Applying to Mainstream Funders
It's understandable that LGBT+ organisations can feel apprehensive about applying to mainstream funders, and tend to stick to either LGBT+ specific funds or to a few familiar funders who are known to be 'LGBT+ friendly'.
When thinking of applying to a new funder, you may be wondering: Will they understand our needs? Will they discriminate against us?
We fully appreciate these concerns, but would encourage Members to apply to a range of funders in order to (a) Maximise your chance of receiving funding; and (b) Ensure more funders are receiving applications from LGBT+ organisations, so they can get to know our needs and have the chance to support our communities.
Several funders have told Consortium that they'd very much welcome more applications from LGBT+ groups, as they currently don't receive very many. They positively encourage LGBT+ organisations to apply and want to fund them.
These tend to be the larger funding bodies with paid staff, so they are a good place to start. But don't dismiss the smaller funders, and those who you'd expect to be more traditional. If you meet their criteria, and if the application process is relatively simple and it won't take you much time, it may be worth approaching them.
If you're a smaller group based using your home address on funding applications, and you're worried about that, you could ask a larger organisation if you can use their office address for applications. Though all funders are legally obliged to keep your information safe.
And if/when you receive a grant, let us know so we can add them to our Funder Finder database, which Consortium members can search.
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