How to Apply
Arcus Foundation Funding Guidelines
Arcus Foundation Funding Guidelines
The Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that supports organizations around the world working in two areas - lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) human rights; and conservation of the world's great apes. In the former area, we support organizations that are working to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race. In the latter area, we support organizations seeking to ensure respect and survival of great apes and their natural habitat. These guidelines are designed to help grant seekers understand the Foundation's priorities and application procedures.
If you have questions about these guidelines, please write to
or contact the relevant staff person for your area of interest.
Arcus Funding Areas
The Arcus LGBT Program
Supports organizations that are working to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race.
The Arcus Great Apes Program
Supports organizations seeking to ensure respect and survival of great apes and their natural habitat.
Four-Step Application Process
For U.S. based organizations: Please confirm that your organization is eligible under our stated criteria - are you a tax-exempt organization under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the IRS regulations AND is your non-discrimination or EEO policy compliant with our requirements?
For non-U.S. based organizations: Please confirm that your non-discrimination or EEO policy is compliant with our requirements. Documentation of articles of incorporation and by-laws will be requested when a proposal is invited.
Organizations with non-compliant EEO policies will not be considered for funding.
STEP 2: Contact Arcus Foundation Staff
You must contact an Arcus Foundation staff person to discuss your interest and your ideas for a request. The contact information for the appropriate person for each program area can be found here.
STEP 3: Submit an LOI (Letter of Inquiry) Form
Submit a formal LOI Form to the Foundation, following the procedures detailed here. The LOI Form can be downloaded here.
STEP 4: If Invited, Submit a Full Grant Proposal
After reviewing your Letter of Inquiry, the Foundation will inform you as to whether a full proposal is being invited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arcus Grant Forms
The Arcus LGBT Program
Supports organizations that are working to achieve social justice that is inclusive of sexual orientation, gender identity and race.
The Arcus Great Apes Program
Supports organizations seeking to ensure respect and survival of great apes and their natural habitat.
Four-Step Application Process
All organizations must follow our four-step grant application process. We have streamlined some aspects of Steps 3 and 4 for applicants that have received funding from Arcus within the last three years. Details for each step are included below.
STEP 1: Confirm EligibilityFor U.S. based organizations: Please confirm that your organization is eligible under our stated criteria - are you a tax-exempt organization under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the IRS regulations AND is your non-discrimination or EEO policy compliant with our requirements?
For non-U.S. based organizations: Please confirm that your non-discrimination or EEO policy is compliant with our requirements. Documentation of articles of incorporation and by-laws will be requested when a proposal is invited.
Organizations with non-compliant EEO policies will not be considered for funding.
STEP 2: Contact Arcus Foundation Staff
You must contact an Arcus Foundation staff person to discuss your interest and your ideas for a request. The contact information for the appropriate person for each program area can be found here.
STEP 3: Submit an LOI (Letter of Inquiry) Form
Submit a formal LOI Form to the Foundation, following the procedures detailed here. The LOI Form can be downloaded here.
STEP 4: If Invited, Submit a Full Grant Proposal
After reviewing your Letter of Inquiry, the Foundation will inform you as to whether a full proposal is being invited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Arcus Grant Forms
"Rolling" Grant Making and Board Review Timing
The Arcus Foundation has a flexible application process for Letters of Inquiry and full proposals, called "rolling grantmaking." We will accept and review your Letter of Inquiry Form at any time.
The Foundation's Board of Directors reviews staff recommendations on all invited proposals and makes decisions. There will be four Board meetings over the course of a year at which grant awards will be made. We ask that all potential grant applicants contact the appropriate staff person four to six months in advance of the requested project start date in order to allow sufficient time for an invited proposal to be fully reviewed and for the applicant to be notified of the Board's decision before the start date.
Grant applicants should carefully follow the steps outlined on this page before submitting written requests to the Foundation.
What We Fund
- Requests for general operating support.
- Project support for specific programs.
- Public policy advocacy and organizing campaigns.
- Public policy research and its dissemination.
- Capital projects.
- Organizational capacity building.
- No grants are made to individuals.
- No grants are made for scholarships, lobbying purposes, political campaigns, film production, or medical research.
STEP 1: Confirm Eligibility
The first thing you need to do is make sure you comply with the Foundation's eligibility requirements:
For U.S. based organizations:
1. Be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. An organization based outside the U.S. must demonstrate that it is a U.S. 501 (c)(3) equivalent.
2. Have in place a board-approved Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy that specifically includes and lists sexual orientation and gender identity, and requires compliance with all other applicable federal and local EEO laws. Organizations with non-compliant EEO policies will not be considered for funding.
3. Have a funding request that aligns with the Foundation's areas of priority in either of its two programs.
(See What We Fund.)
For non-U.S. based organizations:
1. Have in place a board-approved Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy that specifically includes and lists sexual orientation and gender identity, and requires compliance with all other applicable federal and local EEO laws. Organizations with non-compliant EEO policies will not be considered for funding.
