Grant giving exceeded $45 million in 2007 and 2008 looks to surpass last year’s total as the fight against breast cancer and domestic violence gains recognition and momentum from the Avon Foundation.

A total of $46,446,697 was awarded to numerous organizations and universities in 2007. Special attention was given to breast cancer care and domestic violence, while donating to emergency relief campaigns and taking on a special cause with a relay, the foundation said.

In 1955, the foundation began with a simple scholarship and escalated to a foundation supporting medical research, support groups, emergency relief, education and development all around the world.

With a grant program still progressing to new heights each year, the one thing that remains the same is more money each year.

In 2005, the foundation gave a total of $30,997,940. With nearly a $15 million jump in funds, the foundation granted $44,340,145 in 2006. In 2007 the trend continued, with a total of $46,446,697 donated to causes across the U.S.

The main focus has remained on the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade and Speaking Out Against Domestic Violence. The grants program breaks down the broad subjects into smaller categories more specific to a targeted population.

Breast Cancer Crusade

Starting in 1992 and adding a new grant category in 2006, breast cancer funding reached $43,781,222 in 2007. The crusade is divided into five categories: cancer centers, direct clinical care/safety net, hospitals/patient navigation, public education/outreach/advocacy, research and support services.

Research grant funding for 2008 gives priority to proposals aimed at new technology development, prevention research, study of the effect of environmental factors on the development of breast cancer, techniques to reduce risk and gene susceptibility related to breast cancer, said the foundation.

Research projects fall within the realm of "helping prevent cancer by advancing our understanding of the changes in healthy breast tissue that precede malignant transformation," said the Foundation.

Safety net hospitals’ grants improve diagnostic care for the underserved. These grants will provide equipment, treatments, screenings and personnel required to make sure women have services available to them beyond the initial, and often free screening, said the foundation.

Speaking Out Against Domestic Violence

A recently created grants program, launched in 2004, still has a few kinks to work out in the arrangement of categories and sub-categories. While work needs to be done to keep the division of grants constant, the goal has not changed, prevention, intervention and support for victims of domestic violence.

First, one grant section of the program is divided into location/regional grants and sales areas. There are seven Avon grant coordinating offices throughout the U.S. Location grants are given out by these offices in their surrounding area. The offices are located in:

• Atlanta, Ga.
• Morton Grove, Ill.
• Newark, Del.
• Pasadena, Calif.
• Rye, N.Y.
• Springdale, Ohio
• Suffern, N.Y.

Area sales grants are divided into Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and West regions. The total of grants given out in the category reached $400,000, said the Foundation.

Other domestic violence grants groups include awareness and education, direct services to victims and children of domestic violence – coordinated response models, safety planning/counseling and teen programs. These grants reached a total of $1,689,884.

Criteria for organizations applying for children of domestic violence grants are:

• experience with the cause;
• a licensed counselor, a treatment program and links to another government and nonprofit; and
• goals and a time line to meet those goals throughout the life of the grant.

Another portion of domestic violence grants is supported by the Need for Speed Relay Against Domestic Violence. In 2007, the 50 mile race raised $47,551 and distributed it amongst shelters, coalitions and groups, said the foundation.

This year, the race will take place at Bear Mountain State Park and end in New Rochelle, N.Y. Money is raised through team member donations. Teams of 6-9 members pay the registration fee, and each individual is required to raise $75 in donations. When the race ends individuals and teams are awarded with prizes based on how much money is raised.

A hopeful $270,000 is the goal for the Need For Speed relay, with seven partner races raising money as well, said Susan Heaney, director of communications at Avon Foundation.

The product raising money for 2008 is the women’s empowerment bracelet. The first global product will make funds available as an extension of the domestic violence program area by supporting education and services to end domestic violence against women, said the Foundation.

Finally, Special Emergency Relief Efforts, are funded through sales of pins or bracelets, donating $509,848 in 2007. Heart of Asia Fund, Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund and the Yellow Ribbon Fund, supported the rebuilding of areas destroyed by nature and families of soldiers lost during conflict.

Currently there is no emergency relief funds being raised, because "we react to emergencies if and when they arise," said Heaney.

Criteria for individual grants change with each subject and cause, but the Foundation will not fund:

• any research or project involving animal testing.
• individuals or groups that only benefit specific individuals.
• religious organizations.
• political organizations, campaigns or candidates.
• personal fundraisers.
• individual medical researchers, except through a grant for the institution/organization/university the researcher is employed at.

Specific deadlines and criteria for each categorical grant can be found on the foundation’s Website.

Address: Avon Foundation, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105; (866) 505-2866, www.avonfoundation.org.