Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply for a grant?

Grants are only given to members of NFWFWF.

2. How do I become a member of North Fork Women?

Membership to North Fork Women is defined as any self-identified lesbian that lives or rents within the boundaries of Southold, Shelter Island or Riverhead Townships. Membership is free. You can sign up on our website at northforkwomen.org/join, or you can send us an email with your full name, email address and mailing address, or call (631) 477-8464 and leave a message with your contact information.

3. What is the grant process?

The process begins with a request for assistance through our Grant Application form. Our program manager receives the completed Grant Application and forwards the request to our Grant Committee within 48 hours. The entire process is highly confidential without anyone on the committee knowing the identity of the requestor. Our program manager acts as a liaison between the grant committee and the grant applicant, keeping the name confidential from the committee.

Once the Grant Committee has completed their review, they will make a recommendation to the president. The president then presents a synopsis of the request to the NFWFWF board, after which a vote is taken to approve or deny the application.
If the application is approved, the program manager will notify the recipient and a check is mailed to the requestor.

4. How long does it take to get a grant?

The time it takes to process a grant is taken on a case by case basis, depending on urgency or the need for additional documentation. The average turn-around for a grant has been one-to-two weeks, but again, the application needs to reviewed first to decide on timing.

5. How do I get an application for a grant?

You have your choice of:

1. Download the form to your computer at northforkwomen.org/services/grants. Fill out the application (the form is fillable). Send the completed application with any supporting documents to us by email or regular mail. Our contact information is below.

2. Go to northforkwomen.org/services/grants, click on the form, print the form, fill it in by hand and mail it back to us at the address below.

3. If you don’t have a computer or a printer, give us a call requesting an application and we will mail an application form to you.

Our contact information is:

• • Email: admin@northforkwomen.org

  • Regular mail: North Fork Women, Att: Grants, PO Box 804, Greenport, NY 11944

  • Phone: (631) 477-8464 Leave a message, we’ll get back to you shortly.

6. What are some of the services or items a grant would pay for?

We are able to assist with the payment of unexpected medical and wellness expenses that are not covered by insurance. For example, and not limited to, dental procedures and prosthetics, hearing aids and other medical devices. We are also able to assist with payment of annual physical exams, mammograms and dermatology screenings. We can also assist with the installation of in-home safety modifications that allow someone to stay in their home alone without fear, including LifeLines personal emergency response systems.

7. What is a LifeLine?

A LifeLine is a button you wear around your neck (like a pendant) or on your wrist (like a watch). The button is connected to the LifeLine emergency center. They can speak to you via a small speaker that is set up in your home. If you ‘have fallen and can’t get up’, press the button and you can speak to the emergency technician, who will get in touch with either the local 911 people, or a person of your choosing. This is great for people who live alone and want the security of being able to contact someone should an emergency arise.

8. If I have savings but am faced with an unexpected expense, can I still apply for a grant?

Yes, each grant is reviewed and awarded on a case by case basis with the understanding of its uniqueness and level of urgency.

9. If I have medical insurance and own a home can I still apply for a grant?

Yes. Many health and wellness expenses are NOT covered by insurance and can be quite expensive causing a shortfall in savings and daily living cash flow requirements.

10. If I don’t live full time on the North Fork, am I still eligible for a Grant from North Fork Women?

Yes. As long as you are a member of North Fork Women and own or rent on the North Fork for all or part of the year, you are eligible for a grant. Many of our members are second-home owners/renters and are eligible for a grant.