Small Change Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The San Francisco-based Small Change Foundation mainly supports organizations involved in LGBTQ causes.
IP TAKE: The Small Change Foundation supports a broad array of organizations involved in LGBTQ causes. Areas of recent interest include youth advocacy, mental health, theater and educational opportunities.
This funder operates a Facebook page, but does not appear to run a formal application program making it less accessible. Grantseekers may email the foundation with inquiries, but its staff is small, so expect delays. The foundation is approachable and supportive, so contact them as necessary.
PROFILE: Established in 2009, the San Francisco-based Small Change Foundation is a modestly sized organization that does not employ a formal staff. While its Facebook page indicates that it has a website, it appears that the site is currently not active. According to its Facebook page, the foundation’s “[v]ision is ultimately one of peace & prosperity for all; a peaceful, global community,” goals which the foundation believes “can be achieved through education & sharing of knowledge & resources on a global scale.” A significant portion of grantmaking has gone to organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Grants for LGBTQ Causes
Small Change’s tax filings indicate a broad funding interest in LGBTQ organizations across the United States. The foundation has supported Oakland’s Transgender Law Center, Sage NYC, the National Center for Transgender Equality, the Equality Federation Institute of San Francisco and the Trevor Project, an organization that aims to prevent suicide among LGBTQ people.
Grants for Mental Health
The Small Change Foundation does not name specific goals for its mental health grantmaking, but tax filings suggest a focus on counseling and mental health services for LGBTQ and youth. According to its tax filings, the foundation has supported mental health service providers including the anti-bullying organization GLSEN, San Francisco’s St. James Infirmary and Our Family Coalition.
Grants for Education
The Small Change Foundation has supported schools and institutions of higher education with a strong focus on providing opportunities and support for LGBTQ students. Past grantees include San Francisco’s Golden Bridges School, Columbia University and the University of California Los Angeles.
Grants for Arts and Culture
Arts and culture represent a smaller giving area for the Small Change Foundation. In recent years, the foundation has given to New York’s Tectonic Theater Project, the Community Music Center of San Francisco, the New Conservatory Theater Center of San Francisco and Theater Rhinoceros.
Important Grant Details:
The Small Change Foundation made about $600,000 in grants in a recent year. Grants are generally awarded in amounts up to $100,000, with an average grant size of about $25,000. This funder’s primary focus is LGBTQ issues, and its work in other areas often overlaps with its LGBTQ funding. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent tax filings.
This funder does not appear to run a formal grant application system but interested grantseekers may contact the foundation via email.
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