The Out in the South Fund is a collaborative fund that awards matching and planning grants to build and support locally-driven Southern funds that move resources to critical movement work in the South, driven by the leadership and vision of LGBTQ communities throughout the region.
The Out in the South Pooled Fund awarded $650,000 to 12 LGBTQ funds and allied grantmaking organizations throughout the South in 2024. Now in its ninth grantmaking cycle, the Fund has distributed nearly $4.3 million dollars to catalyze locally-driven Southern funds to move resources in support of LGBTQ movement work in the South.
2024-2025 Grantee Cohort
Grantee and Grant Purpose |
Location |
Amount |
|
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Black Belt Community Foundation: Support of a Black-led community foundation in Selma, AL to integrate LGBTQ issues into their grantmaking. | Selma, AL | $32,500 |
 |
Co-Thinkk:Support for based POC-led community organizing and grantmaking organization to integrate LGBTQ issues into their work. | Asheville, NC | $32,500 |
 |
Campaign for Southern Equality/Southern Equality Fund: Support for the Southern Equality Fund, which supports Southern LGBTQ grassroots organizing efforts. | Regional | $65,000 |
 |
Contigo Fund: Support for regranting to QTPOC grassroots organizing efforts. | Orlando, FL | $65,000 |
 |
LGBTQ Fund of Greater Birmingham: Support for regranting to QTPOC grassroots organizing efforts. | Birmingham, AL | $65,000 |
 |
LGBT Fund at Spartanburg County Foundation: Support for regranting to QTPOC grassroots organizing efforts. | Spartanburg, SC | $32,500 |
 |
LGBT Fund of Mississippi: Support for regranting to QTPOC grassroots organizing efforts. | Jackson, MS | $65,000 |
 |
Southern Power Fund: Support for a Southern movement led fund re-granting to southern movement organizations and building capacity for Southern philanthropic infrastructure. | Regional | $65,000 |
 |
Southern Vision Alliance: Queer Mobilization Fund: Support for regranting to QTPOC grassroots organizing efforts. | NC and SC | $65,000 |
 |
Texas Pride Impact Fund: Support for grantmaking to LGBTQ Texas grassroots organizations | Dallas, TX | $65,000 |
Maria Fund |
Exploratory Grant: Support for regranting to QTPOC grassroots organizing efforts. | Puerto Rico | $65,000 |
Appalachian Community Fund |
Exploratory Grant: Support for regranting to QTPOC grassroots organizing efforts. | Knoxville, TN | $32,500 |
TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED: $650,000
Special thanks to the funding and collaboration of several national and Southern funders, who make the Out in the South Fund possible:
- The Arcus Foundation
- The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
- The Foundation for a Just Society
- Ford Foundation
- Laughing Gull Foundation
- Tzedek Social Justice Fund
- The Tides’ Kicking Assets Fund
- An anonymous donor
For questions about the Out in the South Fund or information about the next request for proposals, please contact our Interim Out in the South Project, Shaena Johnson, at [email protected].
Below is a list of the local funds receiving support in the Out in the South Fund’s sixth round of grants, awarded in the fall of 2022:
| Grantee and Grant Purpose | Location | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
AR+ Collaborative: capacity building funds to support a developing funder collaborative among Arkansas based funders and LGBTQ organizations around the state. | Little Rock, AR | $50,000 |
|
Black Belt Community Foundation: to provide capacity building funds in support of a Black-led community foundation in Selma, AL to integrate LGBTQ issues into their grantmaking. | Selma, AL | $25,000 |
|
Co-Thinkk: to provide capacity building for this Western NC based POC-led community organizing and grantmaking organization to integrate LGBTQ issues into their work. | Asheville, NC | $25,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality/Southern Equality Fund: to provide capacity building for the Southern Equality Fund, which supports Southern LGBTQ grassroots organizing efforts. | Regional | $50,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality and Southern Vision Alliance: to provide funds to support the Southern Movement Infrastructure Exchange’s work. | Regional | $25,000 |
|
Contigo Fund: to provide capacity building for community-driven fund established in response to the Pulse massacre. | Orlando, FL | $50,000 |
|
LGBTQ Fund of Greater Birmingham: to provide capacity building funds in support of this LGBTQ fund in Birmingham. | Birmingham, AL | $50,000 |
|
LGBT Fund at Spartanburg County Foundation: to support this LGBTQ fund in Spartanburg. | Spartanburg, SC | $25,000 |
|
LGBT Fund of Mississippi: capacity building and matching grant funds for an LGBTQ fund in Mississippi. | Jackson, MS | $50,000 |
|
Southern Power Fund: capacity building support for a Southern movement led fund re-granting to southern movement organizations and building capacity for Southern philanthropic infrastructure. | Regional | $50,000 |
