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 2011 General Cycle grantees CLICK HERE.
General Grant Cycle
Our granting categories include:
• Collaborative Partnerships
• Youth
• The Arts: Tools for Social Change
• Human Rights
• Housing for People with HIV or AIDS
• Board Designated Annual Focus Grant: Transgender Equality
Equity Foundation’s Board of Directors will annually approve funding and designate a focus area for this grant category. Organizations applying in this category are required to have an income of less than $150,000 during their most recent fiscal year. The Board’s designated focus area for 2012 is Transgender Equality. Only one award in this category will be made in 2012. The grant award will be at least $5,000.
The General Grant Cycle deadline for 2012 is Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Download the application here: 2012 General Cycle Grant Application
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.
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 Current Equity Foundation General Cycle Grantees:
Download our Grant Report Form in Word by clicking this link: Grant Report Form 2011
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
