Our Programs - Grants - FAQ
What types of proposals are more likely to be funded by the Pride Foundation?
Pride Foundation's mission is to connect, inspire and strengthen the Pacific Northwest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. As long as a proposal has this as its goal, there is a possibility of funding. The Board lets the volunteer review committee decide which proposals to fund from the application pool.
Pride Foundation maintains a commitment to funding:
- In a wide range of programmatic areas including education, advocacy, and outreach; HIV/AIDS education and support; arts and recreation; youth and family services; lesbian health; and other health and community services.
- A balance of projects among those that serve women, men, and all inclusively.
- In diverse geographic areas in the Northwest states, both urban and rural, with an emphasis on Washington State.
Because of the depth of GLBT focused applications to the Northwest Grants application cycles, it is rare for allied organizations to be funded without a strong GLBT focus to their project. Allied organizations without a project with a strong GLBT focus are more successful in applying to a regional application cycle since the competition from GLBT organizations can be less intense.
Can individuals apply for grants?
Grants to individuals cannot be considered. Check with the Foundation Grants to Individuals online publication: http://gtionline.fdncenter.org/learnmore/.
However, if you are investigating ‘grants’ for postsecondary education, you should review the guidelines for Pride’s Scholarship Program.
We have submitted an application to establish 501(c)3 non-profit status. Can we apply for a grant or do we need to obtain a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor?
Approval of the application for 501(c)3 status often takes months longer than an organization expects it will take. Rather than make an award pending 501(c)3 approval, and possibly forcing an organization to scramble at the last minute to find a fiscal sponsor, the review committee will not be given applications from organizations without either 501(c)3 status or a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor.
Can an organization outside of Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Oregon apply for grants from Pride?
Yes, applications are accepted for all cycles, as long as the funds will be targeted for GLBT projects or benefits in this region. However, with the strong application pool from organizations based in our region, it is rare for a non-Pacific Northwest based organization to be funded.
How many letters of recommendation can I we include with the application?
Do not send letters of reference or support unless it spells out a formal collaborative effort on the part of another organization. Every organization can get letters that tell how wonderful the applicant is and how important the project is for the community. They just cancel each other out.
What tips do you have for the applicant?
- Follow the instruction guidelines and use the attachments checklist. Compared to most grant applications, this one is simple. Don’t send 8 pages when we ask for 4. Don’t include only expenses on budgets when we ask for revenue and expenses.
- Remember, the volunteer committee in the Northwest Grants cycles often read close to 50 applications. Information has to pop out at them. If you are telling us what you will do with the funds, don’t spend a page on the history of the organization and your hopes for the future before telling us what you will do with the funds. Tell us up front what you want to be funded for and then, if necessary, go back and fill in the details.
- Maintain the narrative format as it is asked in the application. Grant writing tips often suggest you do something to stand out from the other applications in the stack. Be careful with this approach. It may backfire in our system. If you change the order, or aren’t clear about which question you are answering, it may confuse committee members.
If my organization isn’t funded can I get feedback on what went wrong?
Yes, just follow the guidelines in the 'sorry' letter.
