LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for grants from the OUT Georgia Impact Fund, powered by United Way of Greater Atlanta. Applications are open May 1, 2024
We recognize the critical position LGBTQ+ nonprofits hold in elevating and addressing the multifaceted needs within our growing and diverse community. The goal of the grants from the impact fund is to move in lockstep with those needs and make a meaningful difference in the lives and livelihoods of LGBTQ+ people, families, and organizations focused on the Greater Atlanta region.
“United Way of Greater Atlanta’s mission to improve the lives of the children in Greater Atlanta extends to individuals and families among specific populations. Our vision is that Greater Atlanta is a community where all individuals and families thrive regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.” – Milton J. Little, Jr., President and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta
Grant Applicant Eligibility
OUT Georgia Impact Fund applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to be considered for grant awards:
- Active Georgia Nonprofit Corporation status;
- Active tax-exempt status under IRS section 501(c)(3)
- Annual operating budget under $2 million; and
- Demonstrate excellence, intentionality, consistency, and effectiveness delivering programs or services directly impacting LGBTQIA+ Georgians.
Grant Applicant Guidance
STRONG applicants will demonstrate excellence, intentionality, consistency, and effectiveness delivering programs or services directly impacting LGBTQIA+ Georgians with intersectional and/or underrepresented identities, which may include:
- Historically underrepresented and disenfranchised communities (e.g. Black, Indigenous, AAPI, Latinx, disability, Transgender, etc.)
- Individuals or communities impacted by socioeconomic and cultural barriers (e.g. poor and rural communities, HIV/AIDS-related stigma, etc.)
- Individuals or communities impacted by systems of oppression (e.g. justice, prison, policing, housing, access to healthcare, etc.).
PRIORITY applicants will demonstrate the above across multiple Investment Priorities.
Impact Fund Investment Priorities
- Urgent Needs: Support LGBTQIA+ adults and families to address urgent needs and secure resources in an accessible and equitable environment.
Strong Applicant: Strong applicants will showcase comprehensive and responsive approaches to tackling urgent challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and families, including homelessness, food insecurity, healthcare access, and financial instability.
Priority will be given to initiatives that prioritize marginalized LGBTQ+ communities, particularly those experiencing intersecting forms of oppression, and actively work to dismantle systemic barriers to access and support. - Economic Stability: Help LGBTQIA+ families and individuals build prosperity through housing stability, food security, health and technology equity, financial education, and career pathways.
Strong Applicant: Strong applicants will present comprehensive and innovative approaches to supporting LGBTQIA+ families and individuals in building prosperity. This may include programs and services focused on providing stable housing solutions, ensuring access to nutritious food, addressing healthcare disparities, promoting technology equity, offering financial literacy education, and facilitating career development opportunities.
Priority will be given to initiatives that prioritize the most vulnerable LGBTQIA+ individuals and families, particularly those facing systemic barriers to economic stability, and actively work towards dismantling these barriers. - College and Career Readiness: Support LGBTQIA+ youth in tapping into their potential by improving college and career readiness, with a focus on academic support, career pathways, college planning, and securing housing and basic needs.
Strong Applicant: Strong applicants will present comprehensive and tailored approaches to assisting LGBTQIA+ youth in navigating the challenges of college and career readiness. This may include programs and services focused on providing academic tutoring and mentorship, facilitating career exploration and skill-building opportunities, offering guidance on college preparation and application processes, and addressing the housing and basic needs of LGBTQIA+ youth to ensure stability and security.
Priority will be given to initiatives that prioritize LGBTQIA+ youth from underserved communities and those facing systemic barriers to college and career readiness, and actively work towards dismantling these barriers. - Small Business Support: Support and develop LGBTQIA+ owned small businesses or entrepreneurs, or incorporate these underrepresented businesses into how delivering organization’s mission, programs, or services.
Strong Applicant: Strong applicants will present innovative strategies for supporting LGBTQIA+ owned small businesses or entrepreneurs in delivering the organization’s mission. This may include providing financial assistance, mentorship programs, access to resources and networks, and opportunities for collaboration and integration into organizational activities.
Priority will be given to initiatives that prioritize LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities and actively work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the small business sector. - Advocacy & Awareness: Build awareness of inequities and promote advocacy within the LGBTQIA+ community. Educate stakeholders on systemic injustices and foster a more equity-centered approach to empower and engage community members.
Strong Applicant: Strong applicants will present innovative and impactful approaches to advocacy and awareness-building within the LGBTQIA+ community. This may include organizing educational events, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness of systemic inequities, providing advocacy training and resources to community members, and leveraging digital platforms and social media to amplify marginalized voices and advocate for change.
Priority will be given to initiatives that prioritize intersectional approaches to advocacy, center the voices and experiences of marginalized LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities, and actively work towards dismantling systemic barriers to equity and justice. - Culture of Justice, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging: Center and/or explicitly incorporate underrepresented identities into the organization’s mission, programming, communications, policies, leadership, and operations. Foster a culture of justice, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the organization and among the greater LGBTQIA+ community.
Strong Applicant: Strong applicants will present comprehensive and intentional approaches to creating a culture of justice, equity, inclusion, and belonging within their organization and the broader LGBTQIA+ community. This may include developing diversity and inclusion initiatives, implementing anti-oppression training and policies, fostering partnerships with underrepresented communities, and elevating the voices and leadership of marginalized LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Priority will be given to initiatives that prioritize intersectional approaches to justice and equity, actively work to dismantle systemic barriers to inclusion and belonging, and empower underrepresented LGBTQIA+ individuals to thrive within the community.
