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Submit Applications for Keith Haring Foundation Grant Program (US)

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Rhode Island Foundation’s Basic Human Needs Grants Program (US)

Deadline: 21-Jun-2026

The Keith Haring Foundation supports U.S. nonprofit organizations working in youth development, HIV/AIDS services, and arts and culture. The foundation prioritizes direct service programs that support vulnerable youth, people living with or at high risk of HIV/AIDS, and cultural initiatives that deepen public understanding of Keith Haring’s artistic legacy and social activism.

Program Overview

The Keith Haring Foundation is inviting applications from U.S. nonprofit organizations that provide services and opportunities for young people, individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, and communities engaged in arts and culture.

The foundation supports organizations that demonstrate clear need, strong performance, measurable outcomes, and sustainable impact. Funding is primarily directed toward direct service programs that address disparities in healthcare, education, employment, and cultural access.

Program Purpose

The purpose of the program is to support nonprofit organizations that improve the lives of vulnerable youth, people living with or at high risk of HIV/AIDS, and communities connected to arts and cultural education.

The foundation aims to help young people become self-sufficient adults, strengthen services for people affected by HIV/AIDS, and promote public understanding of Keith Haring’s life, artwork, and legacy of social activism.

Key Focus Areas

The program focuses on youth development, HIV/AIDS support, and arts and culture.

Key focus areas include:

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit public charitable organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3).

The foundation does not support individual applicants.

Eligible applicants include:

Geographic Priorities

The foundation has specific geographic priorities depending on the program area.

Priority areas include:

Youth Development Priority

The foundation prioritizes programs serving New York City’s most vulnerable youth.

Youth development programs should support young people in building stability, confidence, skills, and pathways toward self-sufficiency.

Priority is given to programs that provide:

HIV/AIDS Services Priority

The foundation supports organizations serving individuals living with or at high risk of HIV/AIDS.

Priority is given to organizations that serve high-risk populations and communities affected by poor health outcomes and related social challenges.

HIV/AIDS-related support may focus on:

Arts and Culture Priority

The foundation supports arts and cultural institutions that provide educational and cultural programs connected to Keith Haring’s legacy.

Arts and culture projects should deepen public understanding of:

What the Foundation Supports

The foundation supports nonprofit programs that show strong impact and clear community need.

Supported initiatives may include:

What the Foundation Does Not Support

The foundation does not support all types of funding requests.

Ineligible requests include:

First-Time Grantees

First-time grantees are typically considered for partial support.

Programs submitted by first-time applicants should generally have been operating for at least three years and should demonstrate strong outcome data.

Strong first-time applications should show:

Longstanding Grantees

Longstanding grantees with established relationships may be considered for expanded funding options.

Possible expanded support may include:

These options are generally considered for organizations with a strong track record and an established relationship with the foundation.

Reapplication Rules

Organizations that have previously received funding must wait two years before applying for renewal.

New applicants that were previously unsuccessful must wait one year before reapplying.

Applicants should review their eligibility and timing carefully before submitting a new request.

Why This Program Matters

The Keith Haring Foundation’s grantmaking reflects the artist’s commitment to young people, public art, social justice, and HIV/AIDS awareness.

The program matters because it supports organizations addressing long-standing disparities in healthcare, education, employment, and cultural access. It helps nonprofits deliver direct services to vulnerable communities while also preserving and sharing Keith Haring’s legacy of creative activism.

By funding youth development, HIV/AIDS services, and arts education, the foundation supports practical community impact and cultural engagement.

How the Program Works

The foundation supports eligible nonprofit organizations that align with its funding priorities.

The process generally includes:

  1. A nonprofit organization confirms 501(c)(3) public charity status.
  2. The organization reviews alignment with youth development, HIV/AIDS services, or arts and culture priorities.
  3. The organization prepares a proposal showing clear need, strong performance, and measurable outcomes.
  4. First-time applicants demonstrate that the program has operated for at least three years and has strong outcome data.
  5. The foundation reviews the request based on eligibility, impact, sustainability, and fit with its priorities.
  6. Successful applicants may receive partial program support or, for longstanding grantees, expanded funding options.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a focused proposal that clearly explains the organization’s mission, program model, target population, evidence of impact, and funding need.

