Astraea Lesbian Foundation For JusticeClick here to access Astraea's current grant applications and deadlines.
U.S. Panel Grants are grants issued to U.S.-based lesbian, trans and LGBTI social change organizations and projects, including cultural and film/video projects. U.S. Panel Grants are determined by a diverse and committed activist Community Funding Panel.
In 2005-06, Astraea initiated a new multi-year grantmaking program in the U.S. Grants are made to organizations that demonstrate significant movement, leadership and creative community organizing strategies for social change within and beyond LGBTI communities.
Astraea's Emergency Fund is a rapid-response grantmaking mechanism, providing timely support for organizations to address urgent and strategic political opportunities and crises affecting LGBTI communities.
Astraea’s Movement Resource Fund provides grants to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of LGBTI organizations to engage in movement building work. Grants are generally provided in three areas: Technical Assistance, Travel/Peer-to-Peer Learning, and Historic Convenings. Grantees of Astraea’s U.S. Panel and Movement Building funds are prioritized for Movement Resource Fund grants.
U.S. Collaborative Grants are issued to organizations with whom we work in partnership.
U.S. Philanthropic Grants are issued to philanthropic entities with whom we work in partnership.
The Astraea Visual Arts Fund was founded in 2002 to promote the work of contemporary lesbian visual artists who show artistic merit and share Astraea's commitment to LGBTI visibility and social justice. Each year, three grants of $2,500 are awarded to artists working in an array of media including sculpture, painting, prints, mixed media and works on paper. Two grants are supported by an endowed gift from founding mother and artist Joan Watts. A third grant to an artist west of the Mississippi is made possible by Skip's Sappho Fund, established at Astraea by a bequest from Skip Neal, a lesbian artist who enjoyed a successful career in museum exhibition.The awards are determined by a distinguished panel of artists and art professionals.
Launched in 1991, the Lesbian Writer's Fund has awarded nearly a half-million dollars to emerging lesbian poets and fiction writers across the U.S. Too often, lesbian writing is marginalized by literary venues and funding sources, resulting in exceptionally talented artists unable to receive the nurturing and support so vital to their craft. The Lesbian Writers Fund is attempting to remedy this - and with good results. A former grantee used her award to purchase a computer, and no longer had to write by hand; and another attracted the attention of a prominent agent who facilitated the publication of her first novel.
The Lynn Campbell Memorial Fund was established at Astraea to honor Lynn's leadership and activism in the women's, labor and LGBTI political movements. Each year, a grant that reflects Lynn's activism and commitment to social justice is designated by Astraea's U.S. Fund Panel.
The Margot Karle Scholarship Fund was established to honor the life of Margot, who as a lesbian attorney and the Director of New York's Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, made significant contributions to the struggle for human rights. The Margot Karle Scholarship is available to full-time, female undergraduate students attending a City University of New York (CUNY) school.
Astraea's Donor-Advised Fund program enables donors to establish a fund at Astraea through which they may recommend specific organizations or projects for support. Astraea staff also work with donors to identify organizations in need of support whose work matches the interests of the donor.
