Samara Fund at the Vermount Foundation will accept applications for projects or organizations that serve the LGBTQ community or support HIV/AIDS services or prevention at the grassroots level. The grants up to $3,000 will be awarded to projects or organizations that serve critical needs within the Vermont LGBTQ community or support HIV/AIDS services or prevention at the grassroots level. Applications for this year’s grant cycle of the Samara Fund must be submitted by April 12, 2018.
The fund can help individuals and families who want to support LGBTQ causes both now and into the future and nonprofit organizations that benefit the LGBTQ community by providing grants to help meet and sustain their missions.
Priority will given to projects and programs serving youth, elders, or transgender Vermonters; rural areas outside of Chittenden County; basic human needs in the LGBTQ community; community safety and a decrease in violence in all forms; and youth development and leadership skills.
Eligible applicants must be non-profit organizations whose primary service area is within Vermont. Otherwise eligible projects that do not have IRS 501(c)(3) status may still apply using a fiscal sponsor. Fiscal sponsors must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a public agency, school, or municipality in the state of Vermont.
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (as defined in paragraph 249(c)(4) of title 18, United States Code), sexual orientation, marital or parental status, political affiliation, military service, physical or mental ability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available (meaning any funds having a competitive application process) by the Vermont Community Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Foundation.
The Samara Fund grant review committee, made up of volunteer LGBTQ and allied Vermonters, will review all applications that satisfy requirements and make funding recommendations to the Vermont Community Foundation.
The Samara Fund is interested in projects addressing foundation’s mission from a wide variety of organizations or fields of work including: basic human needs – such as health care, housing and poverty alleviation; community safety and anti-violence programs; youth development and leadership; advocacy and organizing; education; and arts and cultural events.
The Samara Fund aims to foster and sustain Vermont’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities by providing support for projects and scholarships and establishing a permanent resource dedicated to ensuring that LGBTQ Vermonters are connected, healthy, appreciated, safe, and empowered. Since its founding, Samara has granted more than $600,000 to organizations and projects in support of its mission.