Applications can be accessed here.

ABOUT THE FUNDING QUEERLY GIVING CIRCLE

The Funding Queerly Giving Circle is a collective giving effort of a group of donors under 40 that was launched at Resource Generation’s Making Money Make Change in 2012. Funding Queerly is partnering with the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice to mobilize financial resources for organizing work by and for marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities in the United States. This is the third year of the Giving Circle.

We know there is not enough funding for small LGBTQI groups working to organize their communities, build their leadership and power, and address root causes of injustice. We know there are even deeper funding gaps for groups that are led by and for communities of color and indigenous, low-income and rural communities. Communities most affected by injustices are best positioned to make social change, despite having the least access to mainstream funding resources. We work to recognize and encourage grassroots leadership from the most affected. Please review the criteria below for more detail about the kinds of groups we aim to fund. If you have questions about whether your group is eligible, please reach out to Astraea at FundingQueerly@astraeafoundation.org.

ABOUT ASTRAEA

Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works for social, racial and economic justice in the U.S. and internationally. Our grantmaking and philanthropic advocacy programs help lesbians, transgender people and allied communities challenge oppression and claim their human rights.

Our mission is based on an enduring commitment to feminism, progressive social change, and an end to all forms of exploitation and discrimination. Founded in 1977 by a small group of women to address the lack of funding for women (especially lesbians and women of color), Astraea is now a global foundation providing critical support for LGBTQI organizations and projects throughout the U.S. and around the world.

Grants are for up to $10,000. Grants are for General Operating Support.

FUNDING QUEERLY CRITERIA, PRIORITIES & EXCLUSIONS

PRIMARY CRITERIA

All applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be reviewed for funding:

• Primary work aims to make systemic change: The organization seeks to eliminate oppression of LGBTQI people by addressing the root causes of injustice and making systemic change for LGBTQI communities.
• Primary strategy is community organizing: The organization’s work builds the power and leadership of its constituents, aims to affect root causes of oppression or marginalization, and is directed at impacting policies, practices, and/or cultural norms affecting community members.
• Active participation and leadership of constituency impacted: The organization’s leadership (board, coordinating collectives, and/or staff), decision-making structures, and programmatic development, implementation and evaluation directly involve the communities most affected by issues that the organization seeks to address. Funding Queerly specifically prioritizes black-led organizing.
• Commitment to social, racial, economic and gender justice for LGBTQI people: The larger community served by the organiza