The Fortitude Fund is a rolling grant initiative launched by the Pride Foundation to support LGBTQ+ organizations responding to the increasingly hostile socio-political environment across the United States, with a particular focus on the Northwestern states. This fund builds on Pride Foundation’s legacy of rapid-response funding models and is designed to meet urgent and exacerbated needs, especially for LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) communities.
Grant awards range from $10,000 to $50,000 and are intended for general operating support, allowing recipients flexibility in how funds are used to address urgent community needs. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds are disbursed. The fund does not provide emergency, immediate-turnaround support or resources for unrelated general activities. Applicants are encouraged to apply for the amount that best fits their situation.
To be eligible, organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or fiscally sponsored by one, and must operate in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington. Priority is given to BIPOC- and TGNC-led organizations, especially those offering innovative solutions, working in underserved communities, or lacking access to traditional funding streams.
Priority funding areas include: movement building by Black and Indigenous groups, TGNC support services, community safety and security, mutual aid programs, immigration support, housing assistance, and health and wellness initiatives (including reproductive care and HIV/AIDS support). All funded projects must relate directly to addressing challenges arising from the current political and cultural climate.
The application can be submitted online, and support is available for applicants requiring alternate submission methods. Review dates occur periodically, with deadlines such as May 6, 2025, followed by a pause in applications until reopening on June 10. Funds are typically distributed within one month of the review date.
Applicants can preview the full application and evaluation rubric via a downloadable PDF before applying. Multiple applications may be allowed in a year if unforeseen needs arise. For assistance, organizations can contact Kaleigh at kaleigh@pridefoundation.org. Pride Foundation is located at 2014 E. Madison St, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98122.
