Decriminalize Sex Work Grants Program

Program Objective

To support efforts that will measurably contribute to the decriminalization of prostitution on the local, state, and/or federal levels in the United States.

Geographic Scope

• United States only
• Does not fund policy work in other countries

Focus Areas

• Projects to decriminalize consensual adult prostitution
• Sex worker-led organizations working to change laws
• Advocacy and organizing for decriminalization
• Local and state-level legislative work
• Federal-level decriminalization efforts

Eligible Applicants

• Organizations (nonprofit and for-profit)
• Individuals working on decriminalization projects
• Sex worker-led organizations (strongly prioritized)
• Current and formerly incarcerated sex workers' organizations
• Anti-trafficking organizations run by or serving sex workers
• Fiscal sponsors acceptable for tax-exempt work

What DSW Does NOT Fund

• Political parties
• Candidates for public office
• Statewide ballot initiatives
• Policy work in other countries
• Projects focused predominantly on lobbying (for tax reasons, though lobbying use is permitted)

Award Details

• Award Amount: Up to $15,000
• Grant Period: Typically 6-12 months
• Payment Schedule: Monthly or quarterly increments (may be frontloaded/backloaded with justification)
• Renewal: Grantees may reapply at end of grant period for project extensions or new projects

Background

DSW launched its grants program in December 2020 with an initial $150,000 portfolio. The organization states it "runs the only grants portfolio that exclusively funds projects to decriminalize consensual adult prostitution in the U.S." This addresses a critical funding gap, as organizations advocating for sex workers' rights and anti-trafficking solutions are severely underfunded due to stigma and misunderstanding.

Recent Grantees (as of 2020)

• Ceyenne Doroshow - Founder/Executive Director of G.L.I.T.S. (Gays and Lesbians Living in a Transgender Society), NYC
• The Ishtar Collective - Vermont's first anti-trafficking and sex-worker-rights organization
• SWOP Behind Bars - National organization serving currently and formerly incarcerated sex workers

Contact Information

Grants Administrator: Send questions, comments, and proposals via email or to DSW's street address (contact information available at decriminalizesex.work)

Pre-Application (Optional but Recommended)

1. Send concise letters of inquiry or brief grant summaries to the grants administrator
2. Timing: Submit at least three weeks before the application deadline
3. These preliminary communications are not required but are encouraged

Formal Application Requirements

Submission Format:

• Submit electronically as Word or PDF document
• Omit cover pages, tables of contents, and divider pages
• Appendices and attached documents via email are acceptable
• First six items must not exceed 8 pages

Required Application Components:

1. Applicant Information
   • Applicant's full name and key contact people names
   • Relevant addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, web addresses
   • For nonprofits: Board officers and directors names
2. Project Objective
   • Precise objective to be achieved with the funds sought
   • Clear description of intended outcomes
3. Project or Organizational Plan
   • Starting and ending dates
   • Budget
   • Specific actions planned
   • Key milestones
   • Identification of other funders
   • List of cooperating organizations
4. Evaluation & Reporting
   • Clear statement of how project success will be measured
   • When and by whom results will be reported
   • Metrics and indicators for measurable impact
5. Organizational Background
   • Description of applicant's mission
   • Organizational history
   • Previous accomplishments
   • Current activities
6. Budget Documentation
   • Line-item budget of revenues and expenses for the project
   • OR for general operating support: organization's overall budget for current and/or upcoming fiscal year
7. Financial Documentation (Optional but strongly recommended)
   • IRS Form 990 submissions for past two years (if available)
   • Audited financial statements for past two years (if available)
8. Tax Exemption Status (If applicable)
   • IRS letter of recognition of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
   • Fiscal sponsor documentation (if applicable)
   • Note: Tax-deductible work is a plus but not required
9. Optional Attachments
   • News articles
   • Video clips
   • Other supporting materials

Submission Instructions

• Submit application electronically to DSW's grants administrator
• Email submission preferred
• Contact: grants administrator at DSW's street address or via email (see website for contact details)

Application Timeline

• Deadline: Rolling basis (applications accepted anytime)
• Pre-application submission: At least 3 weeks before application deadline
• Notification: Timeline not specified in guidelines