The Paul Rapoport Foundation - Application Guidelines

The Paul Rapoport Foundation was established in 1987 with funds from the estate of Paul Rapoport, a founder of both New York City's LGBT Community Services Center and GMHC. Throughout its history the Foundation has sought to reflect Paul's values by providing funding for organizations that continue to be in the vanguard of assuring equal rights and services for the entire LGTB community. In 2009, due to the major economic turndown of the preceding year, the Foundation announced it would seek to maximize its impact on and for the LGTB community by spending down all of its assets as of 2014.

To insure that the spend out would have the maximum impact on the most vulnerable of LGTB populations, the Foundation undertook a needs assessment in the summer of 2009 that identified priority population groups, the most critical issues they face and the strategies identified by these communities as best suited to addressing their needs. The results of the needs assessment are articulated in these guidelines.

Racial and economic equity within the LGTB community are the over-arching principles which guide the grantmaking agenda of the Paul Rapoport Foundation.

Areas of Interest

For its final years of grantmaking the Foundation's focus will be on three populations of low or no income: (1) transgender communities of color; (2) LGTBQ youth of color, ages 24 and under; and (3) LGTB seniors of color aged 60 and over.

We will give priority to organizations and grant applications that meet our goals for achieving racial and economic equity within the LGTB community, that is, to those organizations and programs that serve a minimum of 50% LGTBQ people of color; and who can demonstrate that the composition of the organization's board and staff strives to reflect these communities in similar proportion.

The Foundation will also consider funding programs of organizations not focused exclusively on the LGTB community if the number of LGTBQ clients of color served by the program is at least 50%. We will also expect such organizations to be able to show significant diversity in the makeup of their board and staff.

Types of Support

The Foundation will provide funding for direct services to and advocacy for and by our three target populations, as well as support for organizational development for agencies serving these populations.

The Foundation will provide funding for new programs of established organizations as well as expansions or enhancements of existing programs.

The Foundation will give priority to proposals from coalitions of organizations working with our target populations.

The Foundation will give priority to proposals from two or more organizations that propose to jointly develop their organizational infrastructure.

The Foundation will not provide unrestricted support.

Limitations or Restrictions

The Foundation will no longer support start-up organizations. The Foundation does not support medical research, cultural and artistic activities, major building campaigns, endowments, grants or scholar-ships to individuals or to other foundations. The Foundation does not make grants for purposes of influencing elections or legislation, or for any other activity that may jeopardize the Foundation's tax-exempt status. The Foundation funds only non-profit, charitable organizations as defined by the Internal Revenue Service Code Section 509(a).

Grant Size

Grants of $50,000 and higher, per year.

Grant Duration

The Foundation will consider making multi-year grants for the following durations: for a maximum of 4 years in the 2010-11 grant year; a maximum of 3 years in 2011-12; and a maximum of 2 years in 2012-13. Starting with the April 1, 2010 application deadline the Foundation's "cycle out" policy will cease. Grantees currently "cycled out" may reapply at this time if they meet our current requirements.

Geographic Limits

The Foundation funds primarily within the five boroughs of New York City, as well as on Long Island, in Westchester and nearby New Jersey. We will only fund national organizations when they request funding for programs specific to the New York metropolitan area.

Application and Funding Deadlines

The Board considers grant applications twice annually. Application is by Letter of Intent. Deadlines for receipt of Letters of Intent are the 1st of April for funding in September; and the 1st of October for funding in March or, if the 1st falls on a weekend, the previous Friday.

To Apply

Organizations interested in applying for a grant must first call the Foundation at (212) 888-6578 to speak with a staff member to determine if their organization and/or project fits the Foundation's guidelines. The Foundation also offers a guide to Characteristics and Practices of an Effective Organization that sets forth those components and practices that the Foundation deems necessary for strong organizations. The guide was developed to help organizations grow and become more effective in serving their clients and in carrying out their work.

Review Process

Once the Letters of Intent received in each funding cycle have been read, staff will request a full proposal from the strongest applicants and will arrange a site visit with each applicant to evaluate the proposed project.