Out in the South Fund

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 $500,000 to 12 LGBTQ funds and allied grantmaking organizations throughout the South in 2023. Now in its eighth grantmaking cycle, the Fund has distributed nearly $3.7 million dollars to catalyze locally-driven Southern funds to move resources in support of LGBTQ movement work in the South.

2023 Grantee Cohort

 

 

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 via Alternate ROOTS: 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

Special thanks to the funding and collaboration of several national and Southern funders, who make the Out in the South Fund possible:

 

 

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 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:

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:

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: