Plus Collective: Basic Operating Grants

The Plus Collective offers Basic Operating Grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve the LGBTQ+ community in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. These grants aim to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of local organizations, fostering diversity and inclusion. Eligible applicants must demonstrate their commitment to community support and can only apply for one grant during the annual cycle. Funding is prioritized for organizations that positively impact the LGBTQ+ population, ensuring resources are effectively utilized within the region.

We are a giving program and foundation that awards grants to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community in the Charlotte region while also cultivating partnerships with community allies.
The Plus Collective (TPC) will award Operating Grants to Charlotte-area organizations serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community.
Basic Operating Grants are intended to build capacity and strengthen the effectiveness of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose primary objective is to serve the Charlotte-Mecklenburg LGBTQ+ community. Grants will be awarded to support the general operations of organizations that exemplify the vision of The Plus Collective: Guided by principles. Inspired by diversity. Supported by community.
Organizations may apply for either a Basic Operating Grant or a Programs, Projects and Events (PPE) Grant, but NOT both.
Funding Priorities
Applicant organizations should exemplify TPC’s vision: Guided by principles. Inspired by diversity. Supported by community. The organizations’ services should support the following:
Building understanding and appreciation, as well as promoting the value of inclusion within the organization’s circle of influence, for LGBTQ+ populations.Cultivating leadership opportunities for LGBTQ+ people.Engaging and including people with diverse backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identity in programs, services and organizational values.
Funding Considerations
As you complete your application, give special consideration to documenting the following criteria which will be used in making grant decisions:
Scope of impact: The organization has a positive impact on its audience and the Charlotte LGBTQ+ community.Effectiveness: The organization is effective at utilizing resources to provide the services and benefits it offers.Budget: The organization’s budget presents reasonable costs for services performed and an efficient way to achieve the objectives.Diversity: The organization engages and includes people of color, trans individuals and others typically underserved within the LGBTQ+ community.Defined measures: The organization identifies clear objectives and uses relevant metrics and measures to define a successful outcome.Organizational experience: The organization has the appropriate talent, skills, and experience to execute its objectives and effectively utilize grant funds.

Eligibility

Grant RequirementsGrant awards must be made to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and applying organizations must have their 501(c)(3) status at the time the application is submitted.Operating Grants are only awarded to organizations whose primary objective is to provide services or benefits to the LGBTQ+ community; eligible organizations must provide at least 75% of their services and utilize at least 75% of their budget within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.Applicant organizations must attest that at least 75% of their services are provided and at least 75% of their budget is utilized within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area and must agree to use grant funds solely within Mecklenburg County.Applicants may apply for ONE Operating Grant per annual grants cycle.TPC Board and Grants Committee reserve the right to request additional information at any time. Failure to respond to requests for additional information may result in denial of the application and/or disqualification from future grant opportunities.Applicants are expected to return funds to TPC if the organization is unable to utilize the funds for the purposes specified in the application or by the grant use deadline.

Ineligibility

Please do not submit a grant application for the following purposes, as they will not be funded:Capital campaigns and endowment fundsHardware, software, or other similar forms of technology infrastructureRequests in which funds will be re-granted to other organizations Events from which the proceeds will benefit other organizationsDebt retirement/deficit fundingProjects that promote policy advocacy, political activity or religious viewsActivities occurring prior to grant decisionProjects that are typically the funding responsibility of federal, state or local governmentNew proposals that duplicate existing or established programs or servicesStrategic planning in “ordinary course of business”Publication of books (paper or digital) unless being published to be sold to raise additional funding for the organization