Category Archives: LGBTQ

Trans Justice Funding Project

The Trans Justice Funding Project supports grassroots, trans justice groups in the United States and its territories. Grants are unrestricted because TJFP believes that organizations can best decide themselves how to spend funds.

Applications open annually in late December and are due by February 15th at midnight PT.

Eligibility

Applicants do not have to have a nonprofit designation from the IRS. However they must:

  • Be run by and for trans people
  • Center the leadership of trans people and their experiences of intersecting oppression with racism, economic injustice, transmisogyny, ableism, immigration, incarceration, etc.
  • Be meeting the needs of their local community while seeing themselves as a part of a larger trans-led fight for equity and justice
  • Have a total annual budget of less than $250,000


Peace Development Fund Community Organizing Grants

Community Organizing Grants from the Peace Development Fund are separated into three programs: Seeding the Movement, Braiding New Worlds, and  Western Mass Transformation. All programs support grassroots, social justice organizations. Applications are due by January 31, 2025.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • 501(c)4 nonprofit organizations
  • Fiscally sponsored organizations

The Western Mass Transformation Fund is open to applicants in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties in Massachusetts. The Seeding the Movement and Braiding New Worlds Funds are limited to the United States, U.S. territories, Mexico, and Haiti.

Funding Areas

PDF supports projects focused on:

  • Organizing to Shift Power
  • Working to Build a Movement
  • Dismantling Oppression
  • Creating New Structures

Grant Programs

Seeding the Movement

Seeding the Movement grants are typically $2,500-$7,500. Past grantees have focused on issues such as environmental justice, labor rights, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s issues.

Braiding New Worlds

Braiding New Worlds grants are typically $3,000-$6,500 for youth-led and youth-focused organizations. Funding recommendations are made by a committee of youth activists.

Western Mass Transformation

Western Mass Transformation grants are typically $500-$3,000 for organizations in Western Massachusetts focused on community organizing and systemic change. Preferential consideration will be given to organizations led by people of color.

Funding Limitations

PDF does not fund:

  • Organizations with budgets larger than $250,000
  • Social services, educational programs, or research not linked to a clear organizing strategy
  • Conferences, trainings, and other one-time events
  • Academic institutions and scholarships

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program

The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program supports small, constituent-led nonprofit organizations working for systemic change.

Applications are due by October 31, 2024. Two year general operating support grants are available for up $30,000 per year.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations:

  • With a 501(c)3 nonprofit status or a fiscal agent
  • Located in the United States and its territories, except Vermont (separate programs are available for organizations in Vermont)
  • With an annual operating budget of less than $350,000
  • That use grassroots campaigns as their primary strategy

Priority consideration will be given to organizations led by members of the BIPOC community addressing systemic oppression and the legacy of white supremacy.

Funding Limitations

This grant is intended to be used for general operating support.

Explicitly prohibited expenses include:

  • Capital or endowment campaigns
  • Research
  • Fellowships or scholarships
  • Political activities
  • Religious activities
  • Regranting
  • Arts or media campaigns not a part of a grassroots campaign

Grassroots Organizing Strategies

The Foundation defines grassroots organizing as movements established from the bottom up, using the power of the people to take on the status quo. Activities may include:

  • Constituent empowerment & decision-making
  • Leadership development of constituents
  • Community & ally outreach
  • Mobilizing constituents & allies
  • Coalition building
  • Popular education
  • Campaign development
  • Non-violent direct action

Campus Pride Social Justice Mini-Grants for Activism

Campus Pride Social Justice Mini-Grants for Activism supports on-campus activities in the U.S. to help foster acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Projects must be youth-led, youth-driven, and youth-implemented.

Applications for up to $600 are due by October 15, 2024. In past years, 13-20 grants have been awarded. Projects must be completed within 6 months.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Individuals
  • Student organizations
  • Campuses

Priority Consideration

Priority consideration will be given to projects that:

  • Focus on 18-26 year olds
  • Advocate for LGBTQ awareness, programming, and initiatives that address the intersections of ethnicity, race, class, ability, faith/spirituality, etc.
  • Empower the voices of queer, trans, and nonbinary students, particularly youth of color
  • Stand in solidarity with queer and trans undocumented students and advocate for increased accessibility of higher education
  • Recognize the value and necessity of minority serving institutions (including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Asian American Serving Institutions) and support student organizing on these campuses

Submission Video

Applications must include a 1-2 minute video submitted as an mp4 file to info@campuspride.org. Videos should include:

  • Applicant’s name
  • Location
  • A description of the project
  • Expected outcomes
  • Why you’re passionate about this project

Queer to Stay: LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative

The Queer to Stay: LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative supports LGBTQ+ small businesses still overcoming the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its fifth year, Queer to Stay will make donations to at least 25 businesses in the United States who specifically serve the LGBTQ+ community. Applications are due by August 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to for profit businesses in the U.S. that cater to the LGBTQ+ community and can describe how the pandemic has and continues to impact them.

Special consideration will be given to businesses that are owned by queer people of color, queer women, and transgender or nonbinary individuals.

Wayne F Placek Grants

Wayne F Placek Grants from the American Psychological Foundation support research on public understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. Two grants will be awarded in 2024. One, the Wayne F. Placek Grant in Memorial of John Peterson, will go to a psychological research project focused on queer Black individuals and communities.

Applications for up to $15,000 are due by June 12, 2024 at 11:59 PM Hawaii Time.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • Doctoral-level or graduate student researchers affiliated with an educational institution

International applicants who meet the above criteria and whose country has diplomatic relations with the United States are welcome to apply.

The recipient of the Wayne F. Placek Grant in Memorial of John Peterson must be a person of color.

