#QueerTheVote Fund
Building political power for the LGBTQ community is vitally important as we work to overturn laws that target our community. That’s why for each election cycle, we award #QueerTheVote grants of up to $500 to support grassroots efforts to get folks registered to vote and to the polls.
The 2019 #QueerTheVote grant cycle will run May-August 23. You can request funding as an individual or a group and 501c(3) status is not required to receive a grant.
Once you submit your funding request, you will receive notification from the grants committee within one month with a decision. If your request for funding is approved, payment will be sent within 10 business from when we receive your required documentation.
Registration and turnout efforts funded through #QueertheVote must be in compliance with the IRS guidelines for 501(c)3 organizations, meaning groups that receive grants may NOT directly or indirectly tell people how to vote or for whom to vote, or coordinate with candidates for office or political parties. Click here to learn more about permissable election activities for 501(c)3 public charities.
Criteria to request funding:
These are required in order to receive funding:
- Must live and work in the South promoting equality, safety, and/or visibility of LGBTQ people.
- Southern Equality Fund grants are intended to support grassroots and new work with annual budgets of less than $50,000; however, if your group’s budget is more than $50,000, please go ahead and request funding, explaining why your work is a fit in the application.
- You may not request additional funding if you have already received $1,000 from the Southern Equality Fund in the past six months. This restriction does not apply to Rapid Response rounds.
- Although groups are not required to be a 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor in order to receive funding, we do require that all groups adhere to 501(c)(3) requirements for funded work.
What we prioritize:
These are not required, but guide our funding decisions:
- Groups or individuals that face barriers to funding their work.
- Work by and for underserved and marginalized communities.
- Leadership demonstrates commitment to racial, economic and gender justice.
- Work that centers the voices and leadership of Trans and GNC (Gender Non-Conforming) individuals and people of color within the LGBTQ community.
- Projects that respond to immediate and urgent community needs.
- Projects that work toward long-term change.