, counties, tribal communities, and nonprofits to win and implement competitive federal, state, municipal, or foundation grants.

RECORDING: Project Development and Grant Workshop Arizona Economic Resource Center + Freeport-McMoRan: Grant Funding Webinar
This recording covers tips and tricks on how to make your grant application competitive and how to develop projects that will have the greatest impact on a community need.

Questions?
To learn more about whether your program aligns with our funding interests connect with us at foundation@fmi.com with any questions. In your email, be sure to provide a brief description of the program, priority social impact selection, city, county and state it benefits.


  

DreamBuilder: The Women’s Business Creator


DreamBuilder is an online business training program helping women build their dream of starting or growing their own business. Practical, convenient and fun, DreamBuilder leads women step-by-step through the basics of business. In addition to  interactive courses, students are given access to helpful tools and templates they can use in their own ventures. An innovative Business Plan Generator guides the learner in the creation of a business plan throughout the program.

Project DreamCatcher

Project DreamCatcher is a business training program fully-funded by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and implemented by Thunderbird for Good. Based on Thunderbird's proven training programs for business women, DreamCatcher brings cohorts of Native American business women to downtown Phoenix for an intensive week of training.

- Business classes taught by top Thunderbird faculty
- Interactive site visits to a variety of local businesses
- Integrated coaching by successful entrepreneurs
- Networking opportunities with Arizona business leaders and the Thunderbird community
- Post-program follow-up and support

DreamCatcher Program Highlights