Horizons Foundation has long recognized - and been committed to addressing - the particular and persistent challenges that LGBT people of color and their organizations face. To help a core of people of color LGBT (POC/LGBT) organizations and individuals develop the capacity to play sustaining leadership roles in the LGBT community, Horizons has made investing in this area one of our grantmaking priorities, particularly through POCIBLE: People of Color Initiative to Build Leadership and Effectiveness.

There are two types of POCIBLE grants, based on the size of an organization's budget. Organizations of all sizes also had the option to apply for Rickey Williams Fellowships in conjunction with their grants.

Larger Organizations
Horizons is investing in multi-year capacity building for POC/LGBT organizations with budgets above $50,000 and with at least one paid staff member. These grants are targeted for capacity building, which includes - but is not limited to - strategic or fundraising planning, board governance, staffing, financial infrastructure, marketing, and IT (information technology). These grants include funds to be used specifically for professional coaching for the executive director and/or the chair of the board of the organization.

AIDS Project East Bay - $15,000
For capacity building related to the organization's technological systems (automated accounting system, medical data and billing, and network)

Black Coalition on AIDS - $25,000
For BCOA's Project Build, a multi-faceted approach to developing their donor base, customizing professional fundraising tools, and launching donor campaigns and their redesigned website

Gente Latina de Ambiente (GELAAM) - $15,000
For organizational and administrative development, including the creation and implementation of strategic and fundraising plans

Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project - $20,000
For leadership transition planning and a Mentorship Project to develop "second-tier" leaders in the organizations

TGI Justice Project - $15,000
For planning for a leadership transition, restructuring aspects of the organization, and increasing the involvement and leadership of members

Smaller Organizations
We also makes strategic capacity-building grants to organizations with budgets under $50,000 and with volunteer staff. These grants help organizations that are beginning to build their infrastructure by providing support for specific, short-term projects.

Asian & Pacific Islander Family Pride - $3,000
For organizing materials to help with grantwriting, redesigning their wesbite, and upgrading their database

Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition - $3,000
For developing an online presence to help reach new members, publicize events, and fundraise

Song That Radio - $3,000
For completing a comprehensive analysis of the organization and its impact, as well as developing fundraising and marketing strategies

Trikone - $5,000
For assessing the organization's mission, goals, structure, and programs, and developing a strategic plan

Rickey Williams Fellowships
Named in honor of a Bay Area activist, the Rickey Williams Fellowships address the needs of emerging or "second-tier" leaders (such as development directors and program directors). The awardee (which may be a current staff member or another individual) works directly with other professionals in the organization on a specific project that benefits their organization's capacity building and provides leadership skills for the fellow. The fellowship provides a stipend of $2,000 (including funds for a professional coach).

Javarre Cordero Wilson, Black Coalition on AIDS
Angel C. Fabian, Gente Latina de Ambiente (GELAAM)
Duc Le, Song That Radio
Miss Major, TGI Justice Project
Aryenish Birdie, Trikone

Phase 2 Grantees
Thanks to a major grant from the Community Leadership Project, Horizons was able to make additional POCIBLE grants to POC/LGBT organizations with budgets between $25,000 and $2 million. As with the larger organizations above, the grants include funds to be used specifically for professional coaching for the executive director and/or the chair of the board of the organization.

Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits - $15,000
For implementing recommendations from an organizational assessment, including a redesign of their website

El/La Transgender Latina HIV Prevention Program - $10,000
For expanding the TUYA! Program, which addresses leadership development, social participation, and coalition building for transgender Latinas

Gay Asian Pacific Alliance - $15,000
For a community needs assessment and the creation of a strategic plan identifying GAPA's role in meeting those needs

Mangos with Chili - $15,000
For documenting/archiving of the group's performances, strategic planning, and leadership development

Purple Moon Dance Project - $20,000
For leadership transition planning and the development of a strategic plan

Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project - $15,000
For leadership transition planning and a Mentorship Project to develop "second-tier" leaders in the organizations

TGI Justice Project - $10,000
For planning for a leadership transition, restructuring aspects of the organization, and increasing the involvement and leadership of members

Trikone - $10,000
For assessing the organization's mission, goals, structure, and programs, and developing a strategic plan

Read about previous fellowship winners...