ABOVE: Lake Eola in Orlando. (Photo from pixabay.com)
ORLANDO | Contigo Fund, a Central Florida-based nonprofit whose purpose is to identify and support grassroots efforts that advance Latinx and LGBTQ causes, is extending the deadline on its COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Cycle. The grants intend to offer assistance and support to LGBTQ organizations impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our goal is to ensure that our community has access to funding that accommodates their needs,” Marco Antonio Quiroga, director of Contigo Fund, said in a press release Sept. 21.
The program offers two types of grants meant to assist during the current pandemic. The first offers relief in the form of micro-grants ranging from $250 to $750 for the purpose of covering utility bills for organizations, outstanding fees incurred during the pandemic or year-round subscriptions to digital platforms that will increase the organization’s capacity to adapt to the new digital norm.
The second provides grants up to $5,000 on project-based support for organizations launching or struggling to sustain essential programs during the COVID-19 crisis. The programs must provide services to “the LGBTQ community and the many intersecting identities they are a part of.”
These emergency grants are offered through a $50,000 fund set aside by Contigo Fund at the beginning of the pandemic. Applications for the project-based grants, originally due by Sept. 21, have been extended until Sept. 28. Applications for the micro-grants will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis. Groups may apply for either grant or both as long as they meet the individual requirements.
According to the application website, grants will not be awarded to efforts not principally supporting LGBTQ individuals, efforts outside of Central Florida, 501(c)4 direct lobbying activities, for charity, direct cash assistance or individual scholarships, sponsor conferences, fundraisers or other annual or one-time events or efforts led by other philanthropic grantmaking institutions or for the purpose of re-granting.
Contigo Funds COVID-19 grant programs follow the same model established by the nonprofit during its Hurricane Maria grant program. The current grant program is meant as supplement support raised for individuals most in need through the Central Florida LGBTQ+ Relief Fund, which was launched by Contigo Fund in April, and championed by One Orlando Alliance, The LGBTQ+ Center, QLatinx and the Bros In Convo. That program has raised nearly $70,000 which led to more than 300 direct cash payments to those in need.
Anyone wanting to apply for a Contigo Fund project-based or micro grants, click here. If you would like to donate to the Central Florida LGBTQ+ Relief Fund, click here.
