Best Grants for LGBTQ Nonprofits in Pennsylvania

LGBTQ-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Pennsylvania can apply for the Looking Out Foundation’s grants, which award US $5,000 - US $25,000 for social justice and humanitarian programs. Funding supports LGBTQIA2S+ rights, disadvantaged youth, public health, women, the arts, food insecurity, homelessness, and mental health, with current priorities including displaced people, immigrant communities, and trans and gender expansive individuals.

Public and charter schools and registered nonprofits in Pennsylvania can access funding to support LGBTQ+ youth-led projects that make their communities safer and more empowering. It Gets Better provides US $500 - US $10,000 plus training, mentorship, and engagement opportunities for initiatives benefiting groups of LGBTQ+ students, including youth of color, trans and nonbinary youth, and youth with disabilities.

Grants from Erie Community Foundation help Pennsylvania LGBTQIA+ nonprofits fund programs for equity, inclusion, and well-being in the greater Erie region. Registered 501(c)(3) organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor in eligible counties can apply for up to US $7,500 for projects such as safe schools, youth homelessness, mental health, and housing or workplace equality.

LGBTQ-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Pennsylvania can seek project-specific funding for HIV/STD education, prevention, and treatment, as well as broader LGBTQ health and social services, with awards up to US $15,000. Gamma Mu Foundation prioritizes rural and underserved communities, supporting community services, public education and research, and HIV and health programs across the U.S.

Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, religious organizations, and Montgomery County government entities in Pennsylvania can apply for HealthSpark Foundation’s Rapid Response Fund, awarding US $500 - US $5,000 for urgent, community-led organizing and advocacy. LGBTQIA+ organizations advancing racial and social justice, civic engagement, or community safety for county residents may be eligible.

Lancaster County LGBTQ-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving residents without discrimination can receive US $2,500 - US $25,000 to raise visibility and address local LGBTQ+ community needs. Lancaster County Community Foundation provides Pennsylvania LGBTQIA+ rights and services organizations with funding that prioritizes the most vulnerable and those impacted by racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and other systemic injustices.

Physicians, residents, fellows, and final-year medical students improving LGBTQ health through policy, advocacy, patient care, or research in Pennsylvania and nationwide can be honored and direct a US $2,500 grant to a nonprofit health organization. The American Medical Association Foundation’s Excellence in LGBTQ Health Award recognizes leadership, innovation, and service to underserved LGBTQ communities.

LGBTQ-focused nonprofits in Pennsylvania can apply for Leonard Litz Foundation grants supporting health and wellness, crisis intervention, racial justice, advocacy, and social assistance programming. Organizations in the northeast U.S., especially those serving communities of color and transgender or gender-nonconforming people, may be prioritized for life-affirming services and community-based projects.

Nonprofit organizations advancing LGBTQ+ rights and services in Pennsylvania can seek project funding for large-scale advocacy and community programs. Leonard Litz Foundation provides U.S. LGBTQIA+ groups with support for health and wellness, crisis intervention, racial justice, and social assistance, with preference for Northeast organizations and those serving communities of color and transgender or gender-nonconforming people.

Local or national 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving LGBTQ communities can apply for Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation’s Tier B grants, awarding US $10,000 for aligned programs. While funding is focused on the Greater Bay Area, Pennsylvania LGBTQ nonprofits with relevant service connections may be eligible to request or receive an invitation to apply.

501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups serving majority-LGBTQ+ communities in Greater Philadelphia and nearby Pennsylvania counties can apply for Delaware Valley Legacy Fund’s LGBTQ+ Emerging Needs Grant, awarding up to US $5,000 for emerging community needs. Funding supports legal and civil rights, arts and culture, education, and health and social services, with priority for Black and Indigenous LGBTQ+ communities.

LGBTQ individuals pursuing post-high school education or vocational training that leads to financial stability, including those in Pennsylvania, can receive one-time scholarships from the Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation; awards US $10,000 total across multiple grants. Funding supports trade/technical certificates through doctoral programs for applicants dedicated to advancing LGBTQ rights.

Pennsylvania LGBTQ nonprofits and community groups serving transgender, gender-nonconforming, non-binary, and intersex people can access funding for direct services and support programs through the Leonard Litz Foundation’s TransPLUS Resource Grants. These grants may support health care, housing, legal and religious services, community conferences, peer networks, and other critical TGNCNBI resources nationwide.

BIPOC- and LGBTQ-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Pennsylvania can receive US $100 - US $15,000 for general operating support, projects, advocacy, and capacity building that advance equality, including for gay and lesbian communities. B.W. Bastian Foundation primarily funds the Intermountain West but also supports U.S. projects with broader national scope and impact.

Pennsylvania LGBTQ and social justice nonprofits providing advocacy, mobilization, or healing work in Allegheny County can access funding through the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Social Justice Fund General Support Grant. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored collectives receive flexible operating support to strengthen community-based efforts led by those most impacted by injustice.

LGBTQ+ and allied high school or college students in Pennsylvania interested in academic scholarships and LGBTQIA+ advocacy may be eligible for US $2,000 awards supporting college or trade school costs. The Dayton Foundation provides this funding nationally, so Pennsylvania students committed to equity and community engagement can apply if they meet the Miami Valley residency and activism criteria.

The Pride in the Hills Scholarship, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation, offers a one-time award to graduating high school students who identify as LGBTQ+ or as allies of the LGBTQ+ community. This initiative, part of the Foundation's commitment to support local students, reflects over a century of dedication to enhancing educational opportunities in the Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region. With generous donor support, this scholarship aims to help students achieve their college dreams.

The Gender Justice Organizing Fund Grant supports initiatives led by women, girls, trans, gender nonconforming, and LGBTQI+ individuals to achieve gender justice. Organizations must prioritize community organizing and demonstrate an understanding of systemic oppression. Grants from the Bread & Roses Community Fund are crucial for groups that lack traditional funding due to their commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. The fund emphasizes long-term strategies that foster sustainable social change in the Philadelphia area.

LGBTQ+ students in Pennsylvania pursuing post-secondary education can receive scholarship support for tuition or related educational costs. Pride Foundation provides Northwest residents, including those who have lived in eligible states within the last five years, with scholarships that prioritize student leaders facing systemic barriers, financial need, family rejection, or limited community support while advancing justice in their communities.

Youth leaders ages 13–23 in Pennsylvania with LGBTQIA+ or other social impact projects can apply for Riley's Way Foundation’s Call for Kindness Fellowship, which awards up to US $5,000 to launch or grow youth-led initiatives. Funding supports project expenses through a 501(c)(3) partner, plus a 12‑month leadership development and coaching program.

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 Pennsylvania advancing LGBTQ+ rights, girls’ and women’s empowerment, or human rights can seek capacity-building support, including a US $20,000 unrestricted grant. Cause Strategy Partners funds U.S.-based organizations with revenues under $400,000 to strengthen operations, governance, technology, fundraising, communications, and leadership infrastructure.

The Elsie H. Hillman Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in southwestern Pennsylvania by focusing on community empowerment and support for underrepresented groups. Established in 2006, the Foundation promotes equity and civic engagement among women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ residents. It provides funding for programs that foster dialogue, health initiatives, and cultural revitalization, while prioritizing organizations that align with its mission and operate within the Pittsburgh region.

Students and recent graduates planning unpaid summer 2025 internships in HIV/AIDS research, advocacy, or services can receive up to US $7,000 to support their work through Point Foundation. LGBTQ+ and ally scholars in Pennsylvania and nationwide attending U.S.-accredited institutions may be eligible for these internships focused on culturally competent HIV/AIDS care and services.

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.