The Project Rainbow Community Fund started as an unexpected but powerful byproduct of the organization’s original mission. In the beginning, Project Rainbow Utah (PRU) focused solely on visibility. The idea was simple: provide community members with rainbow flags to stake in their yards during events like Utah Pride. This gesture of solidarity aimed to create safe, supportive spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in Utah, showing that love and inclusion existed in every neighborhood.

As the flag campaigns grew, so did their impact. More people wanted to participate, and the funds raised through flag sales began to exceed the operational needs of PRU. At first, these extra funds were donated directly to the Utah Pride Center, a vital hub for LGBTQ+ support and advocacy in the state. But as time went on, it became clear that many smaller organizations and groups also needed financial support. These grassroots organizations were doing essential work in their communities, from providing mental health services to offering safe spaces for queer youth, and PRU saw an opportunity to help them thrive.

This realization led to the birth of the Project Rainbow Community Fund. What started as an organic redistribution of surplus funds became a formalized program, where money raised through the flag campaigns could be used to support a wide variety of LGBTQ+ organizations across Utah. It wasn’t just about visibility anymore; it was about sustainability and helping these organizations grow. PRU formalized the Community Fund Grant, creating a clear structure for applying, reviewing, and distributing grants to ensure that funds were used where they could make the most impact.

Now, the Community Fund is one of PRU’s central initiatives, continuing to provide financial support to organizations that share its mission of empowerment, visibility, and inclusion. The fund has grown to become a beacon of hope and resources, enriching the social fabric of Utah’s LGBTQ+ community by supporting those on the front lines of change. It has grown to include support of organization’s like pride festivals and sponsoring key events, while continuing to support dozens of organizations and projects through the Community Fund Grant specifically.

• The Application Instructions which lays out the high level objectives and specific details of this grant

• This short recorded webinar provides an overview of the grant program and application process.

• The Application Questions which provides a Google Doc version of the application for drafting and collaborating on responses

• Please submit questions via this form. Questions may be asked until January 6th, 2025; questions will be answered in the document and/or via email. The FAQ at the bottom of the application instructions document will be updated as questions are reviewed.
  

The 2026 Fund Application is open for programs occurring between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.

Application Opens: December 3, 2025.

Application Closes: January 2 at 11:59 p.m.

Award and Distribution Notifications: No later than February 16, 2026

1) Eligibility screen
The program lead conducts a binary eligibility check based on the published criteria in this packet (Utah/LGBTQ+ focus, project timing, W-9/fiscal sponsor readiness, etc.). Proposals that meet eligibility advance to full review.

2) Community Fund Grant Committee scoring & recommendation.
A Committee composed of a small group of community members and the current Board of Directors reviews eligible applications using the five criteria below. Scores and discussion inform a recommended funding slate (including potential partial awards). All reviewers follow PRU’s conflict-of-interest policy and recuse themselves where applicable.

3) Board ratification
The Board confirms compliance, budget fit, and reasonable diversification, then ratifies the slate. 

We consider project’s alignment to 5 key criteria that are derived from our organizational values: 

1. Community-Led & Participatory: We prioritize projects that are shaped and led by LGBTQ+ people, especially those directly impacted by the issues the project addresses. We want to know how your community is involved—not just served.

2. Collaborative & Cross-Connecting: Strong projects bring people together across differences. Whether you're bridging rural and urban communities, generations, or cultural groups, we value work that invites collective problem-solving and joy.

3. Rooted in Solidarity, Not Charity: Our funds support efforts that uplift dignity and agency—not handouts. We're especially excited to fund projects that reinvest in the community, pay queer and trans folks for their work, and build shared power.

4. Shares Power, Knowledge, and Joy: We believe in joyful resistance, storytelling, and visibility. We fund projects that share what they learn, highlight LGBTQ+ experiences, and ripple beyond their immediate audience.

5. Reflects Equity & Intention: Inclusion isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a practice. We look for projects that include language access, disability accommodations, and leadership or participation from QTBIPOC, disabled, undocumented, or justice-involved folks.

Other factors we take into consideration when considering the entire slate of grants:

• Geographic balance across Utah, especially beyond the Salt Lake Valley

• Project type and size (small, medium, and large awards represented)

• New vs. previously funded (a healthy mix of returning projects that show impact and new ideas)

We may request limited clarifying information through the board to best understand a project’s context and potential impact. All applicants will be notified after Board ratification.

• Q: I represent a pride parade or festival. Am I eligible to apply? A: Pride festivals are uniquely aligned to our mission & vision - and our flag campaigns often directly overlap or work in conjunction with local Pride events. As such, we almost always have chosen to fund these events but at inconsistent amounts driven solely in the past by what the applicant asks for. We'd like to deepen our connection to these organizations and give ourselves a more conversational approach to this type of funding than the grant process allows. As such, Project Rainbow funding of pride parades/festivals and sponsorships is to be handled directly by the sitting Executive Director. If you represent a pride festival, please email jacey@projectrainbowutah.org to discuss your needs for 2024. 

• Q: What is the maximum award?A: Awards are limited to $5,000 maximum; for awards $3,500 or above, PRU can not be the sole funder. 

• Q: When are disbursements made for granted projects?A: Award disbursements will be made within 30 days of Project Rainbow receiving your award confirmation form and related disbursement information. 

• Q: What determines the amount granted each year?A: Our grant amount is driven by the number of flag sign ups. These vary from year to year. 

• Q: What type of performing arts projects are you interested in funding? A:  Any, but particular emphasis is placed on those that focus on fostering visibility, promoting inclusivity, and creating joyful spaces for our community & allies

• Q: Would you consider funding ongoing needs for arts projects, such as supplies or studio space? A: In general, Project Rainbow aims to support particular initiatives that have tangible results or effects, involving a broad and diverse range of participants - for example, we may be more likely to fund a request for supplies in support of an exhibition featuring LGBTQ+ artists rather than a general request for supplies. We encourage you to be creative with your ideas and collaborate with others to come up with these type of ideas! 

• Q: My non-profit organization has two projects that could use funding - one is a queer-centered event and one is a queer student organization/club. The club does have some involvement with the event but is mostly organized by administration. Should I apply once, including both items, or twice - one application for each project?A: You should apply twice since one is ongoing and one is stand alone, and be specific about where funds may overlap.

These details are included above but are summarized here for your convenience. 

• New review flow & roles: The grant project leads screens first for eligibility, then both the board and a small group of community members reviews and recommends a funding slate, which the Board then officially reviews and ratifies.

• Categories refreshed: Grant categories updated to reflect the types of projects we most often fund.

• Criteria aligned to values: Selection criteria streamlined to mirror PRU’s organizational values across all review stages.

• Sponsorship boundary clarified: Pride parade/festival sponsorships are handled outside the CFG process through the Executive Director.