LGBT+ Giving Circle

Purpose

The LGBT+ Giving Circle, an initiative of Rochester Area Community Foundation, is a philanthropic and educational effort led by LGBTQ+ and allied community leaders who share a commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals across the Greater Rochester area. The ultimate goal of its grantmaking cycle is to strategically invest in initiatives that create safer, more inclusive communities where LGBTQ+ people can thrive.

Click here to learn more about the Giving Circle.

Typical Grant Size

Grants will likely range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Grants are for one year. An organization may only submit one request for funding per cycle. The LGBT+ Giving Circle grant term is from May to June of the following year.

A LGBT+ Giving Circle grant awarded in the 2025 grant cycle would not prohibit an organization from applying for another grant in 2026. Please note that a prior grant from the LGBT+ Giving Circle does not guarantee renewal or continued annual support.

Eligibility Criteria

• Your organization must be classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization or a 509(a)(1) public organization. If not, you must have a fiscal sponsor for this request. If this is a barrier to your application, please contact Dawn Perry, Collective Giving Officer, at dperry@racf.org.
• Organizations must be located and operate in the eight-county region served by the Community Foundation (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties)
• Seek to serve individuals who live in or are directly connected to the local LGBTQ+ community.
• Funding is for activities that are planned for the period 7/1/2026 to 6/30/2027. This grant cannot be used to reimburse expenses outside the grant period.

In 2026, priority will be given to organizations seeking Operational Support for ongoing activities with proven impact. We also welcome applications for Program Support/Pilot Funding for new activities that intentionally center the needs of historically marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community, including but not limited to BIPOC individuals, transgender and gender non-conforming people, youth, and elders.

Examples of focus areas for the LGBT+ Giving Circle may be:

• Health and Human Services
• Arts and Culture
• Other – Specified

Each organization may submit only one proposal per grantmaking cycle. Fiscal sponsors may also submit their own application for programs they directly manage. Any such proposals must be separate and distinct from applications submitted by sponsored organization(s).

Please ensure all budget documents and attachments are accurate and consistent before submitting your application.

Ineligible Uses

Grant funds shall not be used for:

• Electioneering or political activities
• Contributions to any candidate for public office or political committee
• Campaigning on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office
• Grants to individuals

Application Due Date(s)

Applications open on March 1, 2026.

The deadline to submit an application will be May 1, 2026.

Future opportunities will be announced in our quarterly e-newsletter, Grant Opportunities. (Click to subscribe.)

Application

Eligible organizations should submit their application through Rochester Area Community Foundation’s online grant portal. To register, log in, or begin a new application click here.

Tips for a successful application:

• Programs should be shaped by and responsive to the voices, needs, and lived experiences of those served. An asset-based approach is encouraged—where the work is done not only for LGBTQ+ individuals, but with and by them.
• Applications clearly demonstrate how the organization’s mission, strategies, and programming advance the LGBT+ Giving Circle’s priorities of equity, visibility, belonging, and safety for LGBTQ+ people in the region.

Notification Date(s)

Funding decisions will be announced in June 2026 with a grantee awards ceremony.

Contact

Dawn Perry
Collective Giving Officer, Philanthropic Engagement
Rochester Area Community Foundation
500 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
585.341.4330
dperry@racf.org