Category Archives: LGBTQ

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

USAID: Advancement of LGBTQI+ Rights

The U.S. Agency for International Development has issued an invitation to submit Concept Notes for projects to advance LGBTQI+ rights. Countries in the Global South and East where USAID has a presence are especially encouraged to apply.

USAID intends to issue up to three awards of $500,000 – $10 million over as many as five years. This is subject to change based on available funding and the quality of submissions. Concept Notes must be emailed to lgbtqi@usaid.gov, with JRS-APS@usaid.gov copied by March 15, 2024.

Eligibility

This invitation is open to nonprofit organizations in any country. Civil society organizations in countries where USAID has a presence are highly encouraged to apply.

Applicants may collaborate to submit a single Concept Note, but one organization should be designated as the lead applicant.

Objectives

This funding opportunity is an addendum to the Justice, Rights, and Security (JRS), Annual Program Statement. It’s objectives are:

  1. Advance the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals and communities to access education, professional development, livelihoods, and employment opportunities
  2. Advance the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals to access quality basic health services, including mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS)
  3. Advance the ability of regional/multi-country organizations and/or coalitions to effectively respond to and counter anti-rights actors

Potential Activities

Project activities might include:

  • Creating and distributing anti-bullying campaign materials and resources
  • Determining key obstacles to employment for LGBTQI+ individuals and working with employers, trade unions, chambers of commerce, etc. to promote inclusivity
  • Establishing and training peer led support groups
  • Creating resources in local languages to help health providors better understand care for intersex, gender non-conforming, and transgender people
  • Creating or supporting the creation of resources in local languages and contexts to counter the misinformation of anti-rights groups

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. This program is based on the view that the people best suited to solving a problem are those most directly affected.

Pre-applications may be submitted January – November of each year. Organizations invited to submit a full application will be given a specific due date. Two year awards are available for up $30,000 per year, with an average grant of $20,000 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.

Allowable Expenses

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. Successful applications will follow this course and employ all of the following strategies.

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

Global Fund for Women Grants

The Global Fund for Women was founded in 1987 to support the gender justice movement. Through their grants they assist organizations working in their local communities to further gender equality.

Interested groups are encouraged to submit an Organizational Profile. If an organization is deemed a good fit for a General Support/Innovation Grant or Crisis Grant, they will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Eligibility

To qualify for funding, organizations must:

  • Be located outside the United States
  • Use an intersectional feminist analysis to advance gender justice
  • Embrace collective action
  • Be governed, directed, and/or led by historically marginalized communities including cis or transgender women, racial and ethnic minorities, and young, disabled, or queer people

Applicants may not be:

  • Individuals
  • Government entities
  • Political parties or campaigns
  • National level organizations

Applicants do not have to be non-governmental organizations to qualify.

Grant Types

  • General Support/Innovation Grant – These funds can be used to cover many expenses at the recipients discretion. This may include projects and programs or operating expenses such as rent and salaries.
  • Crisis Grants – Crisis funding is used to respond to urgent situtations caused by political violence, public health crises, and natural disasters.

The Scherman Foundation

Since 1941, the Scherman Foundation has been involved in philanthropic giving in New York City and across the United States. Currently, they are focusing their efforts on racial justice issues surrounding climate change, democracy, and reproductive health care.

Grants are awarded on a national level in three focus areas: Democracy, Environmental & Climate Justice, and Reproductive Justice. Average award varies by focus area. Letters of Interest are accepted on a continual basis and responses typically take twelve weeks. Approved submissions will receive an invitation and link to the full application.

Focus Areas

Democracy

Awards in this area are generally $75,000 – $150,000 over a two year period for general operating support or specific projects.

To protect the right to vote, build institutions that are more accountable to the public, and address injustice, the Foundation supports organizations working toward:

  • Protecting, increasing access to, and expanding the right to vote, and ensuring secure and peaceful elections
  • Advancing institutional reforms
  • Building community power

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Direct service
  • Annual or capital campaigns
  • Endowments
  • Conferences
  • 501(c)4 organizations

Environmental & Climate Justice

Awards in this area average $50,000 over a two year period for general operating support or specific projects.

The Foundation is currently focusing on community-based BIPOC groups who are fighting for climate justice. People of color have born the brunt of negative impacts from pollution, climate change, and other types of environmental degradation and are leading the charge to overcome them. Preference is given to organizations in New York City and State, but applications from all U.S. states are welcome.

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Land conservation
  • Projects outside the United States

Reproductive Justice

Awards in this area average $45,000 over a two year period for general operating support or specific projects.

The Foundation supports organizations addressing the disparities in access to reproductive health care based on race, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Potential strategies include:

  • Policy advocacy
  • Voter engagement
  • Public education
  • Leadership development
  • Legal advocacy
  • Litigation

Funds may not be used for:

  • Projects outside the United States
  • Direct action
  • Medical research
  • Research and publications not directly linked to policy outcomes
  • Scholarships or grants to individuals
  • Conferences and travel stipends

Family Counseling and Support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex+ Youth and their Families

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Office of Behavioral Health Equity has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Family Counseling and Support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex+ Youth and their Families grant.

This grant is intended to fund programs that address the higher rates of mental illness and suicidality among LGBTQ+ youth in comparison to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Applicant programs should also focus on the negative impacts of an unsupportive home/family environment.

The Office anticipates awarding four grants of up to $425,000 per year for as many as three years. There is no match requirement. Applications are due through Grants.gov or eRA ASSIST by July 3, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET.  

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • State and Territory governments in the United States
  • Local governments
  • Native American Tribes
  • Health facilities
  • Facilities run by or in conjunction with the Indian Health Service
  • Public or private nonprofit organizations
  • Tribal organizations

Required Activities

  • Create and implement an outreach strategy to connect the target community with services within four months of award
  • Create and implement a public awareness campaign to engage families and promote familial support for LGBTQ+ youth within four months of award
  • Create and implement screening and referral guidelines to connect the target community with services
  • Identify and collaborate with community-based service providers to refer LGBTQ+ youth who require more intensive services due to mental health or substance misuse disorder
  • Create and implement a workforce training plan to educate providers on evidence-based family counseling practices
  • Implement an evidence-based family counseling program to promote family acceptance within six months of award
  • Establish or expand an existing LGBTQ+ youth and family advisory workgroup within six months of award
  • Create and implement a family counseling training program for organizations who work with LGBTQ+ youth
  • Coordinate efforts and access relevant technical assistance (TA) and resources with the SAMHSA funded LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs), and other SAMHSA and relevant Health and Human Services (HHS) TA Centers and resources.

Allowable Activities

  • Consulting with social media professionals to improve targeted communications
  • Consulting with education and child welfare professionals to create or expand volunteer programs that address LGBTQ+ mental health and family rejection
  • Providing peer and family support services
  • Collaborating with agencies that work with youth to develop a broad web of partnerships

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Population of focus and statement of need (10 points)
  • Proposed implementation approach (30 points)
  • Proposed evidence-based service/practice (20 points)
  • Staff and organizational experience (25 points)
  • Data collection and performance measurement (15 points)