Deadline: 15-Sep-20
The Maine Community Foundation has launched a call for applications for the Equity Fund to strengthen lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) organizations in Maine and support community-based initiatives.
Priorities
The Equity Fund supports all aspects of the LGBTQ+ community. It will consider projects and organizations that:
- Increase access to health care or reduce health disparities
- Reduce race-based disparities or barriers to opportunities
- Reduce violence and/or harassment
- Promote respect and understanding
- Involve people who identify as LGTBQ+. They should be:
- in leadership positions on board and staff of the organization
- involved in the design, delivery, and evaluation of the programs and services
- most of the participants or intended recipients.
Funding Information
The maximum award is sized up to $7,500.
Types of Grants
The Equity Fund awards three types of grants: general support grants, project grants, and capacity-building grants.
- General support grants provide support to LGBTQ+ organizations for ongoing programming and operational needs.
- Project grants provide support for new or expanded projects. Projects are activities with a clear start and end, with goals and objectives related to but not the same as the organization’s mission.
- Capacity-building grants provide support for activities that will improve operations and efficiency for organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities. This includes activities that will:
- improve governance and leadership
- improve staff skills
- improve services and programs
- improve financial management
- create and implement outcomes-based strategic and business plans.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofit, charitable organizations tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and also classified as an organization described in sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2)
- Municipalities
- Public schools
- Public agencies working for the State of Maine
- Indian tribal governments (or political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior
- Groups without any tax status may apply with a fiscal sponsor that is an eligible organization.
Ineligible Requests
The Equity Fund will not support the following types of programs or fundraising efforts because they primarily provide very indirect or delayed benefits to the community.
- Endowments or capital campaigns: Activities designed to increase capital or assets of the organization. This includes costs related to verbal or written requests for financial support such as appeal letters or fundraising events.
- Camperships: This includes funding for admission, enrollment, tuition, or other costs related to individual or group attendance at a short-term recreational or educational program.
- Capital expenses: Purchases of equipment or building materials that are related to the organization’s core operations rather than projects or capacity-building programs with clearly defined outcomes.
For more information, visit https://www.mainecf.org/apply-for-a-grant/available-grants-deadlines/equity-fund/