Grant Opportunities for IWCA Chapters & Chapter Members

Women in Coffee
Training & Grant Fund Application

Your members are ready to grow. We're here to help.

The barista who wants to compete at nationals. The green coffee buyer pursuing Q Grader certification. The roaster training to become a sensory judge. The producer learning regenerative farming practices. The farm manager pursuing business training.

When women in coffee advance their skills and careers, the impact multiplies. One woman's growth creates possibilities for others in your chapter and beyond.

This fund makes those opportunities possible.

What We Support

We provide up to $1,500 per person for professional development opportunities in coffee. Our goal is to build bridges and open doors of opportunity for women throughout the coffee value chain.

Examples include

  • Certifications

    Q Grader, R Grader, sensory training, processing certifications, and other professional credentials

  • Competitions

    Barista, roasting, brewing, and tasting competitions at regional, national, or international levels

  • Professional Training

    Judge certifications, train-the-trainer programs, specialized courses, and industry development programs

  • Have something else in mind?

    Tell us about it in your application. We review each opportunity individually.

Apply Now

 Three Grant Levels

Level 1:
Up to $500

Level 2:
$501–$1,000

Level 3:
$1,001–$1,500

How It Works

Chapters lead the way.

Applications may be initiated by Chapter Leaders or active members in partnership with their leadership. Chapter Leaders review candidates, determine support, and submit the application on behalf of the chapter.

Application Process

1. Identify the opportunity
If you're a member with an opportunity, approach your chapter leadership. If you're chapter leadership, identify a member pursuing professional development. Talk together about the opportunity and how knowledge will be shared with your chapter.

2. Complete the online application
Tell us about your member, the program, and how knowledge will be shared

3. We review
You will hear from us within 30 days

4. Decision
We notify you by email

5. Payment
If approved, IWCA transfers funds to your chapter

6. Your chapter pays the program
You manage the payment directly

7. Your member shares their experience
Photos, impact story, and knowledge with your chapter and with IWCA Global

What Grant Recipient Provides

After completing the program, we ask the grant recipient share with IWCA Global:

  • Photos from the experience (5-10 photos)

  • Impact story about what they learned (150-500 words)

  • Knowledge with your chapter (presentation, workshop, written summary, or mentoring)

  • IWCA logo represented when appropriate

This is how one person's growth supports the chapter's growth.

Who Can Apply

Chapter member applicant should be:

  • Active in their country’s IWCA chapter or regional community

  • Pursuing professional development in coffee

  • Ready to share what they learn with others

One grant per person per year. We work to support women across all our chapters and regions.

 FAQs

 

  • Yes. We review all applications and work to support as many women as possible.

  • Your member can cover the difference, your chapter can choose to contribute, or you can find other outside funding. IWCA provides up to $1,500 toward the total cost.

  • Contact us right away at projects@womenincoffee.org. We will work with you to redirect funds to another opportunity.

  • We understand that circumstances change. Contact us at projects@womenincoffee.org and we will discuss options together.

  • Yes. Describe the program in your application and we will review it. Our goal is to build bridges and open doors of opportunity for women in coffee.

  • You will receive our decision within 30 days of submitting your application. Our committee meets and reviews applications twice a month. Please send an email to projects@womenincoffee.org if you need a response sooner.

  • We work to distribute funds equitably across chapters and regions. We consider the professional value of the program and how the recipient will share knowledge with your chapter community.

  • IWCA sends payment directly to your chapter. Your chapter manages the payment to the program or training provider.

  • Email us at projects@womenincoffee.org. We are here to support you.

Ready to Apply?

Apply for Grant

Questions?

Email us: projects@womenincoffee.org

When chapter members grow, the entire IWCA network grows stronger. We're excited to support you.