OUR PROCESS
Each year, Grass Roots Gay Rights Foundation awards grants to 501(c) organizations who serve the LGBTQ community and align with the Foundation’s mission. Grants are awarded in three tiers: Tiers A, B, and C (See below for tier descriptions).
Organizations are invited or may request to apply for Tier A or B grants during the application period. After an initial screening for fit by the Beneficiary Committee, organizations are provided with and complete the Foundation’s Beneficiary Application, and are requested to provide financial and tax return information by the annual deadline.
Click on the links below to access the guidelines and applications for 2026:
GRGRF Beneficiary Application Guidelines
There will be a virtual Beneficiary Stakeholder’s Meeting for potential Tier A and B applicants on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 at 7 PM (Pacific). This is an opportunity for organizations to ask questions about the application process. Email daniel.blair@grgrf.org to register for this meeting.
Questions regarding this application process are welcomed and should be directed via email to:
Daniel Blair
Beneficiary Chair
daniel.blair@grgrf.org
2026 DATES AND DEADLINES
Application submission deadline:
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Notification of Tier A & B finalists:
Friday, April 10, 2026
15-minute oral presentation to GRGRF Events Committee & Board:
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Host voting on Tier B finalists:
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Host Margarita Party & public announcement of selected Tier A beneficiaries:
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Notification of Tier B beneficiaries:
Sunday, May 17, 2026
TIER A
BOARD AND EVENTS COMMITTEE SELECTED:
Local nonprofit (501(c)3) organizations who serve the LGBTQ community in the Greater Bay Area are eligible to apply for a Tier A Grant. The amount awarded for Tier A grant recipients is based on the success of the year of fundraising once Tier B and C grants have been awarded. In the spring, the Foundation’s board and events committee meet to review the applications and hear presentations by selected finalist candidates. A consensus voting process determines the recipients in Tier A. The Foundation awards two Tier A grants annually.
TIER B
HOST SELECTED:
Local or national nonprofit (501(c)3) organizations who serve the LGBTQ community in the Greater Bay Area are eligible to apply for a Tier B grant. The Foundation’s event hosts (over 200 people) vote to select two $10,000 Tier B grants annually.
TIER C
FLAGGING IN THE PARK DJ’S SELECTED:
Each year, our program, Flagging in the Park, holds 5–6 flagging events at the National AIDS Memorial Grove to benefit 501(c)3 organizations. The DJ’s at these events select the beneficiaries for their event. The Foundation provides matching grants of up to $2,000 for each beneficiary selected, for a total of up to $12,000. There is no application process for Tier C grants.
The Foundation does not accept applications or solicitations for funding outside of this process.