Since 1989, Equity Foundation has been changing the lives of individuals across the state. By granting money to organizations that respect and protect diversity, we ensure that all have a place to be represented. Historically, Equity Foundation makes grants to:
* Organizations that incorporate understanding of sexual and gender minorities and people of the broader community that promote healthy human interactions.
* Sexual and gender minority organizations and others similarly isolated from traditional funding sources.
* Organizations for which Equity’s grant promotes the value of diversity and acceptance.
To see a list of our 2012 General Cycle grantees CLICK HERE.
General Grant Cycle
The General Grant Cycle deadline for 2013 is Monday, April 8, 2013 at 5:00 PM. The average grant is $1,500. Please review both the categories and the eligibility requirements below before applying. If you qualify, then you can submit an online application by following this link: Fill out my form! Because of system issues, applicants may want to copy and paste their information into the online form. Click here for a Word copy of the application. This will allow applicants to copy and paste their answer into the online submission form.
*NOTE: The online system continues to have issues with accepting attachments. If this is happening to you, please email the attachments to joeyk@equityfoundation.org.
General Eligibility Requirements:
- Eligible organizations must either have a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax status or be an accredited non-profit educational institution. Start-up organizations may also be eligible if they are affiliated with an organization that has a 501(c)(3) tax status that will assume responsibility for administering all funds received and expended.
- To be eligible for funding, projects or programs must be directly relevant to Equity Foundation’s mission of building communities that embrace the dignity and worth of all people.
- Organizations or projects must operate within Oregon and/or benefit Oregonians. Organizations from Southwest Washington serving residents of the Portland metropolitan area are eligible to apply. Because Vancouver and surrounding area is considered part of the Portland metropolitan area, organizations can be located in Southwest Washington and benefiting Southwest Washington—organizations need not serve the city of Portland.
- Funding for Pride Events are funded through sponsorship requests rather than through this granting cycle.
Projects NOT Eligible:
Equity Foundation will not approve grants to individuals or for the following purposes: endowment funds; capital campaigns; physical plants; annual fund drives; political organizations or campaigns.
Granting Categories and Definitions:
1. Collaborative Partnerships: Social movements are successful when marginalized groups are united. Equity Foundation understands that successful social movements must be collaborative. Applicants in this category must work collaboratively with other groups and nonprofit organizations to promote the dignity and worth of all people. Examples include: LGBT organizations working with racial minority organizations; organizations promoting transgender health by collaborating with a health provider; LGBT organizations working with individuals with developmental disabilities; and LGBT organizations working with other LGBT organizations.
2. Youth: Youth are both the future of our movement as well as a focus of today’s struggle. Many pushing for human rights do so to improve the world for future generations. Likewise, youth will continue the struggle into the future. Applicants of this category are encouraged to advocate for the rights of LGBT and other minority youth in schools, families, and/or communities. Applicants are also encouraged to find creative methods to empower youth to develop leadership qualities.
3. The Arts: Tools for Social Change: The arts both enrich our culture and can help shape our society. Applicants in this category are encouraged to find creative methods to use the arts as a way to promote the dignity and worth of all people and foster social change.
4. Human Rights: All individuals have the right to equality, justice, education, health care, food and shelter. This category will be awarded to groups working to advance the human rights of gender and sexual minorities and other marginalized groups. Projects designed to address inequality and injustice, education and advocacy, leadership development, and capacity building initiatives are included in this category. Equity Foundation will also fund projects that help people live independently and with respect and dignity. As part of Equity Foundation’s commitment to human rights, we encourage proposals working at the intersection of issues, such as projects focused on health access for people who are transgender, inclusive housing projects, and other programs targeted to improving quality of life.
5. Housing for People with HIV or AIDS: The Paul D. Higgins Housing Fund was created through the estate of Paul D. Higgins, in 2004. Equity Foundation will periodically award grants through this Fund, to support housing for people with HIV or AIDS and for supportive services designed to help people with HIV or AIDS maintain their housing and live as independently as possible.
For Current Equity Foundation General Cycle Grantees: Download our Grant Report Form in Word by clicking this link: Grant Report Form
Funding Decisions:
Equity Foundation is a community foundation, which means we depend on the community to both donate to us and to help drive our granting. Equity Foundation has regional granting committees consisting of local volunteers from all over the state that review General Cycle Grant applications from their local region and recommend who to fund to the Equity Foundation Board of Directors. Regional granting committees exist in the following regions Portland Metro/Statewide, Central Oregon, Lane County, Corvallis/Albany, Salem, and Southern Oregon. The Portland 100 Fund is similarly run with a committee of donors voting on whom to fund and making the recommendation to the Equity Foundation Board of Directors.
What happens to grant applicants after the General Grant Cycle?
Click the following link to read about our community driven process: Granting Process.
For paper copies of applications or more information, contact Joey Kerns, our Programs Director at 503.231.5759 x 521 or send an e-mail to joeyk@equityfoundation.org.
Topics On This Page: Oregon Gay Lesbian Grants | Portland Oregon Glbt Groups | Oregon Student Grants | Oregon Coast Scholarships