|
Southern Vision Alliance: to provide capacity building funds in support of the Queer Mobilization Fund, supporting primarily QTPOC grassroots organizing. | NC and SC | $50,000 |
|
Texas Pride Impact Fund: to provide capacity building funds for an LGBTQ fund in Texas informed by a needs assessment supported during our first year of grantmaking. | Dallas, TX | $50,000 |
TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED: $500,000
Below is a list of the local funds receiving support in the Out in the South Fund’s sixth round of grants, awarded in the fall of 2022:
| Grantee and Grant Purpose | Location | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AR+ Collaborative: capacity building funds to support the second phase of a state wide community needs assessment in Arkansas which will inform the design of a statewide fund and grantmaking strategies for Arkansas based funders. | Little Rock, AR | $50,000 |
|
Black Belt Community Foundation: to provide capacity building funds in support of Black-led community foundation in Selma to integrate LGBTQ issues into their grantmaking. | Selma, AL | $25,000 |
|
Co-Thinkk: to provide capacity building funds for this Western NC based POC led community organizing and grantmaking organization to build their capacity to integrate LGBTQ issues into their work. | Asheville, NC | $25,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality/Southern Equality Fund: to provide capacity building and matching grant funds for the Southern Equality Fund, which supports Southern LGBTQ grassroots organizing efforts. | Regional | $50,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality and Southern Vision Alliance: to provide funds for the second phase of a planning process that is building capacity for fiscal sponsorships for Southern based grassroots LGBTQ organizing efforts. | Regional | $25,000 |
|
Contigo Fund: to provide capacity building and matching funds for community-driven fund established in response to the Pulse massacre. | Orlando, FL | $50,000 |
|
LGBTQ Fund of Greater Birmingham: to provide capacity building matching funds in support of this LGBTQ fund in Birmingham. | Birmingham, AL | $50,000 |
|
LGBT Fund at Spartanburg County Foundation: to provide matching funds in support of a 4 year old LGBT fund in Spartanburg. | Spartanburg, SC | $25,000 |
|
LGBT Fund of Mississippi: to capacity building and matching grant funds for a 2 year old LGBT fund in Mississippi. | Jackson, MS | $50,000 |
|
Southern Power Fund: capacity building support for a Southern movement led fund re-granting to southern movement organizations and building capacity for Southern philanthropic infrastructure. | Regional | $50,000 |
|
Southern Vision Alliance: to provide capacity building and matching grant funds in support of the Queer Mobilization Fund supporting primarily QTPOC grassroots organizing. | NC and SC | $50,000 |
|
Texas Pride Impact Fund: to provide capacity building funds for the newly established LGBTQ fund in Texas informed by a needs assessment supported during our first year of grantmaking. | Dallas, TX | $50,000 |
TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED: $500,000
Below is a list of the local funds receiving support in the Out in the South Fund’s sixth round of grants, awarded in the fall of 2021:
| Grantee and Grant Purpose | Location | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AR+ Collaborative: capacity building funds to support the second phase of a state wide community needs assessment in Arkansas which will inform the design of a statewide fund and grantmaking strategies for Arkansas based funders. | Little Rock, AR | $70,000 |
|
Black Belt Community Foundation: to provide capacity building funds in support of Black-led community foundation in Selma to integrate LGBTQ issues into their grantmaking. | Selma, AL | $40,000 |
|
Co-Thinkk: to provide capacity building funds for this Western NC based POC led community organizing and grantmaking organization to build their capacity to integrate LGBTQ issues into their work. | Asheville, NC | $40,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality/Southern Equality Fund: to provide capacity building and matching grant funds for the Southern Equality Fund, which supports Southern LGBTQ grassroots organizing efforts. | Regional | $80,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality and Southern Vision Alliance: to provide funds for the second phase of a planning process that is building capacity for fiscal sponsorships for Southern based grassroots LGBTQ organizing efforts. | Regional | $25,000 |
|
Contigo Fund: to provide capacity building and matching funds for community-driven fund established in response to the Pulse massacre. | Orlando, FL | $80,000 |
|
LGBTQ Fund of Greater Birmingham: to provide capacity building matching funds in support of this LGBTQ fund in Birmingham. | Birmingham, AL | $60,000 |
|
