Gay & Lesbian Fund | Committed to Colorado

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Funding Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in learning more about how to apply for a grant from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado.

Please note: In 2012, we are taking a break from all new grantmaking to undergo a strategic re-evaluation.

During this time, the Gay & Lesbian Fund will not accept any unsolicited 2012 grant applications.

We will announce, and update this site to reflect, the Gay & Lesbian Fund’s revised grantmaking and application guidelines as soon as that information is available.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Organizations seeking a grant from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado must meet basic eligibility requirements. In addition to fitting clearly into one of our four program areas, interested applicants must:

  • Be a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity
  • Provide the majority of services and programming in Colorado
  • Have a nondiscrimination policy stating that they do not discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender expression in employment, promotion, or provision of services (OR are a new applicant committed to developing an inclusive nondiscrimination policy during the course of the grant year)

Please visit Employment Nondiscrimination to learn more about Colorado’s employment nondiscrimination laws.

Our Program Areas

1) ARTS & CULTURE

The Gay & Lesbian Fund supports organizations that enrich lives through the visual arts, performing arts, and cultural programs. We support exceptional organizations that:

  • Advance the concepts of equality and inclusion in Colorado
  • Offer progressive programming designed to stimulate dialogue and challenge stereotypes
  • Reach out to diverse racial, ethnic, religious, sexual, or cultural populations

Arts & Culture grantee organizations might include: libraries, museums, heritage preservation organizations, centers for performing arts, etc.

2) HEALTHY FAMILIES

The Gay & Lesbian Fund supports programs that serve the diverse needs of children, youth, and families. Our funding supports organizations that:

  • Advance the concepts of equality and inclusion in Colorado
  • Provide for the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health of people living in Colorado.
  • Provide services to nontraditional families, including single-parent households, grandparents as primary caregivers, same-gender parent households, etc.

Healthy Families grantee organizations might include: local chapters of national health organizations, food banks, child advocacy agencies, family violence agencies, educational agencies, etc.

3) CIVIC PARTICIPATION

The Gay & Lesbian Fund supports programs that empower people to participate more effectively in their communities and their state. We believe that the active participation of many individuals will result in a stronger, more inclusive democracy. We support local organizations that:

  • Advance the concepts of equality and inclusion in Colorado
  • Encourage civic education, coalition building, leadership development, community activism, and advocacy

Civic Participation grantee organizations might include: community resource centers, public policy research organizations, community foundations, chamber of commerce foundations, volunteer advocacy organizations, etc.

4) PUBLIC BROADCASTING

The Gay & Lesbian Fund invests in Colorado public broadcasting programs.* Our funding supports programming that reaches all four corners of our state, supporting outlets that:

  • Advance the concepts of equality and inclusion in Colorado
  • Provide and encourage intelligent dialogue about important local issues
  • Strive to offer a fair and balanced story, helping listeners make informed decisions

* Public Broadcasting grants from the Gay & Lesbian Fund are by invitation only.

Funding Limitations

  • An organization may apply for funding only once every 12 months.
  • The Gay & Lesbian Fund can only make a 12-month funding commitment. Funding for one year does not imply future funding.
  • The Gay & Lesbian Fund may decline funding requests if an organization has received funding for three continuous years or if an organization is not making an attempt to leverage diversity and foster an inclusive environment.

We Do NOT Fund:

  • LGBT or HIV/AIDS organizations (Colorado organizations seeking this type of assistance may visit the Gill Foundation website)
  • Housing developments
  • Emergency requests
  • Debt reduction
  • Endowments
  • Individuals
  • Capital campaigns or projects
  • Walks, runs, golf tournaments
  • Film production or promotion

Awards and Reporting

Organizations receiving support from the Gay & Lesbian Fund are requested to use the fund’s full name when promoting our support. Our full name is the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado.

Organizations will be notified about a grant award by mail and are required to sign and return a grant contract that outlines the conditions of the award. Funds cannot be released until the grant contract is signed, returned, and confirmed as received.

If you have questions, please contact us at 1-800-964-5643 or grantsmanager@gayandlesbianfund.org.

Close

Welcome to the website for the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado

We’d like to update you on some important news.

In 2012, we are taking a break from all new grantmaking to undergo a strategic re-evaluation.

During this time, the Gay & Lesbian Fund will not accept any unsolicited 2012 grant applications, but all grantees that were awarded a grant from the Gay & Lesbian Fund during 2011 will receive a grant of the same amount in 2012 with no paperwork required. We will accomplish those renewals by March 1, 2012.

The Gay & Lesbian Fund is a program of the Gill Foundation. The Gill Foundation is as committed to Colorado as ever – giving more than $3.5 million to Colorado nonprofits annually. After this re-evaluation, the Gay & Lesbian Fund, which is only a portion of our Colorado giving, will continue to be a significant part of the foundation’s work in the state. We will announce, and update this site to reflect, the Gay & Lesbian Fund’s revised grantmaking and application guidelines as soon as that information is available.

In the interim, all Colorado programs outside of the Gay & Lesbian Fund, including the funding of our progressive allies, our LGBT and HIV service and advocacy organizations, and our anti-bullying work will continue on their current trajectory and will not be directly affected.

Thank you for your patience in the weeks and months ahead. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@gayandlesbianfund.org.

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