Colin Higgins Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Colin Higgins Foundation supports LGBTQ causes with a strong focus on youth in underserved communities.
IP TAKE: This funder has an eye on organizations working with historically underserved and underprivileged LGBTQ populations such as youth of color, as well as, immigrant, rural, transgender and reservation communities. Grantmaking appears to be concentrated in the states of California, New York, Idaho, Illinois and Mississippi, although funding is not strictly limited to these areas. The foundation also runs an annual Colin Higgins Youth Courage Awards program, for which individuals aged 20 and under must be nominated by a participating LGBTQ+ organization. Grant applications are accepted on an invitation-only basis at this time.
PROFILE: The late screenwriter, director and producer Colin Higgins established the Colin Higgins Foundation in 1986 to support “organizations that build the power and leadership of lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit and transgender youth.” The foundation also runs an annual awards program, the Colin Higgins Youth Courage Awards, which “are bestowed each year to acknowledge remarkable young people who refuse to be silenced by society norms and demonstrate profound courage in the face of hardship, intolerance and bigotry based on sexual orientation, gender identiy and national origin.”
Grants for LGBTQ
The foundation’s grantmaking supports organizations involved in grassroots organizing, those working with underserved populations and groups working to bring about legal and political changes impacting LGBTQ youth. Past grantees include the AIDS Resource Council, the Empire State Coalition for Youth and Family Services, Safe Schools North Carolina and the Audre Lorde Project. Grants generally range from $5,000 to $30,000, with an average grant size of $10,000.
The Colin Higgins Youth Courage Awards are awarded to outstanding and courageous individuals up to age 20 who are nominated by select LGBTQ+ organizations in the U.S. In a recent year, three individuals received the award and individual grants of $15,000. For additional information about past grants, see the foundation’s grant history.
Important Grant Details:
The Colin Higgins Foundation made about $40,000 in grants in a recent year. Grantmaking appears to be concentrated in the states of California, New York, Idaho, Illinois and Mississippi, although grantmaking is not strictly limited to these areas.
The foundation’s grantees tend to be small, community-based organizations that serve LGBTQ+ youth. This funder does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding, but prospective grantseekers may submit general inquiries to the foundation staff via email at any time.
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