LGBT Fund at Spartanburg County Foundation: to provide matching funds in support of a 4 year old LGBT fund in Spartanburg. | Spartanburg, SC | $40,000 |
|
LGBT Fund of Mississippi: to capacity building and matching grant funds for a 2 year old LGBT fund in Mississippi. | Jackson, MS | $60,000 |
|
Southern Power Fund: capacity building support for a Southern movement led fund re-granting to southern movement organizations and building capacity for Southern philanthropic infrastructure. | Regional | $80,000 |
|
Southern Vision Alliance: to provide capacity building and matching grant funds in support of the Queer Mobilization Fund supporting primarily QTPOC grassroots organizing. | NC and SC | $80,000 |
|
Texas Pride Impact Fund: to provide capacity building funds for the newly established LGBTQ fund in Texas informed by a needs assessment supported during our first year of grantmaking. | Dallas, TX | $40,000 |
TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED: $695,000
Below is a list of the local funds receiving support in the Out in the South Fund’s fifth round of grants, awarded in the fall of 2020:
| Grantee and Grant Purpose | Location | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AR+ Collaborative: capacity building funds to support the second phase of a state wide community needs assessment in Arkansas which will inform the design of a statewide fund and grantmaking strategies for Arkansas based funders. | Little Rock, AR | $40,000 |
|
Black Belt Community Foundation: to provide capacity building funds in support of Black-led community foundation in Selma to integrate LGBTQ issues into their grantmaking. | Selma, AL | $10,000 |
|
Co-Thinkk: to provide capacity building funds for this Western NC based POC led community organizing and grantmaking organization to build their capacity to integrate LGBTQ issues into their work. | Asheville, NC | $20,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality/Southern Equality Fund: to provide capacity building and matching grant funds for the Southern Equality Fund, which supports Southern LGBTQ grassroots organizing efforts. | Regional | $50,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality and Southern Vision Alliance: to provide funds for the second phase of a planning process that is building capacity for fiscal sponsorships for Southern based grassroots LGBTQ organizing efforts. | Regional | $25,000 |
|
Contigo Fund: to provide capacity building and matching funds for community-driven fund established in response to the Pulse massacre. | Orlando, FL | $50,000 |
|
LGBTQ Fund of Greater Birmingham: to provide capacity building matching funds in support of this LGBTQ fund in Birmingham. | Birmingham, AL | $50,000 |
|
LGBT Fund at Spartanburg County Foundation: to provide matching funds in support of a 4 year old LGBT fund in Spartanburg. | Spartanburg, SC | $25,000 |
|
LGBT Fund of Mississippi: to capacity building and matching grant funds for a 2 year old LGBT fund in Mississippi. | Jackson, MS | $50,000 |
|
Southern Power Fund: capacity building support for a Southern movement led fund re-granting to southern movement organizations and building capacity for Southern philanthropic infrastructure. | Regional | $50,000 |
|
Southern Vision Alliance: to provide capacity building and matching grant funds in support of the Queer Mobilization Fund supporting primarily QTPOC grassroots organizing. | NC and SC | $50,000 |
|
Texas Pride Impact Fund: to provide capacity building funds for the newly established LGBTQ fund in Texas informed by a needs assessment supported during our first year of grantmaking. | Dallas, TX | $30,000 |
TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED: $450,000
Below is a list of the local funds receiving support in the Out in the South Fund’s third round of grants, awarded in the fall of 2019:
| Grantee and Grant Purpose | Location | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
AR+ Collaborative: capacity building funds to support the second phase of a state wide community needs assessment in Arkansas which will inform the design of a statewide fund and grantmaking strategies for Arkansas based funders. | Little Rock, AR | $40,000 |
|
Co-Thinkk: to provide capacity building funds for this Western NC based POC led community organizing and grantmaking organization to build their capacity to integrate LGBTQ issues into their work. | Asheville, NC | $20,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality/Southern Equality Fund: to provide capacity building and matching grant funds for the Southern Equality Fund, which supports Southern LGBTQ grassroots organizing efforts. | Regional | $50,000 |
|
Campaign for Southern Equality and Southern Vision Alliance: to provide funds for the second phase of a planning process that is building capacity for fiscal sponsorships for Southern based grassroots LGBTQ organizing efforts. | Regional | $25,000 |
|
Contigo Fund: to provide capacity building and matching funds for community-driven fund established in response to the Pulse massacre. | Orlando, FL | $50,000 |
