Best Grants for LGBTQ Nonprofits in Alabama

Alabama LGBTQ nonprofits and grassroots groups advancing queer and trans liberation can access funding for community organizing and mobilization projects, with awards up to US $5,000. Alabama LGBTQ organizations, especially BIPOC-led and small-budget groups, can apply through Southern Vision Alliance’s Queer Mobilization Fund for support of sexuality and LGBTQIA+ rights and services work in the Southeast.

Undergraduate and graduate students, as well as early career researchers studying LGBTQ+ issues in the South, can apply for Campaign for Southern Equality’s Southern Equality Research Grant; awards up to US $2,000 for research expenses and conference travel. Alabama LGBTQIA+ service organizations partnering with eligible researchers may benefit from resulting data and insights.

Early-career LGBTQ+ performance artists creating new avant-garde work in Alabama can seek $5,000 in support from the XENO Prize, part of the Franklin Furnace Fund. Applicants must be non-students, vocational artists with creative control, and reside in one of the eligible states with restricted gender-affirming care, including Alabama.

LGBTQ-focused nonprofits in Alabama planning large-scale advocacy or service projects can seek support for health and wellness, crisis intervention, racial justice, community engagement, and social assistance initiatives. Leonard Litz Foundation provides funding through its LGBTQ+ Advocacy Fund, with a national scope and preference for organizations in the northeast U.S. and those serving communities of color and transgender people.

LGBTQ-focused nonprofits offering advocacy, services, or community programs in Alabama can apply for Leonard Litz Foundation support to improve health, wellness, crisis intervention, racial justice, and social assistance for LGBTQ+ people. Organizations in the northeast U.S. and those serving communities of color or transgender and gender-nonconforming people receive preference but national applicants may be considered.

Alabama LGBTQ+ youth leaders (ages 13–18) partnering with public or charter schools or registered nonprofits can receive US $500 - US $10,000 to run community projects that uplift and empower LGBTQ+ students. It Gets Better provides funding plus mentorship, training, and visibility for initiatives serving groups of youth, not individuals, across the U.S. and territories.

501(c)(3) public charities in Alabama working on LGBTQIA2S+ support, social justice, humanitarian aid, or related services can apply for Looking Out Foundation’s US $5,000 - US $25,000 grants to strengthen their programs. Funding supports priorities like displaced people, immigrant communities, trans and gender expansive rights, mental health access, and other community needs.

Nonprofits and community groups serving transgender, gender-nonconforming, non-binary, and intersex people in Alabama can access funding through the Leonard Litz Foundation’s TransPLUS Resource Grants to support LGBTQIA+ services. Grants may fund health care, housing, legal and religious services, community conferences, peer-support networks, resource toolboxes, newsletters, and awareness efforts for TGNCNBI communities.

LGBTQ-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Alabama can seek project-specific funding for community support, public education, research, and HIV and health programs serving rural or underserved LGBTQ+ populations. Gamma Mu Foundation supports U.S. groups with grants up to US $15,000, prioritizing HIV/STD education, prevention, and treatment for the LGBTQ community.

LGBTQ-focused nonprofit health organizations in Alabama can benefit when nominated physicians, residents, fellows, or final-year medical students receive the Excellence in LGBTQ Health Award, which directs a US $2,500 grant honorarium to a nonprofit of their choice. The American Medical Association Foundation honors leaders advancing LGBTQ health policy, advocacy, care, research, workforce diversity, and administration.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving LGBTQ communities can apply for Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation’s Tier B grants, awarding US $10,000 to support their work. Although the program serves the Greater Bay Area, Alabama LGBTQ rights and services nonprofits working or partnered there may be eligible to request an invitation.

LGBTQ individuals pursuing post–high school education or vocational training that leads to financial stability, including those in Alabama, can receive scholarship support for tuition or training costs. Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation’s We Rise LGBTQ Scholarship offers US $10,000 total in one-time awards for trade, technical, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate programs, with underserved LGBTQ+ groups encouraged to apply.

Youth leaders ages 13–23 in Alabama running kindness-centered social impact projects can apply for Riley's Way Foundation’s Call for Kindness Fellowship, which offers up to US $5,000 plus a year of coaching and leadership development. LGBTQIA+ youth projects and initiatives supporting LGBTQIA+ communities may be especially competitive through the LGBTQIA+ Community Award category.

LGBTQ+ students in Alabama pursuing post-secondary education can receive scholarship support for tuition or related study costs. Pride Foundation provides Alabama LGBTQIA+ and sexuality rights advocates with scholarships that prioritize student leaders facing systemic barriers, including those who are BIPOC, trans or gender diverse, immigrants, disabled, low-income, rurally based, or experiencing housing instability or family rejection.

LGBTQ+ and allied high school or college students pursuing accredited postsecondary education in the Miami Valley can receive US $2,000 for tuition and related academic costs; the scholarship is administered by The Dayton Foundation. Alabama LGBTQ nonprofits may share this opportunity with eligible youth connected to their communities and equity-focused work.

