Gay Community Endowment Fund seeks grant proposals for programs benefiting LGBTQ+ community
The Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for programs that support the local LGBTQ+ community.
Nonprofits may apply for either an impact grant or a micro grant, with impact grants starting at $10,000 and micro grants ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Strong preference will be given to impact grant proposals that create safer environments for LGBTQ+ youth, combat phobias of the LGBTQ+ community, and support mental health and suicide prevention programs for LGBTQ+ people.
In addition to these areas of focus, micro grant proposals will also be accepted for a wider range of programs that benefit the LGBTQ+ community, including the arts, community events and nonprofit operational needs.
In 2023, the Gay Community Endowment Fund awarded 15 grants totaling more than $70,000 to local nonprofit organizations, bringing its cumulative grantmaking to more than $750,000 since it was established in 2001.
The fund's most recent grant cycle included more than $40,000 in impact grants, including a $10,000 grant to the Battered Women's Shelter to increase its outreach to LGBTQ+ people who have experienced domestic or sexual violence. Other recent grants have helped LGBTQ+ job seekers find meaningful employment, promoted free wellness services for LGBTQ+ people impacted by cancer, and provided expanded learning opportunities for students at the University of Akron and Kent State University. View a full list of grant recipients at akroncf.org/GCEFgrants.
Qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations should apply for a grant online by Dec. 15 at akroncf.org/ApplyGCEF. Nonprofits may be asked to schedule a site visit or interview with the committee during the grant review process. Grant decisions will be announced in March 2024.
Questions about the application process should be directed to John Garofalo, vice president of community investment, at 330-436-5624 or jgarofalo@akroncf.org.
About the Gay Community Endowment Fund
Founded in 2001, the Gay Community Endowment Fund is a permanent philanthropic endowment of Akron Community Foundation. The fund advances a lived equality for all LGBTQ+ people in Greater Akron by investing in strategic and responsive grantmaking that empowers the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Since its inception, the fund has grown to more than $2 million while reinvesting more than $750,000 into the community. Contributions of any amount are welcome and support future grantmaking. Checks should be sent to Akron Community Foundation, 345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307, with Gay Community Endowment Fund in the memo line. Donations may also be designated for the GCEF Scholarship Fund. For more information, or to contribute, call 330-376-8522 or visit gaycommunityfund.org.
About Akron Community Foundation
For 68 years, Akron Community Foundation has been our community's champion and generator of enduring philanthropy. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the community foundation. It is a philanthropic endowment of nearly $278 million with a growing family of more than 830 funds established by charitable people and organizations from all walks of life. The community foundation and its funds welcome gifts of all kinds, including cash, bequests, stock, real estate, life insurance and retirement assets, just to name a few. To date, the community foundation's funds have awarded nearly $227 million in grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. For more information about Akron Community Foundation or to learn more about creating your own charitable fund, call 330-376-8522 or visit akroncf.org.