2. Documentation of articles of incorporation and by-laws will be requested when a proposal is invited. We will then determine if your organization is an U.S. 501(c)(3) equivalent.
3. Have a funding request that aligns with the Foundation's areas of priority in either of its two programs.
(See What We Fund.)
The first thing you need to do is make sure you comply with the Foundation's eligibility requirements:
For U.S. based organizations:
1. Be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. An organization based outside the U.S. must demonstrate that it is a U.S. 501 (c)(3) equivalent.
2. Have in place a board-approved Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy that specifically includes and lists sexual orientation and gender identity, and requires compliance with all other applicable federal and local EEO laws. Organizations with non-compliant EEO policies will not be considered for funding.
3. Have a funding request that aligns with the Foundation's areas of priority in either of its two programs.
(See What We Fund.)
For non-U.S. based organizations:
1. Have in place a board-approved Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy that specifically includes and lists sexual orientation and gender identity, and requires compliance with all other applicable federal and local EEO laws. Organizations with non-compliant EEO policies will not be considered for funding.
2. Documentation of articles of incorporation and by-laws will be requested when a proposal is invited. We will then determine if your organization is an U.S. 501(c)(3) equivalent.
3. Have a funding request that aligns with the Foundation's areas of priority in either of its two programs.
(See What We Fund.)
STEP 2: Contact Arcus Foundation Staff
All potential and returning grant seekers must contact a foundation staff person before you send us anything. This gives the Arcus staff the opportunity to discuss your organization and your ideas for a request.
For inquiries about the Arcus LGBT Program:
Please call or e-mail Marie Stevenson, Program Assistant, +44.1223.451050 or
All potential and returning grant seekers must contact a foundation staff person before you send us anything. This gives the Arcus staff the opportunity to discuss your organization and your ideas for a request.
For inquiries about the Arcus LGBT Program:
- Michigan LGBT Rights - West Michigan, including all Michigan Racial & Economic Justice Initiative inquiries
- Please call or email Myron Cobbs, Program Assistant, 269.373.4373 x 110 or
- Michigan LGBT Rights - East Michigan & Upper Peninsula Region inquiries
- Please call or email Bashar Makhay, Program Assistant, 269.373.4373 x 106 or
- National LGBT Rights
- Please call or email Morgan Cousins, Temporary Program Assistant, 212.488.3000 or
- International LGBT Human Rights
- Please call or email Myles Gideon, Program Assistant, 212.488.3000 or
- Religion & Values
- Please call or email Santiago Lopez, Program Associate, 212.488.3000 or
- Racial Justice, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity
- Please call or email Morgan Cousins, Temporary Program Assistant, 212.488.3000 or
- Other Inquiries
- Please call or email Myles Gideon, Program Assistant, 212.488.3000 or
Please call or e-mail Marie Stevenson, Program Assistant, +44.1223.451050 or
STEP 3: Submit an LOI (Letter of Inquiry) Form and any required attachments.
All applicants must submit an LOI Form. If you have been funded by the Arcus Foundation over the last three years, you are exempted from some of the requirements of this process, as detailed below. An LOI Form can be downloaded here.
Required Attachments for new applicants and current grantees:
If you cannot e-mail your LOI Form and attachments, you have the option of mailing them to the Michigan office of the Arcus Foundation.
All applicants must submit an LOI Form. If you have been funded by the Arcus Foundation over the last three years, you are exempted from some of the requirements of this process, as detailed below. An LOI Form can be downloaded here.
Required Attachments for new applicants and current grantees:
- If your organization has not been funded by the Arcus Foundation over the past three years, you must attach your IRS 501(c)(3) letter and a copy of your EEO Policy to the LOI Form.
- If your organization has been funded by the Arcus Foundation over the past three years, you are not required to include your IRS 501(c)(3) letter or your EEO Policy with the LOI Form. You are also not required to complete a portion of the Form. You must, however, submit an LOI Form with each new funding request.
If you cannot e-mail your LOI Form and attachments, you have the option of mailing them to the Michigan office of the Arcus Foundation.
Grant Application
Arcus Foundation
402 East Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
STEP 4:
For those Invited, Submit a Full Grant Proposal
The final step in the grant application process is the submission of a full proposal. Only organizations specifically invited by the Foundation to submit a full proposal may do so.
• The deadline for submission of a full proposal will be provided in the letter of invitation sent by the Foundation.
• Consideration of proposals received after this deadline will be postponed to a future board meeting date.
Proposal Review Process
The Foundation will review full proposals and make site visits if necessary. Final decisions will be made by the Foundation's Board which meets to review funding requests four times each year. Your program officer will inform you of the approximate date when you will receive notification of the Foundation's decision. Applicants are notified of the decision in writing after the board meets.
PROPOSAL FORMAT
Requirements for the full proposal have been streamlined for those applicants that have received funding from Arcus over the past three years.
