API LGBTQIA+ community

The Prism Foundation Community Grant is a funding opportunity that supports projects and nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives and visibility of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) LGBTQIA+ communities. Formerly known as the GAPA Foundation, the Prism Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Oakland, California. The Foundation prioritizes under-resourced and underrepresented organizations and grassroots initiatives, often volunteer-led, that make significant contributions to intersectional LGBTQIA+ causes across the United States. Its aim is to empower local communities through core operational support, resources, and capacity-building initiatives that reflect the lived experiences and diversity of the API LGBTQIA+ community. The Community Grant program typically provides funding ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per project for single-year initiatives. In 2025, the Foundation introduced a limited 2-year grant option with awards of up to $10,000. To be eligible for a 2-year grant, applicants must submit a rationale for the extended project timeline, detail more robust deliverables for the second year, and present a clear timeline of distinct activities for both years. Additionally, awardees must provide a report demonstrating milestones achieved at the end of the first year to qualify for continuation funding. Grantees are also expected to contribute to broader awareness efforts by supporting Prism Foundation’s mission through promotional collaboration. All applicants must be either a nonprofit organization with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status or use a fiscal sponsor with such status. Both past recipients and previous applicants are eligible to reapply during each grant cycle. Projects funded by this grant program have historically spanned a wide range of formats, such as ethnographic research, cultural events, training tools, and creative media that amplify the voices of API LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. To apply, applicants must complete an online form and submit an itemized budget. Applications must be submitted using a Google account due to the form’s attachment requirements. The deadline for the 2025 grant cycle is Monday, September 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. Late submissions will not be considered. Applicants may be contacted for additional evaluation, including follow-up interviews or questionnaires if necessary. All applicants will be notified of the final status of their applications by early Fall 2025. Selected recipients will receive funding directly under the name of their listed 501(c)(3) organization or their fiscal sponsor. As part of the recognition and accountability process, awardees will be asked to provide a video testimonial and may have elements of their application shared in Foundation publications. An award ceremony will be held during the Foundation’s Community Connections event in the Bay Area, with the date to be confirmed and included in the award contract. Applicants with further questions are encouraged to review the Foundation’s website for updates or contact the grants team directly at grants@theprismfoundation.org. Additional information about past grantees, the Foundation’s mission, and related programs such as scholarships and fellowships is available on the Foundation’s website.