Horizons has already awarded our POCIBLE grants for 2009. If you wish to be included on the email list for future grants, please email your contact information (including mailing address) to info [at] horizonsfoundation [dot] org with "Grants Mailing List" in the subject header.

If you have any questions, please contact Jewelle Gomez, Director of Grants and Community Initiatives, at 415.398.2333 x116 or jgomez [at] horizonsfoundation [dot] org.

 
POCIBLE: People of Color Initiative to Build Leadership and Effectiveness
Horizons Foundation has long recognized - and been committed to addressing - the particular and persistent challenges that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people of color and their organizations face. Not surprisingly, many of these reflect the historical and contemporary racism of US society in general. Beyond those, other challenges include low levels of foundation funding; smaller administrative capacity to support an organization's work; and fewer opportunities for LGBT leaders of color to network at the professional and social gatherings where information and contacts are exchanged.

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 this new program, POCIBLE: People of Color Initiative to Build Leadership and Effectiveness.

Program Goals
The POCIBLE grants will address four major goals:
• To build the capacity of POC/LGBT organizations to ensure that they are strong, visible, effective, and sustainable.
• To develop strong, capable, inspired, and supported leaders working actively within the LGBT community, especially but not exclusively in POC/LGBT organizations.
• To build community, both among POC/LGBT organizations and leaders as well as between POC/LGBT and non-POC/LGBT organizations and leaders.
• To strengthen the larger LGBT movement.

Funding Options
There are two types of POCIBLE grants, based on the size of your organization's budget. Organizations of all sizes also have the option to apply for Rickey Williams Fellowships in conjunction with their grants. (Please refer to the RFP for more details.)

1. Organizational Capacity-Building Grants (for larger organizations)
Horizons will invest in multi-year capacity building for POC/LGBT organizations with budgets above $50,000 and with at least one paid staff member. Grants are to be used towards 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. Organizations applying for these grants may also apply for a Rickey Williams Fellowship (see below).

2. Organizational Capacity-Building Grants (for smaller organizations)
We will also make strategic capacity-building grants of $2,000 to $5,000 to organizations with budgets under $50,000 and with volunteer staff. These grants would help organizations that are beginning to build their infrastructure by providing support for specific, short-term projects. Organizations applying for these grants may also apply for a Rickey Williams Fellowship (see below).

Rickey Williams Fellowships (optional, for all organizations)
Supporting POC/LGBT leaders at different points in their development is a key aspect of the POCIBLE program. The Rickey Williams Fellowships address the needs of emerging or "second-tier" leaders (such as development directors and program directors). Organizations of all sizes may nominate a current staff member or another individual they would like to work with them on their capacity-building project. The fellowship provides a stipend of $2,000 (including funds for a professional coach). The awardees work directly with other professionals in their organization on a specific project that benefits their organization's capacity building and provides leadership skills for the fellow. Horizons will facilitate coaching, mentoring, and convenings for the fellows.

Funding Eligibility
POCIBLE grants are intended to support autonomous POC/LGBT organizations that work with and in a POC/LGBT community. To be eligible for one of these grants, a majority of the organization's board, staff, and the population served must be people of color. For the Rickey Williams Fellowships, the individual being nominated must be an LGBT person of color.

Organizations have the following funding possibilities:
• Option 1 - Capacity-building grants for organizations with at least one paid staff person and budgets over $50,000.
• Option 1 plus Rickey Williams Fellowship
• Option 2 - Capacity-building grants for organizations with all-volunteer staff and budgets under $50,000
• Option 2 plus Rickey Williams Fellowship

Proposal Process and Due Date
Please provide three complete copies of the proposal (one original and two copies). Copies should be double-sided. However, please include only one set of any relevant brochures, flyers, or other promotional/outreach materials. Also, you only need to include one copy of your audited financial statement. After we receive your proposal, Horizons Foundation staff may arrange a meeting to discuss any questions we have and hear any further thoughts you have about the program.

All proposals must be signed and have a postmark date of March 6, 2009. You may also deliver your completed proposal to Horizons' office by 5:00 p.m. on March 6, 2009.

Mail your completed proposal and any promotional material(s) to:

Jewelle Gomez
Director of Grants and Community Initiatives
Horizons Foundation
870 Market Street, Suite 728
San Francisco, CA 94102

Horizons will announce the awards in April.