Full Proposals For All Applicants Must Include:
Complete and sign the Grant Proposal Cover Sheet.
2. Proposal Narrative
• For applicants requesting General Operating Support, provide the information in sections A-C for the organization as a whole.
• For applicants requesting Project Support, provide the information in sections A and C for the project and in section B for the organization.
Please attach the following:
1. List of Board of Directors with affiliations.
2. Financial Information:
For those Invited, Submit a Full Grant Proposal
The final step in the grant application process is the submission of a full proposal. Only organizations specifically invited by the Foundation to submit a full proposal may do so.
• The deadline for submission of a full proposal will be provided in the letter of invitation sent by the Foundation.
• Consideration of proposals received after this deadline will be postponed to a future board meeting date.
Proposal Review Process
The Foundation will review full proposals and make site visits if necessary. Final decisions will be made by the Foundation's Board which meets to review funding requests four times each year. Your program officer will inform you of the approximate date when you will receive notification of the Foundation's decision. Applicants are notified of the decision in writing after the board meets.
PROPOSAL FORMAT
Requirements for the full proposal have been streamlined for those applicants that have received funding from Arcus over the past three years.
Full Proposals For All Applicants Must Include:
1. Arcus Grant Proposal Cover Sheet1. Arcus Grant Proposal Cover Sheet
2. Proposal Narrative
3. Attachments:A. Board of Directors list
B. Organization's Annual Operating Budget
C. Project Budget and Budget Narrative (if applicable)
D. Most recent audit or financial statement
E. Demographic Profile
Complete and sign the Grant Proposal Cover Sheet.
2. Proposal Narrative
• For applicants requesting General Operating Support, provide the information in sections A-C for the organization as a whole.
• For applicants requesting Project Support, provide the information in sections A and C for the project and in section B for the organization.
A. Executive Summary [suggested length: Half Page]3. Attachments
B. Organization Information
If your organization has not received Arcus Foundation funding in the past three years:If your organization has received Arcus Foundation funding in the past three years:
- Briefly summarize the organization's history.
- Describe current programs, activities and accomplishments.
- List the organization's main sources of support.
C. Purpose of Grant / Impact
- Briefly describe the accomplishments and/or outcomes you have achieved with the funding you have received from Arcus over the past three years
- State the needs and/or opportunities to be addressed; if applicable, describe the target population and how it will benefit.
- List the goals you have developed for the funded activities.
- Provide a work plan describing the funded activities and the timetable for implementation. List the anticipated outputs of the proposed funded activities.
- Outputs are the products of your efforts (e.g., publication of a report and its distribution, training, number of participants, staff hired, funds raised).
- List the anticipated "outcomes" of the proposed funded activities and how you will measure and benchmark your success in achieving those outcomes.
- Outcomes describe the difference that your efforts will make, i.e., the results and changes that correspond to your goals (e.g., improved organizational infrastructure and stability, policy change, attitude change, behavior change).
- Examples of outcomes measures include a) achieving specific growth targets for organizational budget and/or staff size; b) increased public support for policy change as demonstrated by polling numbers, policymaker support or other measures; c) numbers of people mobilized over time, etc.
- List any other partners and/or collaborators, their roles and the skills/expertise they will bring.
- List the names, titles, skills and roles of those who will carry out the funded activities.
- Discuss long-term strategies for sustaining the funded activities at the end of the grant period.
Please attach the following:
1. List of Board of Directors with affiliations.
2. Financial Information:
a. Organization's current annual operating budget, including expenses and revenue. Attach a list of the organization's main sources of support.
b. Budget and Budget Narrative Related to the Requesti. For a Project Support request, use the Arcus Project Budget Form to provide the project budget that covers the proposed grant period. In the case of a multi-year request, provide project budgets covering each year of the request period.c. Most recent annual financial audit or financial statement reviewed by an independent third party, if audit not required.
ii. For General Operating Support request, provide the organization's annual operating budget that covers the proposed grant period. In the case of a multi-year request, provide the organization's budget for each year of the request period.
iii. For project or general operating support budgets:
1) Provide a short narrative that explains the items included in the budget(s), including assumptions and calculations.iv. List other anticipated or actual sources of support for this proposal: including names of foundation or corporate prospects and categories of other support (including major donors, events, etc.) and amount requested, expected or received. (Indicate whether amounts are pending or received.)Â
2) Provide a breakdown of how a grant from Arcus will be expended.
3. Organization's Demographic Profile
Please e-mail the proposals and attachments to:
Please note: If your combined files and attachments exceed 10 MB, or if your emailed files and attachments bounce back to you undelivered, please upload your proposals and attachments hereIf you cannot e-mail your proposal, you have the option of mailing them to the Michigan office of the Arcus Foundation:
Grant Application
Arcus Foundation
402 East Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
If mailed, you must:
- submit three (3) copies of the proposal and attachments, without binders or folders, and
- attach the Arcus Grant Proposal Cover Sheet to the top of each of the three (3) required copies of the proposal