Queer Youth Fund

The Queer Youth Fund makes multi-year grants to 501(c)3 organizations (or groups with fiscal sponsors) located in the United States working to improve the quality of life among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (GLBTQQ) youth. Youth are defined as 24 years old and younger. The Queer Youth Fund awards grants to innovative and effective leadership development or organizing projects or programs that empower GLBTQQ youth to improve societal conditions affecting them and that make a long-term difference to their movement.

At least four $100,000 grants, payable over three to five years, are made to groups with specific work that matches the guidelines. Eligible groups must have an organizational budget of $5 million or less (only applies to the group applying for the grant, not the fiscal sponsor) and a total budget for their youth work of $750,000 or less. Funding decisions are made collaboratively by donors, community representatives and foundation staff.

History
The Queer Youth Fund was founded by Weston Milliken, Jim Johnson and Ralph Alpert. It was initiated in 2002 at the Tides Foundation, who managed the 2002-2003 cycle. Administration of the fund was then shifted to Liberty Hill, who have managed all subsequent cycles.

To date, the Queer Youth Fund has invested more than $3 million in LGBTQQ youth projects in the U.S. and Canada.

2010-2011

 * Brown Boi Project
 * Colorado Anti-Violence Program
 * Make the Road New York
 * The Theatre Offensive
 * Three Wings

2009-2010

 * Freedom, Inc.
 * National Coalition Building Institute-Missoula
 * Out Youth
 * Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project
 * SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW
 * Streetwise & Safe

2008-2009

 * American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi
 * Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools
 * REACH LA
 * Utah Pride Center

2007-2008

 * Affinity Community Services
 * Ann Arbor Teen Center
 * Center for Artistic Revolution (CAR)
 * Gay-Straight Alliance Network
 * Providence Youth Student Movement

2006-2007

 * Iowa Pride Network
 * Peter Cicchino Youth Project
 * Southerners on New Ground
 * Sylvia Rivera Law Project

2005-2006

 * Basic Rights Education Fund
 * Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
 * Outright Vermont
 * Student Christian Movement of Canada

2004-2005

 * Ally Action
 * Jacksonville Area Sexual Minority Youth Network, Inc.
 * Santa Fe Mountain Center
 * School of Unity and Liberation

2003-2004

 * Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Youth (BAGLY)
 * F.B. Alliance
 * Odyssey Youth Center

2002-2003

 * FIERCE!
 * Gay-Straight Alliance Network
 * Indiana Youth Group

Funding / support
As a part of their private fund management, Liberty Hill handles all donation inquiries - anyone interested in financially support the fund should contact Liberty Hill. Donors that have supported the fund include the Johnson Family Foundation, Weston Milliken, Jim Johnson, Ralph Alpert, Palette Fund and the Threshold Foundation.

You can also show your support for the Queer Youth Fund by contributing to a past recipient.