|
LGBTQ Fund of Greater Birmingham: to provide capacity building matching funds in support of this LGBTQ fund in Birmingham. | Birmingham, AL | $50,000 |
|
LGBT Fund at Spartanburg County Foundation: to provide matching funds in support of a 4 year old LGBT fund in Spartanburg. | Spartanburg, SC | $25,000 |
|
LGBT Fund of Mississippi: to capacity building and matching grant funds for a 2 year old LGBT fund in Mississippi. | Jackson, MS | $50,000 |
 |
OUT Miami Foundation: to provide capacity building funds in support of LGBTQ foundation focused on engaging young donors of color in Miami. | Miami, FL | $10,000 |
|
Southern Vision Alliance: to provide capacity building and matching grant funds in support of the Queer Mobilization Fund supporting primarily QTPOC grassroots organizing. | NC and SC | $50,000 |
|
Texas Pride Impact Fund: to provide capacity building funds for the newly established LGBTQ fund in Texas informed by a needs assessment supported during our first year of grantmaking. | Dallas, TX | $30,000 |
TOTAL AMOUNT AWARDED: $400,000
Below is a list of the local funds receiving support in the Out in the South Fund’s third round of grants, awarded in the fall of 2018:
 |
$50,000 Regional/Tennessee $50,000 for the Appalachian Community Fund’s LGBT Fund to provide capacity-building and matching funds for this LGBTQ fund serving rural Appalachia (Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia). |
 |
$50,000 Regional $50,000 for Campaign for Southern Equality’s Southern Equality Fund to provide capacity- building and matching funds to support Southern LGBTQ grassroots organizing efforts across the region. |
 |
$25,000 Regional $25,000 to Campaign for Southern Equality and Southern Vision Alliance to provide funds for a planning process to build capacity for fiscal sponsorships for Southern-based grassroots LGBTQ organizing efforts. |
 |
$50,000 Florida $50,000 for the Contigo Fund to provide capacity-building and matching funds for this community-driven fund supporting LGBTQ and Latinx communities in Central Florida established in response to the Pulse Nightclub Massacre. |
 |
$50,000 Louisiana $50,000 to the LGBT Fund at the Greater New Orleans Community Foundation to provide capacity-building and matching funds for an LGBTQ fund serving Greater New Orleans. |
 |
$40,000 Florida $40,000 for the HIV/AIDS Fund at Our Fund to provide capacity-building and matching funds for this LGBTQ fund to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Southern Florida in partnership with community-based organizations led by impacted communities. |
 |
$50,000 Alabama $50,000 to the LGBTQ Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to provide capacity-building and matching funds in support of this LGBTQ fund serving greater Birmingham. |
 |
$25,000 South Carolina $25,000 for the LGBT Fund at Spartanburg County Foundation to provide matching funds in support of an LGBTQ fund in Spartanburg South Carolina. |
 |
$50,000 Mississippi $50,000 for the LGBT Fund of Mississippi to provide capacity-building and matching funds for this LGBT fund in Mississippi. |
 |
$40,000 Florida $40,000 for the OUT Miami Foundation to provide capacity-building and matching funds in support of this LGBTQ foundation focused on engaging young donors of color in Miami. |
 |
$50,000 North Carolina/South Carolina $50,000 for the Queer Mobilization Fund at Southern Vision Alliance to provide capacity-building and matching fund in providing rapid response funding for queer and trans people of color grassroots organizing. |
 |
$40,000 Texas $40,000 for Texas Pride Impact Fund to provide capacity-building and matching funds for this LGBTQ fund in Texas informed by a needs assessment supported during first year of grantmaking. |
Special thanks to the funding and collaboration of several national and Southern funders, who make the Out in the South Fund possible:
- The Arcus Foundation
- The Chartrand Family Foundation
- The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
- The Foundation for a Just Society
- Laughing Gull Foundation
- The Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund
- The Tides’ Kicking Assets Fund
- An anonymous donor
Below is a list of the local funds receiving support in the Out in the South Fund’s second round of grants, awarded in the summer of 2017:
|
$50,000 Regional/Tennessee The Appalachian Community Fund’s GLBTQ Initiative to support planning for the expansion of an LGBTQ fund serving rural Appalachia (TN, KY, VA, WV). |
|
$50,000 Regional Campaign for Southern Equality’s Southern Equality Fund to provide matching grant funds for the Southern Equality Fund, which supports Southern LGBTQ grassroots organizing efforts. |
|
$40,000 Florida Contigo Fund to support planning for donor development for the newly established, community-driven fund established in response to the Pulse massacre. |
 |
$50,000 Louisiana Foundation for Louisiana to provide matching grants for a developing collaborative fund in Louisiana to support state-wide LGBTQ organizing. |
