Who is eligible for an Equity Action grant?

All agencies and associations proposing to serve the needs of Rhode Island’s LGBTQ communities are encouraged to apply, whether or not the agency is LGBTQ-focused. We strongly encourage applications from all-volunteer and grassroots organizations, and we acknowledge that many may not have grantwriting experience.

Eligibility requirements are the same for all applicants.

All applicants must:

• Have a board-approved policy regarding staff (volunteer or paid) employment, the election of a governing board, and provision of services that mandates non-discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or national origin. Please read the Equity Action Grant Applicant Non-Discrimination Policy Requirement, FAQ.  
  
• Be incorporated as 501(c) nonprofit organizations or be sponsored by an umbrella 501(c) organization. Units of local or state government are also eligible grant recipients. Groups that have not yet applied for or received a determination of their nonprofit status may work through a fiscal sponsor. (Review the requirements for proposals involving a fiscal sponsor.)

Equity Action will NOT make grants to:

• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or religion
• Individuals
• Fraternal organizations, unless in support of a specific program open to or benefitting the entire community
• Fundraising events such as annual campaigns, walk-a-thons, tournaments, fashion shows, auctions, or dinners 
• Organizations with religious affiliations, unless the program is open to the entire community without regard to religious beliefs 
• Organizations and programs designed to elect candidates to public office
• Organizations located outside Rhode Island unless for a specific program benefitting the residents of and conducted within Rhode Island
• Pay off past debts and obligations
• Endowment funds
• Academic scholarships, fellowships, and travel grants
• Capital support, unless it is limited to equipment needs where there is a demonstrated programmatic benefit
• Program or organizational start-up funding, unless a funding plan is in place and sustainability beyond the one-year grant period is likely

Equity Action funds a variety of initiatives including, but not limited to:

• Increasing advocacy capacity to address policy issues that affect the LGBTQ community (statewide or at the local level)
• Developing skills and processes to build effective partnerships, coalitions, and alliances to increase program operation and effectiveness
• Creating resource materials, websites, or other tools for individual and community education