2024-2025 Artists at the Center Grant in Washington

The NGLCC Community Impact Grant Program, supported by the Grubhub Community Fund, offers crucial financial assistance to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, bars serving food, and other eating establishments. This initiative aligns with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce's mission to promote economic growth and well-being within the LGBTQ+ business community. By providing grants, the program helps sustain and strengthen these businesses, contributing to the overall economic vitality of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and allies. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are LGBTQ+-owned and LGBTQ+ ally-owned restaurants, bars, and cafes that serve food. The program aims to provide a financial lifeline to these establishments, helping them navigate economic challenges and fostering their continued operation and success. The impact goal is to ensure the resilience and growth of these businesses, which often serve as vital community hubs and safe spaces. The program's priorities and focus are clear: supporting establishments that identify as LGBTQ+-owned or ally-owned, with a specific emphasis on those in the food service industry. Eligibility requirements include providing proof of LGBTQ+ or allied ownership and not having received two or more NGLCC Community Impact Grants in previous years. This ensures that the grants reach a diverse range of businesses in need and are distributed equitably. Expected outcomes include the sustained operation and potential growth of recipient businesses, increased financial stability, and enhanced capacity to serve their communities. Measurable results could include the number of businesses supported, the average grant amount disbursed, and qualitative feedback from recipients on how the funding has positively impacted their operations and local communities. The grants range from $5,000 to $25,000, providing substantial support to individual establishments. The foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in the belief that direct financial investment in LGBTQ+ and allied businesses creates a ripple effect of positive economic and social impact. By bolstering these enterprises, the program contributes to job creation, local economic development, and the overall empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community. This targeted approach ensures that resources are directed where they can have the most significant and immediate benefit, reinforcing the NGLCC's commitment to a thriving LGBTQ+ business ecosystem.