Category Archives: LGBTQ

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

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)