Meet the Fund at Ark Valley Pride on June 7 to Learn More

(CHAFFEE COUNTY, CO) May 24, 2025 – The Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund is proud to announce its 2025 grant cycle, now entering its second year with $10,000 in available funding. These grants will support innovative and inclusive projects that uplift the LGBTQ+ community across the Arkansas River Valley region. Grants will be awarded in September 2025, and applications will be accepted from June 9 through July 11.

The Fund encourages nonprofits, grassroots organizations, government entities, and fiscally sponsored groups to apply. Projects should be designed to take place between October 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026.

Focus Areas

This year, the Fund will prioritize proposals in the following categories:

● Supportive Space: Initiatives that promote belonging and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals through social, recreational, or other inclusive services.

● Inclusive Services: Efforts to make existing programs more accessible and affirming for the LGBTQ+ community, such as staff training or program redesign.

● Other: Innovative ideas aligned with the Fund’s values are welcome; however, priority will be given to proposals focused on the two categories above.

Projects with clearly defined activities, measurable outcomes, and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion will be most competitive.

Meet Us at Ark Valley Pride – June 7, 2025 2 pm – 5 pm

To help applicants prepare, representatives from the Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund will host a booth at Ark Valley Pride Resource Fair on June 7, 2-5 pm in Riverside Park. Community members can stop by to learn more about the grant process, eligibility, and how to apply.

“This grant is a chance to make a real impact by centering the voices and needs of the LGBTQ+ community,” said John McGowan, Chair, Steering Committee. “Whether you have a well-established program or a brand-new idea, we encourage you to stop by and explore how this funding can help bring your vision to life.”

How to Apply

The application portal will open on June 9 and close on July 11. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the Grant Application Questions, Scoring Rubric, and full eligibility criteria on the Fund’s website at www.arvlgbtqfund.org.

Applicants can also request mentorship support to help develop their proposal by contacting the Steering Committee at