The Gamma Mu Foundation was established to provide financial support to non-profit organizations that serve clients and communities primarily in the rural and/or underserved areas of the United States. The Foundation awards direct financial grants to support HIV/AIDS services, community services, or research and public education that benefits the LGBT community. 

The Foundation also awards financial support in the form of academic scholarships to members of the LGBT community who demonstrate financial need and the desire to pursue additional training through academic or vocational education.

The Foundation accepts grants applications from January 2nd through March 31st  each year for our annual grants cycle that runs from October 1st of the same year to September 30th of the following year.  The Grants Committee reviews proposals, requests additional information as needed, and may conduct site visits; the Grants Committee then makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.  The Board reviews committee recommendations and makes funding decisions in June of each year.  Applicants usually receive written notification of Board action in July.  Distribution of grant funds for successful applicants is normally made in August/September (50%) and the following March/April (the remaining 50%).  

The Foundation allocates resources in support of the following major goals:

• ensuring the ongoing support of LGBT health and social service organizations;
• enhancing the community through support of projects identifying the Foundation as a source of support for the LGBT community;
• increasing the grantee’s organizational capacity and resources to assure continued program viability after Foundation support terminates; and
• giving priority consideration to proposals that provide services in rural and/or underserved communities.

 Grants are awarded in the following program areas:

• HIV/AIDS Services.  These are services and programs benefiting individuals, caregivers, and families directly impacted by HIV/AIDS. It also includes HIV prevention and education programs.
• Community Services.  These are services and programs that support LGBTQ sub-populations, e.g., youth, seniors, victims of domestic abuse, etc.
• Research and Public Education.  These are services and programs aimed at helping to make the world a more hospitable place for people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Proposals are evaluated against the following criteria:

• relevance of the proposed project to the Foundation’s funding policies and priorities (e.g., services provided to the LGBT community in rural and/or underserved communities);
• importance of the need identified in the proposal as well as past and/or ongoing attempts to meet the need;
• the potential benefit of the project;
• the capability of the applicant organization and its staff as well as the adequacy of the projected activities, budget, and timetable to achieve the desired results;
• the evidence of appropriate cooperation with other organizations working in the same field;
• the likelihood of future support from other sources; and
• the quality of the applicant’s plan for evaluating the results of the project outcomes.

In addition to any conditions and/or requirements associated with a particular grant, the following general conditions apply.  Grant recipients must:

• submit any changes to the scope of the approved project in advance and in writing for approval by the Foundation;
• return any funds not expended for the approved purpose by the end of the grant cycle;
• treat grant funds as restricted to the activities described in the application and maintain account books. These records will show and separately account for funds received under the grant, and will be available to the Foundation for a minimum of four years following the completion of the project; and
• submit an interim report by mid-April following receipt of the first grant payment (50%) and a final report by mid-November following completion of the grant period.

• junior
• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

Apply online and get complete details at https://gammamufoundation.org/grants-proposal-guidelines/. 

Gamma Mu Foundation's Grants Director

grants@gammmufoundation.org
1-866-463-6007.