COVID-19 Relief Fund

Prism Foundation COVID19 Relief Fund.png

Prism Foundation is distributing $10,000 to support community organizations and individuals in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its growing impact on vulnerable communities, including our own. This fund is grounded in our core mission to provide funds and leverage resources to empower the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community.

If you are either 1) a community organization serving the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community or 2) an individual who identifies as Asian & Pacific Islander and LGBTQIA+ who is employed at or volunteered in a significant capacity for a nonprofit serving the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community in the past year, and have been significantly impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, please review the minimum eligibility requirements below. If you or your organization meets these requirements, we invite you to submit an application.

Applications for Prism Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund are now closed.

Please note that this fund is limited to organizations and individuals based in the U.S. If you have any questions, please email philanthropy@theprismfoundation.org.

 

I. Community Organization Relief Fund

Amount: $500 / ea

Requirements:

  • Your organization has tax-exempt 501c(3) status —OR— a fiscal sponsor who has tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status. What is a fiscal sponsor?

  • Your mission and work serves the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Your organization is based in the U.S.

  • You have been significantly impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note: Priority will be given to organizations with significant need during this time. If you do not have significant need at this time, but can still benefit from grant funding, consider applying to Prism Foundation’s community grants for nonprofit organizations serving the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community.

 

II. Individuals Relief Fund

Amount: $100 / ea

Requirements:

  • You are currently employed at or have volunteered in a significant capacity in the past year for a nonprofit organization serving the Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community. Those who have recently lost their roles due to the pandemic are still eligible to apply.

  • You currently reside in the U.S.

  • You have been significantly impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note: If you are a current student making impact in the Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community, please also consider applying for Prism Foundation’s scholarships.

 

III. FAQ

What can the money be used for?
There are no terms to the funds distributed from the COVID-19 Relief Fund. However, these funds are intended to provide financial relief to those significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly around access to basic needs such as rent, food, internet, etc.

Do I owe the Prism Foundation anything in return?
No, we would be grateful for a shout-out to continue growing awareness of Prism Foundation and our programs for the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community, but there is no requirements or terms to receiving these funds.

Why nonprofit volunteers?
Selecting a target population was not an easy process. Ultimately, in alignment with Prism Foundation’s core mission to empower changemakers making impact in the Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQIA+ community, we want to support these individuals who have contributed a significant amount of time to their community. We hope to relieve, at least in part, the financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so that they are able to continue their work in supporting our community long-term.

Why a lottery system?
In the interest of getting funds quickly to our community in light of the growing social, economic, and financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ensuring that there is equal access, individuals will be selected at random via lottery system.

Will recipients of the funds be announced?
Individual recipients will not be announced publicly. High-level metrics and demographic data may be reported externally, but only in aggregate (e.g., 10% of applicants were 18-24 years of age). Community organizations funded may be shared externally as a recipient of the fund on Prism Foundation social channels, annual reporting, etc.

Can we apply for the Relief Fund as well as Prism Foundation’s Community Grants and Scholarships?
Yes! In fact, we highly encourage you to.