GAMMA MU FOUNDATION
2024-25 GRANT APPLICATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

 

VISION/MISSION: The Foundation’s mission and purpose is to create positive differences in the lives of the LGBT community. We focus primarily in rural [1]and other under-served populations of the United States. The Foundation envisions a society that promotes individual and overall LGBT community acceptance, inclusivity, health, and pride for all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or individuality.

 

The Foundation will not accept proposals for the following purposes:

  • capital campaigns
  • physical facilities
  • endowment or annual fund drives
  • political or lobbying activities
  • religious activities
  • payroll except for salaries directly related to the project for which funding is being provided

1.0 General

1 .1 Proposal Submission and Processing.  The Foundation accepts grants applications from January 2nd through March 31st each year for our annual grants cycle that runs from October 1st of the same year to September 30th of the following year.  The Grants Committee reviews proposals, requests additional information as needed, and may conduct site visits; the Grants Committee then makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.  The Board reviews committee recommendations and makes funding decisions in June of each year.  Applicants usually receive written notification of Board action in July.  Distribution of grant funds for successful applicants is normally made in August/September (50%) and the following March/April (the remaining 50%).

2.0 Grant Purposes

2.1 Goals.  The Foundation allocates resources in support of the following major goals:

  • ensuring the ongoing support of LGBTQ health[2] and social service organizations;
  • enhancing the community through support of projects identifying the Foundation as a source of support for the LGBTQ community;
  • increasing the grantee’s organizational capacity and resources to assure continued program viability after Foundation support terminates; and
  • giving priority consideration to proposals that provide services in rural and/or underserved communities.

2.2 Program Areas.  Grants are awarded in the following program areas:

  • HIV/AIDS Services.  These are services and programs benefiting individuals, caregivers, and families directly impacted by HIV/AIDS. It also includes HIV prevention and education programs.
  • Community Services.  These are services and programs that support LGBTQ sub-populations, e.g., youth, seniors, victims of domestic abuse, etc.
  • Research and Public Education.  These are services and programs aimed at helping to make the world a more hospitable place for people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

2.3 The Foundation’s objective is to award grants that are tied specifically to a new or ongoing project within the recipient organization.  The Foundation does not consider it a priority to provide awards for general operating funds regardless of the worthiness of the organization’s mission.

3.0 Proposed Evaluation Criteria

3.1 Proposals are evaluated against the following criteria:

  • relevance of the proposed project to the Foundation’s funding policies and priorities (e.g., services provided to the LGBTQ community in rural and/or underserved communities);
  • importance of the need identified in the proposal as well as past and/or ongoing attempts to meet the need;
  • the potential benefit of the project;
  • the capability of the applicant organization and its staff as well as the adequacy of the projected activities, budget, and timetable to achieve the desired results;
  • the evidence of appropriate cooperation with other organizations working in the same field;
  • the likelihood of future support from other sources; and
  • the quality of the applicant’s plan for evaluating the results of the project outcomes.

3.2 The Foundation will not award grants to organizations for more than three consecutive grants cycles.  In those instances when an organization has received grants for three consecutive cycles, it will be required to wait for one year prior to re-applying for funding.

4.0 Award Procedures and Conditions

4.1 General conditions.  In addition to any conditions and/or requirements associated with a particular grant, the following general conditions apply.  Grant recipients must:

  • submit any changes to the scope of the approved project in advance and in writing for approval by the Foundation;
  • return any funds not expended for the approved purpose by the end of the grant cycle;
  • treat grant funds as restricted to the activities described in the application and maintain account books. These records will show and separately account for funds received under the grant, and will be available to the Foundation for a minimum of four years following the completion of the project; and
  • submit an interim report by mid-April following receipt of the first grant payment (50%) and a final report by mid-November following completion of the grant period.

4.2 Memorandum of Understanding.  Following approval of a grant and prior to distribution of funds, the Foundation will require a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) indicating agreement with the above and other relevant conditions as spelled out in the MOU.

4.3 Evaluation.  Foundation representatives may make periodic site visits and may occasionally enlist the assistance of consultants to evaluate grant-funded projects.

5.0 Instructions for Proposal Preparation

5.1 General.  A completed online application is required no later than March 31.  No late applications will be accepted.

5.2 Information about the Project.  The following information must be included as an attachment to the online application. Please be as succinct and specific as possible:

  • explanation of the need for the project, including any relevant data or documentation;
  • comments on past or present attempts by the applicant organization and others to address the designated need;
  • description of the goals and objectives the project is designed to meet;
  • identification of specific outcomes the project is expected to achieve;
  • specific activities or methods identified to reach the goals described above, along with a timetable for their implementation;
  • if there is a parent organization, a statement by the Director that the proposed project has the organization’s full support;
  • names and qualifications of the individuals involved in implementing the project, as well as the approximate amount of time each person will devote to project activities during each month of the project;
  • the evaluation plan for the project, including a description of activities, timetable, and the names of those responsible for carrying out the activities and achieving results; and
  • names and affiliations of the members of the Board of Directors or other governing body.

5.3 Information about the Project/Organization Finances.  Provide the reviewers with a succinct statement of the project budget and of the organization’s overall budget.  The following information must be included as an attachment in the online application:

  • the proposed project budget indicating all major program expenditures and how these expenditures are estimated. If the project budget includes funds other than those requested in the proposal (committed or pending), include the amount, source, and schedule for that funding along with a description and the implications of the shortfalls that will occur without the funding requested from the Foundation;
  • an overview of the organization’s annual budget including all sources of funds and earned income. Also, include dates encompassing the organization’s fiscal year;
  • an explanation of how the project will be financed when funds requested herein are fully expended; and
  • an explanation of why the organization cannot assume project costs using its own resources.

6.0 Submission

6.1 The Gamma Mu Foundation only accepts grants and scholarships applications online.  Your completed online proposal containing attachments described in paragraph 5.2 and 5.3 above must be received no later than March 31.  No late applications will be accepted.

6.2 Any questions or concerns may be sent to the Gamma Mu Foundation's Grants Director at "grants@gammmufoundation.org". You may also call our toll-free number, 1-866-463-6007.

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[1] The Gamma Mu Foundation has traditionally used the USDA definition to define “rural”:  open countryside; rural towns with populations of 2,500 or less; or communities of 2,501-49,999 not considered to be part of a major labor pool.

[2] PRIORITY FOCUS AREA FOR 2024-25 GRANT YEAR:  HIV/STD education, prevention, and treatment for the LGBTQ community.  Applications with other areas of focus will be considered after those with the priority focus are evaluated.