Deadline: Friday, 31 July 2026 at 4:59pm EDT
The Grassroots Mobilization Fund (GMF) aims to provide low-barrier support to LGBTQI+ grassroots, community-based organizations to provide a range of services and programs tailored to the local needs of the LGBTQI+ people in their region. Through this fund, a select number of organizations can receive a grant of up to $10,000 USD for projects of up to 1 year in duration.
Applications are accepted online through multiple rounds held throughout the year, and are open to individuals from any country where LGBTQI+ community members are at risk.
In 2025, the Grassroots Mobilization Fund distributed $199,716.08 to 24 organizations in 16 countries, impacting 4,167 individuals. Countries we established partnerships in include: Uganda, Lebanon, Nigeria, Kenya, Malaysia, Jordan, South Sudan, Liberia, South Korea, Guyana, Colombia, Mexico, Honduras, Morocco, Afghanistan, and Thailand.
Evaluation Criteria:
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- The scope and feasibility of project activities
- Anticipated impact
- Diversity of target beneficiaries
- Geographic relevance and diversity
- Reliability of the organization
- Quality of documentation
Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee funding. We receive a very high number of requests and have limited resources, which unfortunately means we are unable to support many deserving initiatives. While we do our best to carefully review each application, we encourage organizations in our network to continue seeking support from a range of donors and partners whenever possible.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations are considered Eligible if they meet all the below
Scale
- Must be a nonprofit non-governmental civil society organization active within their respective country.
- Must demonstrate a minimum of two years of active work within the local community.
- Must have a proven track record of working with local communities in their respective region.
- Preferred:
- Should have established local offices in the respective countries.
- Should have a governance structure in place, including a management team, board of directors, or equivalent.
- Must demonstrate a history of collaboration with local or international partners.
Scope
- Must operate in countries where LGBTQIA+ individuals face significant legal and social challenges, including criminalization, discrimination, and violence.
- Should provide documentation or reports highlighting the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ communities in their respective country
Geographic presence
- Organizations must have a primary mission and dedicated programs focused on the LGBTQIA+ community, including LGBTQIA+ rights, health, and social inclusion.
- Must have a proven track record or demonstrate evidence of impact in areas such as advocacy, legal support, mental health services, and community building for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Use of Funds
- Funds must be allocated towards activities that directly benefit the LGBTQIA+ community, such as healthcare access, legal aid, educational programs, and safe spaces.
- Detailed plans for the use of funds should include timelines, expected outcomes, and methods of evaluation.
Amount Requested
- Funding requests below $10,000 USD which must be detailed, with a clear budget and justification for the amount requested.
- Projects should demonstrate measurable outcomes and a sustainable impact on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Organizations are considered ineligible if they meet one or more of the below criteria.
Scale
- International Big Organizations:
- Large international organizations with substantial funding and resources.
- Entities that have significant financial backing and global reach, reducing the need for additional small-scale funding support.
- For-Profit Entities:
- Organizations that operate on a for-profit basis, including private companies and businesses.
- Entities with primary objectives centered around revenue generation rather than social impact.
Scope
- Organizations whose primary mission does not focus on LGBTQIA+ issues, rights, or the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, even if they engage in general human rights work.
- Programs that do not have specialized initiatives or dedicated resources for the direct benefit of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Geographic Presence
- Organizations operating in countries with established legal protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals and low levels of societal discrimination.
- Entities that do not work in high-risk environments where LGBTQIA+ rights are under threat.
Use of Funds
- Funds intended primarily for internal capacity development, such as staff training, infrastructure improvements, or administrative expenses not directly tied to project activities.
- Requests aimed at covering operational costs like salaries, rent, or utilities without a clear connection to direct community benefit.
Amount Requested
- Funding requests exceeding $10,000 USD per application without adequate justification or alignment with the program’s funding limits.
- Proposals lacking detailed budgets or clear financial accountability.