LGBTQ+ Humanist Organizer Fund

What is this?

LGBTQ+ rights are under attack. From rollbacks on DEI policies to bans on gender-affirming care, federal and state governments are stripping away the safety, dignity, and freedom of queer and trans people. These actions go beyond politics. They threaten people’s fundamental rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

As Humanists, we strive towards an equitable distribution of the means of life. We strongly believe in human freedom, compassion, and justice, and right now, these values demand that we act. 

The LGBTQ+ Humanist Organizer Fund is a new initiative we’ve designed to support young Humanists (ages 18-30) who want to make a difference in queer communities. We’re offering grants of up to $1100 dollars to go towards a service project of your design. This project is to be completed alongside new or pre-existing LGBTQ+ organization, with extra support for collaborative projects. This is an opportunity to put your values into action in a way that builds connections and strengthens the support systems of queer people in your community. 

Who can apply?

We are especially excited to hear from applicants who...

• Are between the ages of 18 and 30

• Are active and passionate members or allies of LGBTQ+ communities

• Identify with our Humanist values of reason, equity, and compassion

What can the grant be used for?

We want to empower young organizers to perform unique projects that they are passionate about. If you have something specific in mind, tell us about it! If you need a little inspiration, we have plenty of materials that could serve as a jumping-off point (see our Program Toolkits). 

Here are some examples of project ideas:

• Community Healing Circle: Cultivate a safe space for queer and trans people of all ages to gather and share their experiences (see our Queer Humanist Mentorship Program, which is coming soon). 

• Queer Humanist Day of Service: Partner with a local LGBTQ+ organization and bring volunteers together for a joint day of community service. 

• Pin-making for pride: Host an event where people can come together to design informative and celebratory Pride pins that spread awareness and support Humanist values.

• Your idea here!

Note: funding cannot be used for speaker fees, donations to existing orgs, or anything unrelated to the specific goals outlined in your project plan.

We're offering this program because we truly believe that people like you have the capacity to inspire and accomplish monumental change. This grant could be a new step in your journey towards building a better world. 

Grant Tiers

We are offering grants of up to $1000 for these service projects, and are willing to supply additional funding to service projects completed in collaboration with existing organizations that promote LGBTQ+ rights. 

How to Apply

Click here to access the application form. 

Timeline

1. June 18th, 2025: Application opens!

2. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

3. Within about 2 weeks, you will hear back about the status of your proposal.

4. we may ask you to do a short, friendly interview with us if we have any questions about your application.

5. If selected, we will collaborate with you on a project timeline. 

6. We will have periodic check-ins with you and provide ongoing support throughout your project.

After Your Project

After your project is complete, we don’t want to just disappear, we want to continue being connected with you! We’ll ask that you fill out our Impact Questionnaire to help us recognize your successes and areas for future growth. We want to continue supporting you and the community you’ve fostered, and this questionnaire will help us know the best way to do so. 

If you found your project meaningful and feel that you achieved stellar success, our doors are open to collaborate with you on future events and service projects, and may even want to connect with you about leadership opportunities with AHA.

You may also have opportunities to...

• Write a short blog post about your project to be published on our social media.

• Share photos from your event on our social media platforms,

• Attend our virtual Grantee Reception to celebrate your achievements among other grantees.

Questions?

Reach out to us at grassroots@americanhumanist.org.