Diversity Partnership Grants

Creating Opportunities and Impact

In 1997, the Foundation initiated a grants program specifically for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community. The grants awarded and impact achieved led to the establishment of the Diversity Partnership Fund, a permanent endowment field of interest fund. This endowment was made possible by the generosity of local donors and community leaders committed to creating a lasting impact on the well-being and quality of life for Santa Cruz County’s LGBTQ+ community.

Grant Program Goal

The Diversity Partnership was established to strengthen alliances, promote respect, and enhance services for Santa Cruz County’s LGBTQ+ community. The grant program seeks to sustain, enhance or expand programs and/or projects designed to serve the LGBTQ+ community.

Funding Priorities

Requests for funding should address one of the following priorities:

• Ensure access to welcoming and affirming services and programs that promote LGBTQ+ health and well-being.
• Create safe and welcoming places for the growth and development of LGBTQ+ youth.
• Support and strengthen Latino families to increase acceptance of LGBTQ+ family members.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a project under the fiscal sponsorship of a nonprofit, or a public agency.
• Benefit residents in Santa Cruz County, the Summit, or the Pájaro Valley.
• Adhere to a Board-approved nondiscrimination policy regarding employment, governance, and service.
• We do not fund partisan political activities.

Examples of Support (not limited to these examples)

Funding is available to support a specific project, sustain general operations, or boost organizational effectiveness.

• Training, planning, assessment, capacity building, or general operations for LGBTQ+ organizations already working towards Diversity Partnership funding priorities.
• Youth-led education on LGBTQ+ and gender issues in K-12 schools for students, teachers, and administrators.
• Activities to ensure access to services for LGBTQ+ seniors.
• Evaluation of the implementation of LGBTQ+ policies in a healthcare setting.
• Programs that use evidence-based models that have proven effective with Latino families.

Grantmaking

Information about our next Diversity Partnership grant opportunities will be announced in early 2022.