Application Preparation Steps

  1. Confirm nonprofit status
    Applicants must confirm that they are nonprofit public charitable organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3).
  2. Check program alignment
    Applicants should ensure their work fits one of the foundation’s core areas: youth development, HIV/AIDS services, or arts and culture.
  3. Identify the target population
    The proposal should clearly explain who the program serves, such as vulnerable youth, people living with HIV/AIDS, high-risk populations, or audiences engaging with Keith Haring’s legacy.
  4. Demonstrate clear need
    Applicants should explain the problem being addressed, including disparities in healthcare, education, employment, or cultural access.
  5. Show measurable outcomes
    The application should include evidence of program results, impact data, participant outcomes, or other performance indicators.
  6. Explain sustainability
    Applicants should show how the program can continue producing meaningful outcomes over time.
  7. Avoid ineligible requests
    Applicants should not request support for retroactive costs, individual needs, or projects that can be funded through government sources.
  8. Follow reapplication rules
    Previous grantees should wait two years before applying for renewal, while unsuccessful new applicants should wait one year before reapplying.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that lack clear alignment or measurable impact.

Common mistakes include:

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should be evidence-based, direct, and clearly aligned with the foundation’s priorities.

Applicants should:

Key Terms Explained

Keith Haring Foundation

The Keith Haring Foundation is a grantmaking foundation that supports youth development, HIV/AIDS services, and arts and cultural programs connected to Keith Haring’s legacy.

Youth Development

Youth development refers to programs that help young people build skills, confidence, education, employment pathways, and self-sufficiency.

HIV/AIDS Services

HIV/AIDS services include healthcare, prevention, support, outreach, and assistance for people living with or at high risk of HIV/AIDS.

Direct Service Delivery

Direct service delivery means providing practical support or services directly to individuals or communities.

501(c)(3) Status

501(c)(3) status is a U.S. federal tax-exempt designation for nonprofit charitable organizations.

Retroactive Funding

Retroactive funding refers to support for costs that have already been incurred or projects that have already been completed.

Capacity Grant

A capacity grant supports an organization’s ability to strengthen operations, systems, staffing, or long-term effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Keith Haring Foundation grant program?

The program supports U.S. nonprofit organizations working in youth development, HIV/AIDS services, and arts and culture.

Who can apply?

Nonprofit public charitable organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) can apply.

Can individuals apply?

No. The foundation does not support individual applicants.

What youth programs are prioritized?

Priority is given to programs serving New York City’s most vulnerable youth, especially those offering long-term support, mentoring, academic advancement, employment opportunities, and pathways to self-sufficiency.

What HIV/AIDS programs are prioritized?

Priority is given to organizations serving high-risk populations and people affected by poor health outcomes and related challenges in New York City and the South-Eastern United States.

What arts and culture projects are supported?

The foundation supports institutions that provide educational and cultural programs aligned with Keith Haring’s life, artwork, and legacy of social activism.

Does the foundation fund retroactive costs?

No. Retroactive funding requests are not supported.

Can first-time applicants apply?

Yes. First-time grantees are typically considered for partial support of programs that have been operating for at least three years and can demonstrate strong outcome data.

Can previous grantees apply again?

Yes. Organizations that have previously received funding must wait two years before applying for renewal.

When can unsuccessful new applicants reapply?

New applicants that were previously unsuccessful must wait one year before reapplying.

Conclusion

The Keith Haring Foundation supports U.S. nonprofit organizations that create meaningful impact in youth development, HIV/AIDS services, and arts and culture. By prioritizing direct service delivery, measurable outcomes, vulnerable communities, and programs connected to Keith Haring’s legacy of social activism, the foundation helps address disparities in healthcare, education, employment, and cultural engagement while supporting long-term community change.

For more information, visit The Keith Haring Foundation.

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