Nonprofit organizations using community organizing for gender justice can apply for funding to support women, girls, trans, gender nonconforming, and LGBTQI+ communities, including in Alabama, from Bread & Roses Community Fund. Grants of US $10,000 back grassroots groups led by those most affected by gender oppression and committed to long-term systemic change.

The Mobilize Power Fund Grant, offered by the Third Wave Fund, supports youth-led gender justice activism. This rapid response fund targets organizations led by young women of color and LGBTQ+ youth, providing up to $10,000 for urgent needs. It prioritizes groups addressing recent incidents that threaten their work, fostering community power and leadership. Organizations with budgets under $500,000 can apply, aiming for impactful, time-sensitive initiatives that promote social change.

Small 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Alabama focused on LGBTQ+ causes, human rights, or girls’ and women’s empowerment can receive US $20,000 in unrestricted capacity-building support, plus pro bono consulting and governance resources. Cause Strategy Partners funds U.S.-based organizations with under $400,000 in annual revenue to strengthen operations, leadership, fundraising, and advocacy infrastructure.

Graduating high school students who identify as LGBTQ+ or as active allies seeking college scholarship support in Alabama may be eligible for the Pride in the Hills Scholarship, a one-time award for academic study. Connecticut Community Foundation supports sexuality and LGBTQIA+ rights and academic scholarship programs through this opportunity.

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status working on LGBTQIA+ rights and broader equality efforts in Alabama can access funding through B.W. Bastian Foundation, with typical awards of US $100 - US $15,000. Grants support general operating expenses, specific projects, advocacy, programs, and capacity building, primarily for groups that explicitly affirm equality for all Americans, including gay and lesbian communities.

Students and recent graduates planning unpaid summer 2025 internships in HIV/AIDS research, advocacy, or services can receive up to US $7,000 in support, including those based in Alabama. Point Foundation supports LGBTQ+ and ally scholars pursuing degree programs at US-accredited institutions through The Kadel & Gerhardt Internships.

The Parsons Family Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Youth and Allies, established by the Parsons family, supports Maine graduating high school seniors of any gender identity or sexual orientation. The scholarship awards $2,000 and is aimed at LGBTQ+ students and their allies pursuing post-secondary education at accredited institutions. Recipients will be notified by the selection committee in late May, with funds disbursed in December for the spring semester. This initiative reflects a commitment to inclusivity and support for diverse youth.

The We Are Moving The Needle Scholarship supports women, trans, and non-binary creators in the music industry by offering two full scholarships for a masterclass with GRAMMY-nominated producer Alissia in Paris. This initiative aims to empower underrepresented voices through education and mentorship, fostering a more inclusive music industry. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops designed to enhance their production skills and gain insights from a leading industry professional, contributing to lasting cultural change.

The Eash-Potter Scholarship supports LGBTQ youth in central Pennsylvania, honoring Melinda Eash and Sharon Potter's legacy. It is available to graduating high school seniors from specific counties who demonstrate commitment to enhancing the community climate for LGBTQ+ individuals. Financial need is a consideration, and the scholarship is a one-time award. Students of color, transgender individuals, and children of LGBTQ+ parents are particularly encouraged to apply, promoting diversity and inclusion within the scholarship program.

The Mary E. Kwiatkowski Social Services Scholarship Fund, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, supports female and LGBTQIA+ students pursuing social sciences and public service careers. In 2023, over $800,000 was awarded to more than 500 students for post-secondary education. This scholarship aims to eliminate financial barriers for diverse talents in Erie County's social services sector, requiring applicants to submit an essay on their public service aspirations and challenges in the Erie region.

Outreach Foundation Helen Bonser Scholarship

This scholarship supports the educational aspirations of individuals from Spokane and Kootenai Counties who identify as LGBTQA+ or Allies, helping them achieve their academic and career goals while fostering a sense of community engagement. 

Applicants should demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, and/or LGBTQA+ community involvement. Recipients are eligible to re-apply and compete for the Outreach Foundation Helen Bonser Scholarship after a waiting period of 5 years.

About Us

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is a resource for local charitable giving. Created by and for the people of San Luis Obispo County, The Community Foundation is an enduring source of charitable funds to meet the changing needs and interests of the region. We envision San Luis Obispo County as an inclusive haven where everyone, regardless of background, feels free to fully participate. In collaboration with our community partners and donors, we seek to foster a safe, respectful environment with ample opportunity for all to reach their potential and contribute to the success of our community. We invite you to join us in celebrating diversity, making sure all of our neighbors feel seen, and free from dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, as we shape a future where all residents can flourish. 

2025-2026 Scholarship Applications

Big dreams start here! With support from generous individuals, families, and businesses, the Community Foundation offers scholarships that help San Luis Obispo County students reach new heights in their education and careers.

Alan D. Stephenson Scholarship

The Alan D. Stephenson Scholarship was established to support promising LGBTQIA+ students to achieve their academic potential.