Equity Action grants $34,010 to five nonprofits

Grants support projects assisting LGBTQQ youth, individuals, and communities

Recipients of the most recent grants awarded by Equity Action, an initiative of The Rhode Island Foundation, will address such diverse needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) communities of Rhode Island as marriage equality, health, and outreach services. This year's grants total $34,010.

These awards bring total Equity Action grants to more than $372,000 since the program was established at the Foundation in July 2002. 

Organizations receiving Equity Action grants and their funded projects are:

• Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) for polling on support for equal marriage in Rhode Island
  Ocean State Action Fund, as the fiscal agent for Marriage Equality Rhode Island, was awarded a $10,000 grant.  The grant will allow MERI to conduct a public opinion poll on support for equal marriage in Rhode Island. This poll is part of a biannual polling process that is a key component of MERI's "Win Plan," helping to clarify demographics of individuals and allowing the group to focus its work and hone its messaging.
• Rhode Island Pride to increase awareness and visibility of LGBTQQ communities
  This organization creates opportunities to integrate and promote visibility of LGBTQQ communities through an annual PrideFest and other programs and services. It was awarded a $7,500 grant to continue this work with the help of a manager who will be responsible for planning, community outreach and public relations, and fund development among other tasks.
• Youth Pride, Inc. for expansion of services
  Youth Pride, Rhode Island's only statewide organization for youth and young adults affected by sexual orientation and gender identity, received a $14,080 grant to extend its services to Saturdays thereby helping it to maintain its website in-house, have greater flexibility in recruiting volunteers, and increase its capacity to collaborate with other organizations.

In addition to the above grants, "small grants" were awarded to the following organizations:

• Comprehensive Community Action Program (CCAP)
  CCAP, a social service agency established in 1966 that is dedicated to making the community more responsive to the needs and interests of the poor, received a $1,000 grant for the LGBTQQ Health and Wellness Fair. The Fair will provide access to screenings, vaccinations, and wellness services for LGBTQQ communities.
• East Greenwich High School
  East Greenwich High School received a grant of $1,430 for its Gay Straight Alliance. The Alliance will use funds to: (1) purchase books, equipment and other supplies thereby creating a resource library which will provide educational opportunities for students and other school members, and (2) increase visibility of the Gay Straight Alliance within the school.

Upcoming Funding Opportunities
Equity Action has two funding cycles per year for project and capacity-building grants.  The next application deadline is October 15 for grants that range from $2,500 to $15,000.  In addition, applications are accepted on a rolling basis for a small grants program for projects up to $2,500.  Interested organizations can obtain further information by visiting Equity Action at www.equityaction.org.