LGBTQ+ Emerging Needs Grant

LGBTQ+ Emerging Needs Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund
Amount: Up to US $5,000
Last Updated: September 30, 2025

Summary

The LGBTQ+ Emerging Needs Grant by the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund aims to support organizations that address the evolving needs of the Greater Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community. With a focus on areas such as legal rights, arts, education, and health services, grants of up to $5,000 are available, encouraging applications from diverse and grassroots organizations. Since 1993, the fund has prioritized impactful initiatives that foster community growth and inclusion.

Overview

Delaware Valley Legacy Fund DVLF is the leading fundraiser serving the emerging needs of the Greater Philadelphia LGBTQ+ community. DVLF was created in 1993 to benefit the Philadelphia region’s community through philanthropy, raising money for a permanent endowment. Our critical mission provides for services which foster positive change every year through advocacy, grantmaking, scholarships, programming, and education. Since our founding, we have given over $1 million dollars to advance the constantly evolving needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Each year we receive more proposals than we can fund. By our 30th anniversary, our vision is to fully fund every qualified proposal received from Greater Philadelphia LGBTQ+ serving organizations. Grants Each year the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund distributes funds to organizations that are at the front lines of meeting the emerging needs of the region’s LGBTQ+ community. This includes a variety of funding areas including: legal and civil rightsarts and cultureeducation and the humanitieshealth and social services Grants are made from our endowment at The Philadelphia Foundation as well as from general fundraising and partnerships with other philanthropic groups and individuals.  While grants are available to a broad range of applicant organizations—in order to meet the emerging needs of the LGBTQ+ community-- funding priorities may occasionally focus grant making in order to take advantage of specific partnership opportunities. Funding Eligible applicants seek to respond to emerging needs in the community to be considered for a grant of up to $5,000. A typical award is $2,500

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We invest in 501(c)3 organizations (or organizations under a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor) with programs that serve LGBTQ+ constituents as a majority within the following Delaware Valley counties: Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, New Castle, or Sussex. Funding is directed to organizations serving the communities of Philadelphia and Southeastern PA, Southern New Jersey and New Castle County, Delaware.We welcome applications from established groups as well as small grass-roots organizations. A majority of the entire constituency served by the organization (or program for which funding is being requested) must be LGBTQ+ identified.

Ineligibility

Please note we do not fund the following:Grants to individualsGrants to for-profit organizations or institutionsNational, umbrella, or re-granting organizationsDeficit financing or emergency aidPurchase of tickets, tables, ads, or sponsorshipsParties, and one-time fair events