Cleveland Foundation’s LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund

The LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund is a dedicated philanthropic initiative established by the Cleveland Foundation in August 2024 with an initial endowment of $3 million. Designed to be a long-term community resource, the fund aims to grow sustainably through continued public support. It reflects the Cleveland Foundation’s broader commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion by focusing its resources on the empowerment and advancement of LGBTQ+ communities in Greater Cleveland. The fund's core mission is to channel philanthropic investment into efforts that further queer justice and equity. Grants are targeted at nonprofit organizations that are designated 501(c)(3) entities and operate within the Greater Cleveland area. This geographic focus ensures that resources are directed to community-based organizations that intimately understand the needs and aspirations of the LGBTQ+ individuals they serve. The LGBTQ+ Opportunity Fund organizes its grantmaking into two major impact areas. The first, Community Network Building, supports initiatives that foster stronger interpersonal and organizational relationships within the LGBTQ+ community. Funded projects may include advocacy campaigns, community organizing, skills training, leadership development, and programs that build or expand allyship networks and collaborative partnerships across sectors. The second impact area, Visibility and Narrative Change, focuses on supporting efforts that highlight the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people and increase public awareness and understanding. This could involve storytelling initiatives, media campaigns, educational outreach to individuals or groups, and partnerships with corporate or civic institutions aimed at fostering inclusive narratives and reducing stigma. Grants will range from $10,000 to $25,000 per award. The fund does not detail specific restrictions or spending rules in the available information, but projects should clearly align with one or both of the defined impact areas. Only organizations with valid 501(c)(3) status located in Greater Cleveland are eligible to apply. Applications are due by August 1. No additional application stages, such as letters of intent or pre-proposals, are specified. Information about the application process, evaluation criteria, and specific contacts (such as names, emails, or phone numbers) is not provided in the source content. Additionally, there are no details regarding whether the fund is recurring, rolling, or how frequently funding cycles occur. Applicants are advised to submit proposals before the deadline and align their project goals closely with the fund’s outlined priorities to be considered for selection.