Astraea's emphasis is on funding groups that are committed to progressive social change. Astraea grantees are lesbian organizations and LGBTI organizations, or progressive organizations that have LGBTI's in leadership roles and include LGBTI issues as an integral part of their work.  We also fund gay men, transgender, and intersex groups that fulfill the above criteria. Through advocacy and education, groups are working to fight homophobia, and to promote human rights for LGBTI's in their home countries, as well as providing social and cultural spaces for LGBTI's to come out and to express their individuality.  Astraea funds such issues as anti-violence, health, culture, economic justice, anti-homophobia, advocacy, leadership development and empowerment services.

Astraea, the first nationwide lesbian foundation in the United States, has been a feminist, grassroots-oriented organization since its founding in 1977. Started by a multi-racial, multi-cultural group of feminist activists, Astraea has always worked with and on behalf of projects that embrace and promote a social justice agenda throughout the world.

GENERAL GUIDELINES                                                                          Astraea's International Fund for Sexual Minorities supports groups, projects, or organizations working towards progressive social change which are led by and/or for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender, and intersex (LGBTI)* communities and directly address oppression based on sexual orientation and gender expression.

·         Organizations should also demonstrate an understanding of the connections among oppressions and have a commitment to address other forms of oppression such as oppression based on gender, class, race, ethnicity, age, physical and mental ability, national identity, and religious affiliation.

·         Projects funded by Astraea embrace inclusivity and reflect the diversity of the geographic region in which they do their work.

*We recognize the limitations of Western definitions of transgender and same gender-loving people and support indigenous expressions of these identities such as Two Spirit (Native American), Shamakhami (Bengali), Hijra (Hindi), etc.

GROUPS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Your group must fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Only groups, and not individuals, are eligible to apply.
• Groups must be based in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Republics, the Middle East, or Africa.
• Groups must be doing work on issues affecting LGBTI* people and/or people who are penalized, persecuted or harassed for their sexual behavior with consenting adults or for their gender expression. Non-LGBT-led groups must demonstrate how they address LGBTI human rights issues and how they involve LGBTI's in organizational decision-making.
• A group must have been active for at least one year at the time you send in your proposal.  A group which has been active for less than one year may apply if you demonstrate your group's ability to sustain activities over the long-term and illustrate how a grant would help you to build your organization's capabilities.

FUNDING PRIORITIES - applicants must meet the preceding criteria and eligibility requirements.

Funding priorities include the following:

• Groups directed by and targeted to lesbians.
• Groups composed of, or have a history of working with, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/intersex communities, who may also work with vulnerable sexual minorities including transvestites, sex workers, youth, seniors, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities.

Within the above funding priorities, serious consideration is given to the following projects:

• Proposals which strengthen a group's ability to organize. Organizing may be defined as activities that actively engage people affected by societal problems in the process of identifying and pursuing solutions.  Strategies could include building infrastructure and communications, including appropriate technology, between group members or with non-group members at a local, national, regional or global level.
• Groups with limited sources of traditional funding.
• Groups that would benefit from general support funds for such expenses as equipment, rent, supplies, training, and staff needs that help build the capacity of the group to carry out its work.

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Astraea Foundation generally does not fund university-sponsored projects.  Astraea Foundation generally does not fund organizations with budgets above US $500,000.

• General Support:  Organizations may apply for general support, including expenses such as salary and rent, equipment, training, and staff needs that help build the management and programmatic capacity of the group to carry out its work.
• Project Support:  Organizations or groups that meet our guidelines and fit in a priority funding category may apply for a specific project or for program support.

NEXT DEADLINES

15 October 2004  & 15 March 2005

FUNDING LEVELS

The maximum grant is US $10,000.  The average grant ranges from US $2,000 to US $6,000. 

REVIEW PROCESS

1.      Applications are reviewed and discussed by the International Fund Grants Panel, with participation from the International Advisory Board and Astraea staff.

2.      All applicants are notified by mail of funding decisions within five months after the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF A GRANT

• Groups awarded a grant will receive a written term of agreement.  A follow-up report is due within a year of the grant.
• A group may receive only one grant in a 12 month period. However, there is no limit to the number of consecutive year grants an organization may be awarded.
• Grants will only be made to non-governmental organizations and/or projects which meet in form and spirit of the criteria which are used in determining non-taxable 501 (c)(3) status in the United States of America, i.e. organizations operated for charitable or educational purposes. 
• Grants can only be made to the bank account of the organization.  Astraea does not make grant payments to the account of an individual.