Lasater Schirmer Foundation
Lasater Schirmer Foundation
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Values
    • Board & Leadership
  • Who We Support
    • Women & Girls
    • LGBTQ+ Communities
    • Environment Conservation
  • Grants
    • Grant Application
    • Grantmaking Approach
    • Eligibility Guidelines
  • Contact Us
  • More
    • Home
    • About
      • Mission & Values
      • Board & Leadership
    • Who We Support
      • Women & Girls
      • LGBTQ+ Communities
      • Environment Conservation
    • Grants
      • Grant Application
      • Grantmaking Approach
      • Eligibility Guidelines
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission & Values
    • Board & Leadership
  • Who We Support
    • Women & Girls
    • LGBTQ+ Communities
    • Environment Conservation
  • Grants
    • Grant Application
    • Grantmaking Approach
    • Eligibility Guidelines
  • Contact Us

Our Grantmaking Approach

Mission-Driven Grants

The Lasater-Schirmer Foundation supports nonprofit organizations aligned with our mission to uplift women and girls, advance LGBTQ+ communities, and protect the environment through equity-centered solutions. 

Our Funding Priorities

We prioritize organizations and initiatives that demonstrate a strong connection to the communities they serve and a thoughtful approach to creating meaningful, measurable change.

In particular, we look for partners who:


◦ Address the needs of historically marginalized or underserved populations
◦ Are led by or closely connected to the communities they serve
◦ Demonstrate inclusive, ethical, and culturally competent practices
◦ Show a commitment to accountability, transparency, and learning
◦ Design programs with clear goals and measurable outcomes
 

Apply for a Grant

Types of Support

The Trust offers several types of funding to support organizations at different stages of growth and impact. Grant type and size are determined based on alignment, need, and potential for impact.


Program Grants
Support for specific initiatives, services, or projects aligned with our funding pillars.


Capacity-Building Grants
Funding to strengthen organizational sustainability, including staffing, planning, systems, and infrastructure.


Innovation & Micro-Grants
Smaller, flexible grants designed to support pilot projects, emerging ideas, or urgent community needs.

What We Look For

 While each proposal is reviewed individually, successful applicants typically demonstrate:


◦ Clear alignment with at least one of our funding pillars

◦ A well-defined community need informed by lived experience or local insight

◦ Strong leadership and organizational capacity

◦ Responsible financial management

◦ A realistic plan for impact and evaluation
 

We value clarity over complexity and welcome proposals that are thoughtful, honest, and grounded in real-world outcomes.

Apply for a Grant

Our Approach to Grantmaking

 Our application and review process is designed to be accessible and respectful of applicants’ time. We use a two-step approach to ensure alignment before requesting full proposals.


Organizations begin by submitting a brief Letter of Interest (LOI). Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal for further review. Funding decisions are made through an internal review process, with the goal of supporting work that aligns closely with our mission and values.

Interested in Applying?

We encourage organizations that align with our funding priorities to review eligibility guidelines and learn more about the application process. 

Review Eligibility Guidelines

Apply for Funding to Support Community-Driven Impact

Apply for a Grant
  • Mission & Values
  • Board & Leadership
  • Women & Girls
  • LGBTQ+ Communities
  • Environment Conservation
  • Grant Application
  • Grantmaking Approach
  • Eligibility Guidelines
  • Contact Us

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