AFFA Small Grants Program

The AFFA Small Grants Program funds programming, organization building and/or support to nonprofit organizations addressing the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.

Application Deadlines:
January 31st, March 31st and August 31st

Eligibility​

Grants will be considered for organizations that are:

  • Based in South Carolina, North Carolina or Georgia
  • Nonprofit and exempt from federal taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or utilizing a fiscal sponsor.
  • Nondiscriminatory by policy.
  • Applying an intersectional lens to work centered on social justice.
  • Working for fundamental social change and demonstrating practical alternatives to social justice for LGBTQ+ youth.
Grant Making Program​

Grants are available to grassroots, local and state organizations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia which are designated as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and which work to improve the quality of life among LGBTQ+ youth.​

Organizations which have not yet received their 501(c)(3) IRS status, must include proof of a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Grant priority will be given to groups working for long‐term social change, and emotional health among LGBTQ+ individuals.​

Recent examples of requests include:

  • Supporting the programs of Gender & Sexualities Alliances working to increase Transgender inclusion on campus
  • Travel money for students to attend LGBTQ+ training events such as “Campus Pride”or to send a group of LGBTQ+ students to an Outward Bound Program. Please contact the AFFA office for information on scholarships for Creating Change.
  • Bringing in speakers for campus wide events, e.g. one campus is inviting an “out” professional sports figure, the LGBTQ+ group then collaborated with the Athletics Department to engage campus athletes to participate.
  • Developing a community awareness workshop on LGBTQ+ youth and domestic violence issues.
  • Purchasing needed books or materials for LGBTQ+ resource center on campus
  • Collaborative projects with other nonprofits, e.g. a youth organization and a local film society developing LGBTQ+ youth-themed film curriculum for the community
  • Funding a series of social interactions for a network of GSAs, e.g. a gay prom.
Grant Size​

Organizations are eligible for grants from $500 to a maximum of $4,000 per year from the AFFA Small Grants Program. Funding in subsequent years is conditional on compliance with reporting requirements, continued progress toward meeting stated goals and objectives, and demonstrated impact of activities.​​

Criteria​

The following will be considered in evaluating the organizations submitting proposals:

  • Youth Involvement: Groups who include youth in the organizing and governance of the organization and project.
  • Impact: Organizations with a proven record of impact. New organizations must show they have the requisite plans and people in place to make impact.
  • Planning: Organizations with well-developed strategies and goals, and with realistic plans for accomplishing them.
  • Measurement: Groups who demonstrate the ability to measure goals and outcomes.
  • Systems Level: Organizations demonstrating that they are working toward change at the systems level will be given priority; meaning, organizations working to affect attitudes and behavior at the community, political, cultural or policy level.
  • Fundraising: Groups who demonstrate funding from a wide number of sources when possible, and which include fundraising by youth.
  • Fiscal Responsibility: Organizations which demonstrate the ability to make and adhere to budgets, use financial resources wisely, and garner in‐kind resources.
  • Collaboration: Groups who collaborate with allies
  • Leadership Training: Organizations which develop leadership skill sets in LGBTQ+ youth.
  • Emotional Health: Organizations who recognize and respond to building emotional health and self‐esteem in LGBTQ+ youth.
Grant Requirements
  • A brief progress report is due six months after receipt of the grant indicating the use of the grant funds and the outcomes to date.
  • A final report on the project must be submitted one year from the receipt of the grant or upon completion of the project or program for which the grant was made, or funds have been fully utilized and include the following:
    • How the grant fulfilled its original intent and purposes;
    • What outcomes were measured and the results of those measures;
    • Geographic area and demographics of those served; include statistics on age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity of those who participate in the grant project/benefit from the grant project;
    • Project approach to intersectionality and social justice.
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The AFFA Small Grants Program is graciously funded by the Freeman Foundation.