|
$25,000 Florida HIV-AIDS Fund at Our Fund to support planning for a developing fund to address the HIV-AIDS epidemic in Southern Florida in partnership with community-based-organizations and led by impacted communities. |
 |
$40,000 Florida The LGBT Community Fund for Northeast Florida to support planning for a community needs assessment and strategic planning for the fund. |
|
$40,000 Alabama The LGBTQ Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to provide matching funds in support of this 3 year old LGBTQ fund in Birmingham. |
|
$25,000 South Carolina LGBT Fund at The Spartanburg County Foundation to provide matching funds in support of newly established LGBT fund in Spartanburg. |
|
$50,000 Mississippi LGBT Fund of Mississippi at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson to provide support for a statewide community assessment to inform funding strategies for a newly established fund in Mississippi. |
 |
$25,000 Georgia The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta’s Lorde-Rustin Giving Circle to provide matching dollars for this Black LGBTQ giving circle focused on LGBTQ youth in Atlanta. |
|
$40,000 Florida The OUT Miami Foundation to provide matching funds in support of LGBTQ foundation focused on engaging young donors of color in Miami. |
|
$30,000 North Carolina/South Carolina Queer Mobilization Fund @ Southern Vision Alliance to support planning for expansion of existing fund supporting primarily grassroots organizing in LGBTQ communities of color in North Carolina. |
|
$40,000 Texas Texas Pride Impact Funds to provide matching funds for newly established LGBTQ fund in Texas informed by a needs assessment supported during first year of grantmaking. |
Special thanks to the funding and collaboration of several national and Southern funders, who make the Out in the South Fund possible:
- The Arcus Foundation
- The Chartrand Family Foundation
- The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
- The Freeman Foundation
- Laughing Gull Foundation
- The Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund
- An anonymous donor
Below is a list of the local funds receiving support in the Out in the South Fund’s first round of grants, awarded in the summer of 2016:
|
$50,000 Tennessee/Regional The Appalachian Community Fund’s GLBTQ Initiative will partner with community-based organizations to expand an LGBTQ fund serving rural Appalachia (Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia) with a focus on engaging young people. |
|
$50,000 Regional Campaign for Southern Equality’s Southern Equality Fund will hone its strategy to provide support and capacity building for grassroots LGBTQ work across the South. |
|
$49,800 Louisiana Foundation for Louisiana will bring together Louisiana-based funders and LGBTQ advocates in the state to identify funding strategies that will build the capacity of LGBTQ communities across the state. |
 |
$50,000 Louisiana The Greater New Orleans Foundation’s LGBT Fund, a newly established LGBT fund, will receive a matching grant that will increase resources available to local LGBTQ organizations in New Orleans. |
 |
$49,000 Kentucky JustFundKY, a long-standing LGBTQ fund in Kentucky, will develop a strategy for planned giving to increase support for LGBTQ organizations across the state. |
|
$50,000 Florida The LGBT Community Fund for Northeast Florida will receive a matching grant to build its donor base and increase resources for LGBTQ organizations in Jacksonville. |
|
$50,000 Alabama The LGBTQ Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham will build on a recently completed community needs assessment to develop its donor base and grantmaking strategies to support LGBTQ organizations in the Birmingham area. |
|
$50,000 Georgia The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta’s Lorde-Rustin Giving Circle, the region’s only giving circle developing Black donors, will receive a matching grant to support the work of LGBTQ organizations in Atlanta. |
|
$30,000 Florida The OUT Miami Foundation will increase its capacity to cultivate young people of color as donors and supporters of LGBTQ organizations in Miami. |
 |
$50,000 Georgia/Regional Southerners On New Ground (SONG) will explore the most effective structure for a potential new fund to support grassroots organizing in LGBTQ communities of color in the South. |
|
$50,000 Texas Texas Pride Impact Funds, a newly established fund, will conduct a needs assessment to inform the development of its grantmaking priorities aimed at supporting LGBTQ organizations in Texas. |
Special thanks to the funding and collaboration of several national and Southern funders, who make the Out in the South Fund possible:
- The Arcus Foundation
- The Chartrand Family Foundation
- The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
- The Tides Foundation – Kicking Assets Fund
- Laughing Gull Foundation
- The Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund
- The Palette Fund
- An anonymous donor