OVERVIEW: The Rainbow World Fund supports humanitarian aid organizations in both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ communities around the world.
IP TAKE: This LGBTQ funder does not award many grants each year, so even grantseekers who manage to get on this funder’s radar can expect some competition.
PROFILE: Established in 2000, the Rainbow World Fund was created by Jeffrey Cotter, who has worked in the HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ rights fields since 1987. It seeks to “promote peace, unity and hope by leading the LGBTQ movement in participating in humanitarian relief efforts.” The fund describes itself as the “first and only all-volunteer, LGBTQ-based humanitarian aid organization.” The Rainbow World Fund offers grants, emergency food aid, medicines, and other supplies, such as art and school supplies, to people in need both domestically and abroad.
Grants for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief
The fund’s grants for Humanitarian Aid prioritizes support for humanitarian and disaster relief organizations worldwide. Support takes the form of “monetary grants, emergency food aid, life saving medicines and supplies to people in need in the United States and around the world.” Past grantees include the Blue Diamond Society, which received a grant to help the people affected by the earthquake in Nepal.
Grants for LGBTQ and Refugees
Rainbow World conducts its grantmaking for LGBTQ+ issues through its Advocacy program. The program seeks to “increase positive LGBTQ visibility by demonstrating the LGBTQ community’s compassion, concern, and leadership by building bridges with the international LGBTQ and world communities.” Past grantees include the Heartland Alliance International for the resettlement of LGBTQ refugees in imminent danger; OneOrlando Fund to help survivors of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando; and Florida and Sexual Minorities in Uganda (SMUG) to help Ugandan LGBTQ refugees.
Grants for Diseases and COVID-19
Rainbow world also has a LGBT COVID-19 Emergency Fund that works to provide hygiene kits; support for hand washing, sanitation, and social distancing skills through community education; funds for emergency food and medical needs; and to distribute grants to LGBTQ organizations of the front lines to the Rainbow World Fund’s international partners in Cuba, Guatemala, Iraq, Mexico, Syria, and Uganda.
Important Grant Details:
The fund’s grants are modest and typically range between $5,000 and $10,000. The fund does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funding. Grantseekers can sign up for the Mailing List in order to get updates on grant opportunities. To learn more about the types of organizations the fund supports, explore its recent grants lists.
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