Community Grants

The Leonard Litz Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting initiatives that improve the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals across the United States. Established with the belief that targeted funding can create meaningful change, the Foundation emphasizes the transformative impact that financial support can have on organizations serving LGBTQ+ communities. Its mission centers on enabling programs that provide essential services, expand access to resources, and address unmet needs among LGBTQ+ populations. Through its Community Grants program, the Foundation seeks to uplift nonprofit organizations that are actively working to create safer, more inclusive environments and opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals. The primary purpose of the Community Grants program is to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a clear and direct impact on LGBTQ+ communities. The Foundation prioritizes proposals that articulate a specific, well-defined use of funds tied to a documented need. Rather than supporting broad or indefinite initiatives, the Foundation favors projects that are finite in scope and capable of delivering measurable outcomes. Funding may be used to sustain existing programs, launch new initiatives, or expand services that directly benefit LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who may otherwise lack access to support. Eligibility for funding is focused on nonprofit organizations whose work aligns with the Foundation’s mission. Applicants must demonstrate that their programs are designed to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people and provide clear evidence of need within the communities they serve. While the Foundation expresses openness to hearing from a wide range of organizations, it also emphasizes alignment with its mission and funding priorities as a critical factor in the evaluation process. Organizations whose work does not align may be redirected to other funding opportunities better suited to their focus areas. The application process is structured into three phases. In Phase 1, applicants are required to complete a grant proposal form specific to the program they are applying for. This includes providing detailed information about the organization, the proposed project, the amount of funding requested, and the anticipated impact. Supporting documentation must also be uploaded as part of the submission. The Foundation highlights the importance of demonstrating a strong connection between the requested funding and a clearly identified need, as well as presenting a focused and actionable proposal. Phase 2 involves a comprehensive review by the Foundation’s grant review team. Each proposal is evaluated for alignment with the Foundation’s mission and priorities. If a proposal does not meet these criteria, the Foundation commits to providing constructive feedback and may suggest alternative funding sources. For proposals that advance, the review process becomes more interactive, with Trustees engaging applicants in discussions to better understand their work and refine the proposed use of funds. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that funding decisions are both strategic and impactful. In Phase 3, proposals are categorized into one of three outcomes: approved, returned with feedback, or redirected. Approved applicants receive detailed information about grant terms, next steps, and disbursement procedures. Proposals that require further refinement may be returned with specific recommendations or requests for additional information. In cases where alignment is not achieved, applicants are guided toward other funding organizations that may be a better fit. This transparent and supportive decision-making process reflects the Foundation’s commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships. The grant operates on a recurring biannual cycle, with application windows open from May 15 to May 30 for the Spring cycle and September 15 to September 30 for the Fall cycle. After submission, the review process typically takes four to six weeks, followed by fund disbursement within two to four weeks for approved applications. This structured timeline allows applicants to plan accordingly while ensuring a thorough evaluation process. The Foundation’s headquarters is located at 140 Sherman Street, Fairfield, Connecticut, and it maintains an open and encouraging stance toward prospective applicants seeking to make a positive impact in LGBTQ+ communities.

Clearly link funding request to documented need; prioritize specific, finite projects over broad proposals; align closely with mission priorities