loading...
Make your school more open and inclusive.
The It Gets Better Project is funding 50 Grants in 50 States to support projects uplifting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth.
If you had up to $10,000 to make your school better for LGBTQ+ students, what would you do?
We’re looking to fund projects that uplift, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ youth in schools in all 50 states. Do you want to install a mural highlighting all identities within the LGBTQ+ community, boost your library’s range of literature from LGBTQ+ authors, or help your GSA fund your first-ever Pride Week? We want to help you do it!
Whether your school is already an inclusive safe haven or you need community support just to start your GSA–whatever your path, we want to hear how your school could benefit from $10,000. Grants are brought to you by the It Gets Better Project with support from American Eagle and Aerie and we’re looking for your creative and impactful ideas to support LGBTQ+ youth.
SUBMIT YOUR EMAILBuild your community. Better your campus. Strengthen your GSA.
No matter how you want to create change, we want to hear about your project.
Every school faces different challenges, so make your project unique to your needs. What do you want to see changed? What projects can make your school more inclusive?
Whatever your project, make sure there are ways to measure impact. Can you survey your student body to get before/after metrics? Can you count how many times a particular book is checked out from the library in a given school year?
Schools are built for collaboration, and we want to see students and teachers work together to create a more uplifting, empowering space for LGBTQ+ youth. Show us how your project brings together these groups to make your campus a better place for all.
To view the full list of eligibility criteria, application questions, and a sample budget, click here.
To download a PDF of the Grant Overview + Guidelines, click here.
Check out these previously-recorded Zoom sessions for more helpful Q & A!
Your application will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
School Environment: 15%
Project Vision: 50%
Project Budget: 15%
Overall Review: 20%
Priority Criteria: +10% BONUS
Here is our current grant application timeline:
Jan 9, 2023: Application Portal Opens
Mar 15, 2023: Application Portal Closes
Mar - May 2023: Application Review
May - June 2023: Notify Grantees of Final Decisions
July - August 2023: Paperwork + Distribution of Funds
We are funding projects presented by LGBTQ+ youth and educators like you who are interested and determined to make a positive impact on your school. You can see some great examples of how your funds can be spent in the section above.
Grants do NOT fund research, political activities, scholarships, or individual needs. Grants can NOT benefit only one student.
We are so sorry you are having difficulty with the application process. Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.
Every application must be submitted by a faculty member (teacher, administrator, advisor, etc) at the school AND a student signatory. In our grant application platform, there is an ability to collaborate with different people. If you are having technical questions, please contact Submittable.
If your school doesn't have a GSA or LGBTQ+ related club/organization, do not hesitate to apply. During your application, we ask you to provide us with some information on your school’s history with LGBTQ+ student support/curriculum.
Yes! We will be hosting community webinars about the grant application and any other questions, comments or concerns that may come up for you all throughout the application process. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications.
All project plans for this grant must be executable within one school year. Per the grant eligibility requirements, any funds given from this grant must be used by the end of the grant cycle. We encourage you to create a project timeline for yourself in order to ensure your project plan is executed by the one year mark.
We understand that receiving funds is very different state to state, even school to school. Please be prepared to share what method is currently used and is best for your school in your application. We will work with grant recipients to make sure funds are used exclusively for the proposed project. The full grant amount will be distributed by September 1, 2023.
Mistakes happen! Typos, missing files, wrong attachments, we get it. Open-for-editing requests will be available before the submission deadline of March 15. If we notice a mistake with your application during the review process, we reserve the right to only reach out to certain applicants. For more information, visit the Submittable Resource Center.
Once you create your free account with Submittable, our application platform, you can save the draft of your application at any point. Please note that we will not be able to review any applications until they are successfully submitted.
View the full list of application questions above.
Absolutely! We are excited at the opportunity of having multiple schools partner together to create a greater network of support for LGBTQ+ students in your area. In your application, please be very clear to describe exactly what your project is, all involved parties and schools, and have a designated lead school and contact in the designated fields. Please note that grants will be awarded up to $10,000 per application, meaning that schools applying in partnerships or districts could end up receiving fewer dollars per school.
Yes, you can! While we are looking to give grants to new schools across the country, we are also able to support current grantees who have shown themselves to be exceptional during their grant year.
We are also launching the It Gets Better - Youth Grants initiative in Canada to support 2SLGBTQ+ students!
If your question isn't answered above in the FAQ or in the previous Zoom sessions, you can email 50grants@itgetsbetter.org
Sign up for guidance, project ideas, and tips to create the best version of your school’s proposed project.
Subscribe today to get a copy of our Educator Toolkit, and other information about activating your student body.
The current grant cycle is closed. Please submit your email to be notified of the next cycle announcement.
SUBMIT YOUR EMAILThis campaign is brought to you by the
It Gets Better Project, supported by Aerie and American Eagle.