Topic Areas

Research project should focus on one of the following topics:

  • Heterosexual attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people, including prejudice, discrimination, and violence
  • Family and workplace issues faced by LGBTQ+ people
  • Concerns of specific sub-sectors of the LGBTQ+ population that have been underrepresented in scientific research
  • Issues faced by Black LGBTQ+ people and communities

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for direct costs only, such as:

  • PI stipend
  • Participant payments
  • Technology (software, hardware, imaging, etc.)
  • Open access and/or publication costs
  • Travel
  • Personnel stipends
  • Supplemental training

A.J. Muste Memorial Institute Social Justice Fund Grant

The A.J. Muste Memorial Institute Social Justice Fund Grant supports grassroots organizations in the United States doing activist work.

Applications for up to $10,000 are due by April 22, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to registered and unregistered nonprofit organizations in the United States with an annual operating budget of less than $500,000. Applicants may use a fiscal sponsor.

The Institute’s priority is to support organizations:

  • Doing direct activism work
  • With diverse, representative, and democratic leadership structures
  • With limited access to more mainstream funding sources

Focus Areas

The Institute is particularly interested in projects focused on:

  • Ending violence at the U.S./Mexico border and the criminalization of migrants
  • Redefining the criminal justice system and policing
  • Confronting institutionalized violence based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender expression
  • Ending economic exploitation and systemic poverty
  • Ending state sponsored terrorism

Funding Limitations

Grant funding may be used for general operating support or project support. It may not be used for:

  • Academic research
  • Economic development projects
  • Direct social services
  • Capital campaigns
  • Art, theater, film, or video projects not directly tied to activism or organizing
  • Legal defense or litigation
  • Scholarships

It Gets Better Project: 50 States, 50 Grants, 5000 Voices

The 50 States, 50 Grants, 5000 Voices grant from the It Gets Better Project aims to fund projects in all 50 states to support LGBTQ+ youth and educators. Schools can apply for for activities that will empower members of the LGBTQ+ community and help foster acceptance.

Applications for up to $10,000 are due by April 1, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to public or charter middle/junior high and high schools in the United States and its territories.

Allowable Activities

Grant funds can be spent on a wide variety of projects supporting LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ students and educators. Examples include

  • Forming a Gender & Sexualities Alliance or similar group and providing leadership training for its leaders.
  • Purchasing books to create an LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ section in your school library.
  • Creating an art installation depicting local LGBTQ+/2SLGBTQ+ history.
  • Building a float for your city’s Pride parade.

Funds may not be spent on political activities, research, scholarships, or projects that benefit only one person.

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

  • School Environment – 15%
  • Project Vision – 50%
  • Project Budget – 15%
  • Overall Review – 20%

Priority Consideration

Schools will receive priority consideration and an additional 10% added to their evaluation score if they have:

  • A diverse student population
  • Federally recognized Title I status (i.e. 40% or more of students come from low-income homes)
  • Demonstrated support for LGBTQ+ students through policies, curriculum, etc.
  • Incorporation of broader community involvement
  • A plan that can continue beyond the grant year

Third Wave Fund: Mobilize Power Fund

The Mobilize Power Fund is a grant program from the Third Wave Fund, which provides rapid response support to gender justice organizations in the U.S. and its territories. This money is intended to help groups act in the face of unanticipated opportunities or threats.

Applications for up to $10,000 ($20,000 for partnerships and coalitions) are accepted and reviewed five time a years. Due dates for 2024 are March 5, May 7, July 2, September 3, and October 1.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations in the United States and its territories, with or without a 501(c)3 nonprofit designation. Applicants must, however:

  • Be led by transgender or cisgender women of color and/or trans, gender non-conforming, and intersex people of color under age 35
  • Be working on issues of gender inequity, gender-based violence, homophobia, or transphobia
  • Be responding to a time sensitive opportunity or threat that necessitates a change in regular operations
  • Be focused on strategies that strengthen the community in which they’re working
  • Have an annual opperating budget of less than $500,000

Allowable Activities

Grant funds may be use for:

  • Marches or rallies
  • Bail or legal fees
  • Leadership training
  • Mutual aid
  • Healing justice work
  • Unanticipated legislative or ballot initiative campaigns

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • General operating support
  • Regularly scheduled activities
  • Budget shortfalls

Submission Options

Applicants have the option to submit their project narrative in written or video form or through a phone interview with a Fund representative.

  • Written narratives must be no more than four pages
  • Video narratives must be no more than 10 minutes long
  • Phone interviews may be scheduled by emailing programs@thirdwavefund.org or calling 917-387-1262 ext. 806 before the last Tuesday of every month. Availability of this option will be based on the number of requests each month. Priority will be given to groups for whom a written narrative is inaccessible.

Urgent Action Fund Security Grants

The Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism supports women, non-binary, and trans activists as they fight for justice. Security Grants provide up to $8,000 in funds to respond to critical safety threats.

Applications are accepted on a continual basis and decisions made within 1-10 days. Grant periods are three months.

Eligibility

Organization

This grant is open to organizations that:

  • Are Woman/Trans/Non-binary led
    • Are focused on Women’s, Trans, and Non-binary human rights
  • Are supported by a network of other organizations in the human rights field
  • Are experiencing an unexpected and time sensitive situation
  • Have an annual operating budget of less than $1 million

Applications will not be accepted from non-activists or organizations led by cisgender men.

Geography

This grant is open to organizations in:

  • The Balkans
  • Canada
  • The Caucasus
  • Central Asia
  • Europe
  • The Middle East
  • The United States

Organizations in other regions of the world can apply to:

Allowable Expenses

Security Grant funds must be used to protect the safety and security of activists. They cannot be used for:

  • Planned projects or programs
  • Annual operating expenses
  • Scholarships
  • Capital projects