LGBT Fund Grants

The LGBT Fund Grant is a funding opportunity offered by The Erie Community Foundation. The foundation is a well-established philanthropic organization based in Erie, Pennsylvania, that supports a variety of community initiatives through grants and other funding mechanisms. The LGBT Fund Grant specifically focuses on projects that address the diverse and evolving needs of the LGBTQ+ community in Erie County. The fund aims to foster inclusivity, promote well-being, and support systemic change within the community by providing financial resources to impactful local projects. The purpose of the LGBT Fund Grant is to support initiatives that contribute to safe environments, address youth homelessness, promote mental health, combat substance abuse, and prevent suicide among LGBTQ+ individuals. It also seeks to advance housing and workplace equality, as well as foster family support and recognition for LGBTQ+ persons. The grant offers approximately $7,500 per project, with exact funding amounts announced on an annual basis. The scope of acceptable spending is broad, provided the project directly benefits the LGBTQ+ community and aligns with the fund’s stated objectives. Eligible applicants for the LGBT Fund Grant are limited to organizations classified as 501(c)(3) nonprofits located within Erie County, Pennsylvania. This geographic restriction ensures that the funding is used to directly impact the local community. Organizations outside this classification or geographic area are not eligible to apply unless partnering with an eligible fiscal sponsor that meets the criteria. The application process is designed to be straightforward and accessible. Interested organizations can apply through The Erie Community Foundation’s grants portal, known as GoApply. The application is publicly accessible, and there is no requirement for prior approval or pre-application meetings. This open approach encourages a wide range of eligible organizations to participate. While the grant information page includes a Frequently Asked Questions section, it does not specify additional application questions or detailed evaluation criteria beyond the alignment of the project with the fund’s stated priorities. The grant timeline and specific deadlines such as the opening and closing dates for applications are not provided in the publicly available materials. There is no mention of a pre-application deadline or any scheduled Q&A sessions. Applicants are encouraged to monitor The Erie Community Foundation’s website and the LGBT Fund’s page for updates on key dates. The fund operates on an annual cycle, with prior recipients including Compton’s Table’s True North Program in 2023 and a collaborative project between GEAE and Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life, which provided counseling support for LGBTQ+ teens. For additional information or inquiries, applicants can contact The Erie Community Foundation directly. The foundation is located at 459 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16507, and can be reached by phone at 814-454-0843. The website for the LGBT Fund also provides further details on past recipients and current funding priorities, offering valuable insights for prospective applicants considering submitting a proposal.