Grants

The Gamma Mu Foundation is dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ communities by supporting organizations and initiatives that drive meaningful change. Our grantmaking focuses on the following goals:

Our Goals:

• Enhancing Community Impact – We back projects that strengthen communities and highlight the Foundation as a committed supporter of LGBTQ+ initiatives.
• Building Organizational Capacity – We help grantees expand their capacity and resources, ensuring their programs remain viable beyond the duration of our support.
• Prioritizing Underserved Communities – We prioritize proposals that serve rural and underserved LGBTQ+ populations, addressing gaps in services and fostering inclusivity.
• Fostering Leadership – We invest in initiatives that cultivate strong leadership within LGBTQ+ organizations and progams, with a focus on applications where LGBTQ+ individuals are leading projects that drive sustainable change and promote equality.

Program Areas:

Grants are awarded in three key areas that reflect the diverse needs of the LGBTQ+ community:

• Community Support Services - Activities proposed to meet the needs of rural communities and underserved LGBTQ+ populations.
• Public Education and Research - Initiatives designed to increase awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. 
• HIV and Health Programs - Interventions designed to meet the needs of persons, caregivers, and families impacted by HIV and other health conditions. 

The Foundation focuses on funding new or ongoing projects within recipient organizations. While we recognize the value of organizational missions, priority is given to project-specific initiatives rather than general operating funds.

Proposals are carefully evaluated based on the following criteria:  

• Alignment with Foundation Priorities – The project’s relevance to the Foundation’s funding policies, with a focus on services for LGBTQ+ communities in rural and underserved areas.  
• Identified Need – The significance of the need addressed by the proposal, including previous or ongoing efforts to meet this need.  
• Potential Impact – The anticipated benefits and positive outcomes of the project.  
• Organizational Capacity – The ability of the applicant organization and its staff to execute the project, supported by a clear, feasible budget, timeline, and activity plan.  
• Collaboration – Evidence of coordination and cooperation with other organizations working in the same field.  
• Sustainability – The likelihood of securing future funding from other sources to continue the project.  
• Evaluation Plan – A well-developed plan for measuring and assessing project outcomes and success.  

Funding Limitations:

The Foundation will not award grants to the same organization for more than three (3) consecutive grant cycles. Organizations that receive funding for three consecutive cycles must wait one (1) year before reapplying.  

This process ensures that grants are distributed effectively, encouraging sustainability and the growth of new initiatives within the LGBTQ+ community.

General Conditions

In addition to any specific requirements tied to individual grants, the following general conditions apply to all recipients:

• Project Scope Changes – Any changes to the approved project scope must be submitted in writing and approved by the Foundation in advance.
• Unused Funds – Recipients must return any unspent funds not used for the approved purpose by the end of the grant cycle.
• Restricted Use of Funds – Grant funds must be used exclusively for the activities outlined in the application. Recipients are required to maintain accurate financial records that separately account for grant funds. These records must be available for review by the Foundation for at least four years after project completion.
• Reporting Requirements – An interim report is due by mid-April after receiving the initial 50% grant payment. A final report must be submitted by mid-November after the grant period concludes.
• Recognition and Branding – We encourage grant recipients to acknowledge the Gamma Mu Foundation’s support in project-related social media posts, materials, events, and publications.  Contact the Gamma Mu Foundation if you have questions.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Before funds are distributed, grant recipients must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which formalizes their agreement to comply with these and any additional grant-specific conditions.

Evaluation

The Foundation may conduct periodic site visits and engage consultants to assess the progress and outcomes of grant-funded projects, ensuring alignment with project goals and effective use of funds.

General Requirements:

A completed online application must be submitted no later than March 31. Late applications will not be accepted.

Project Information:

Attach the following details to your online application. Please be clear, concise, and specific:

• Project Need: Explain the need for the project, supported by relevant data or documentation.
• Previous Efforts: Describe your organization's or others' past or ongoing efforts to address this need.
• Goals and Objectives: Outline the project's intended goals and objectives.
• Expected Outcomes: Identify the specific results the project aims to achieve.
• Activities and Timelines: List the activities or methods planned to reach the goals and an implementation timeline.
• Organizational Support: If applicable, include a statement from the Director confirming the parent organization's full support for the project.
• Personnel: Provide the names, qualifications, and time commitments of individuals involved in the project's implementation. Leadership or project managers are strongly recommended to be from the LGBTQ+ community. 
• Monitoring & Evaluation Plan: Detail the evaluation methods to track progress and measure success, including activities, timelines, and responsible individuals. 
• Board and Governance: List the names and affiliations of Board members or the project's governing body.

Financial Information (Project/Organization):

Include a brief overview of the project's budget and the organization's overall financials. Attach the following:

• Project Budget:  Please attach your Project Proposal, ensuring it includes a clearly defined project budget.  If other funding (committed or pending) is part of the project, provide an itemized list of all pending and approved funding sources, specify the amount, source, and timeline. Address any funding gaps and their implications if the requested funds are not secured.
• Organizational Budget: Provide an overview of the organization's annual budget, listing all income sources. Include fiscal year dates.
• Audited Financial Statement: Please provide your most recent audited financial statement. If an audited statement is not available, kindly submit your organization's current year budget along with the most recent IRS Form 990.
• Future Financing: Explain how the project will be financed once the requested funds are fully spent.
• Funding Justification: Clarify why the organization cannot cover project costs using its own resources.

The Gamma Mu Foundation accepts grant applications exclusively online. All completed proposals must be submitted by March 31. Applications received after this date will not be considered.  

For any questions or concerns, please contact the Gamma Mu Foundation's Grants Committee Chair at grants@gammamufoundation.org