The Equality Fund Grant

The Equality Fund, managed by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, aims to enhance the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ residents in the Greater Hartford area. This grant opportunity allows organizations to apply for up to $50,000 in funding for projects addressing human needs, education, and healthcare, among others. Prioritization will be given to proposals aligned with the LGBTQIA+ Resident Wellbeing study. The initiative seeks to create vibrant, inclusive communities through targeted support and advocacy.

NOTE: Please contact Hartford Foundation staff if you currently have multi-year Foundation funding before you apply.
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity through its Equality Fund to support the wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ residents in the Greater Hartford region. The Foundation welcomes requests of up to $50,000 for grant activities implemented over one year and expects to award up to $200,000 in total across all grantees.
While the Hartford Foundation will consider all submitted proposals that provide direct assistance or tailored services to LGBTQIA+ Greater Hartford residents in the areas of basic human needs, education, healthcare services, or other programs that may tackle inequities or barriers in housing, employment, healthcare, etc., the Foundation will prioritize proposals that align with the recommendations set forth in the Foundation and DataHaven’s LGBTQIA+ Resident Wellbeing study:
Social connectedness of queer youthThird or community safe spacesLGBTQIA+ advocacy (e.g., inclusive legislation that protects LGBTQIA+ individuals)Improved access to quality, culturally relevant, and inclusive medical and mental health services (e.g., reducing transportation or cost barriers, gender affirming care, training and support for affirming communication and care approaches)Community-based harm reduction practicesAccessing safe, affordable housing and shelter (e.g., addressing discrimination and safety concerns including survivors of intimate partner violence, educating community on housing rights and resources, housing systems navigation)

Eligibility

Grants awarded through The Equality Fund will be considered for Greater Hartford organizations that have:missions that explicitly support the LGBTQIA+ community ORprograms designed specifically to address the unique needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.Applicants must meet the Hartford Foundation’s basic grantee criteria found here:Be a registered nonprofit (non-501c3 community-based groups may apply using a fiscal sponsor).Serve the Greater Hartford region/the Foundation’s 29-town catchment areaHave a governing board that engages in effective governance practicesOrganizations will need to demonstrate mission alignment or prior programmatic experience engaging with the LGBTQIA+ community as well as how its programming acknowledges and addresses intersectional identities, such as racial and ethnic identities, in its work.Organizations can apply for project funding, capital support, capacity building, or operating support. Please note that only organizations with explicit missions to serve the LGBTQIA+ community will be considered for operating support and should upload their current strategic plan (or a work plan in lieu of a strategic plan) within the application.Proposals can seek funding for grant activities for up to one year.Each organization is invited to submit one proposal.

Ineligibility

Organizations currently receiving a core support grant during the Equality Fund RFP’s one- year grant period will be ineligible to apply.