Areas of Interest

The Foundation's primary focus is the support of organizations that provide social services, advocacy and community empowerment to and for the LGBT community. HIV/AIDS remains a strong area of interest but only as it specifically intersects with the LGBT community.

The Foundation is particularly interested in supporting: (1) the most underserved segments of the LGBT community; (2) new and emerging needs and unique work; and (3) organizational development. We will give priority to organizations, strategies and types of grants that may not be easily funded elsewhere. We will also give consideration to organizations in transition, faced by changes in leadership, major funding reductions, etc.

The Foundation will also consider funding programs of organizations not focused exclusively on the LGBT community if the number of LGBT clients served by the program is at least 50%. If these organizations wish to request general operating support, the number of LGBT clients they serve agency-wide must be at least 50%.

Types of Support

The Foundation provides money for new projects and new organizations; support to organizations for ongoing programs; and funding for general operations. (The Foundation will not provide general operating support to organizations whose budgets exceed $5 million. We will, however, consider funding project requests from these organizations if they conform to the requirements as stated in Areas of Interest, above.) The Foundation provides funding for organizational development including technical assistance and matching grants. From time to time, we also consider funding renovations, conferences and publications.

Limitations or Restrictions

The Foundation does not support major building campaigns, medical research, cultural and artistic activities, endowments, grants or scholarships to individuals, or 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 range in size from $15,000 to $50,000. In special circumstances, organizations may ask for and receive project grants of less than $15,000.

Grant Duration

The Foundation may fund for up to a maximum of five years consecutively or five grants in a nine-year period. Once an organization has reached these limits, it must wait for a period of three years before re-applying to the Foundation.

The Foundation will consider making multi-year grants for a maximum of three years.

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 three times annually. Deadlines for receipt of applications are the 1st of February for funding in July; the 1st of June for funding in November; 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) 888-6577 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. The guide may be requested along with the application form.

Contact

Jane D. Schwartz, Executive Director
Ona M. Winet, Program Officer