INTERSEX HUMAN RIGHTS FUND

FUNDING GUIDELINES AND PROPOSAL FORM

PROPOSAL DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2017

ABOUT THE INTERSEX HUMAN RIGHTS FUND

The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is proud to announce the opening of the third Request for Proposals of the Intersex Human Rights Fund. The Fund was created to honor the resilience, creativity and growth of intersex activism and ensure the human rights of intersex people.

We recognize that the entrenched practice of organizing the world into the sex binary and gender binary has alarming and rights-violating consequences for intersex bodies. People with intersex variations face invisibility, stigma, discrimination and violence. Intersex babies and children are widely subjected to normalizing,non-consensual, harmful surgeries and other medical interventions, with life-long consequences, including sterilization and genital mutilation. There are very few legal frameworks to protect intersex people from multiple forms of discrimination and institutional violence. While intersex activism has been growing around the world, intersex issues and communities remain starkly under-funded, receiving less than a fraction of 1% of global foundation funding for LGBTQI people and/or women and girls.

The Intersex Human Rights Fund supports organizations, projects and timely campaigns led by intersex activists working to ensure the human rights, bodily autonomy, physical integrity and self-determination of intersex people. Given the dearth of funding to intersex issues globally, intersex groups/projects based anywhere in the world are eligible to apply.

Astraea particularly seeks proposals from intersex activists who have never applied for a grant or received foundation funding. Groups with small or no budgets, staff or structures are eligible and encouraged to apply. If you have questions about how to complete the application, please reach out to Astraea staff at . Groups may submit proposals in English, Spanish, French, German, Russian or Mandarin.

Astraea is a public foundation that raises funds every year for grantmaking activities. Given the reality of our funding limitations, Astraea is not able to provide grants to all worthwhile initiatives.

ABOUT ASTRAEA FOUNDATION

The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice works for social, racial and economic justice in the U.S. and internationally. Our grantmaking, capacity building & leadership development, media and communications, and philanthropic advocacy programs support the work of lesbian, trans*, intersex and LGBTQI organizations to challenge oppression and claim rights.

Our mission is based on an enduring commitment to feminism, progressive social change, and an end to all forms of exploitation and discrimination. Founded in 1977 by a small group of women to address the lack of funding for women (especially lesbians and women of color), Astraea is now a global foundation providing critical support for LGBTQI groups in the U.S. and around the world.

ASTRAEA’S GRANTMAKING PHILOSOPHY

Astraea’s grantmaking is guided by our understanding of how social change and movements for justice develop. We believe that:

●Social change results from the powerful collective action of groups of people working together.

●Organizations that are committed to addressing the intersections of various oppressions, and demonstrate commitment to social, racial, economic and gender justice, are most likely to build transformative and liberationist movements for change.

●Art and cultural work are powerful mediums for resistance, cultural change and inspiration – all critical components of lasting justice movements.

●Communities that are most affected by various issues are best positioned to identify effective priorities and strategies for social change in their communities.

●Social justice funding institutions – like Astraea – seek to help redistribute wealth and power in society in order to help finance the sectors of our movements that have the least access to mainstream funding resources.

ASTRAEA’S GRANTMAKING PROCESS AND CRITERIA

Astraea supports groups, projects and organizations led by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities working for progressive social change and addressing oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics / bodily diversity.

Important Dates

  1. Pre-application meetingAn information session will take place online in February.
  2. DeadlineThis request for proposals is due on March 15, 2017.
  3. Proposal ReviewReview of received proposals will take place in March and April.
  4. Notification DateSuccessful applicants will be informed by June 15, 2017.

Type of Support

Grants will range from $2,500 – $10,000.

Organizations can apply for general support or project support:

General support: Funds that can cover any and all costs in an organization’s budget, including expenses such as salaries and rent, equipment, training and staff needs, that help build the organizational and programmatic capacity of the group to carry out its work. This support can be used for any purpose that helps your group achieve its mission.

Project support: Funds that can be used for a specific program or project that will help a group pursue its objectives. A project is a time-bound activity or set of activities. Project support can pay for a mixture of items within a project budget, including a contribution towards administrative costs.

Consideration for funding will be limited to groups that:

●Are led by and for intersex people. While groups led by intersex people will be prioritized, intersex projects of broader organizations (eg. T/I, LGBTI, human rights, women’s rights, health rights, disability rights) are eligible if the project is led by intersex people.

●Utilize social, cultural, artistic, political, legal and/or institutional change strategies to advance the rights of people with intersex variations, including the following aims:

oEnsure bodily integrity, physical autonomy and self-determination

oEnsure access to information, counseling and support

oEnd invisibility and break isolation

oEnd stigma and discrimination

oEnd medicaland other forms of institutional violence against intersex people, at all stages of life

oBuild legal frameworks to ensure protection of human rights and reparative justice

oStrengthen human rights approaches, including use of international and regional mechanisms

oProduce critical knowledge on intersex issues

oCreate celebratory approaches to intersex issues

oStrengthen the intersex human rights movement

Priority will be given to groups or projects that:

●Have active participation and leadership from the communities most affected by issues that the group works on

●Are inclusive and reflect the diversity of the geographic region in which they do their work

●Show an understanding of the connections among different oppressions facing intersex people, and have a commitment to address other forms of oppression based on class, race, ethnicity, age, physical and mental ability, gender, sexuality, national identity, and religious affiliation

●Develop leadership and build communities’ capacity to achieve social change, particularly through proposals that strengthen an organization’s ability to organize

●Work in alliance and/or builds coalition with other social justice organizations (e.g. sex worker rights, LGBTQ rights, disability rights, children’s rights, etc.)

●Have organizational structures and practices in place that reflect social justice principles

●Have limited access to traditional sources of funding

Astraea does not fund:

●Organizations with no leadership of the people affected by the issues the group works on

●Private business or profit-making efforts (including business development)

●Individual projects (e.g. graduate research, fellowships, etc.)

●Projects that are sponsored by a university, college, or other academic institution

●Groups whose sole purpose is to provide charity to individuals, direct social service projects, research projects, or one-time events that are not linked to ongoing social change organizing strategies.

●Efforts that endorse candidates for public office (incl. political parties and election campaigns)

●Capital campaigns, endowments, or deficit financing

●Organizations with budgets of over USD $500,000

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. What do we mean by ‘intersex’?

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of natural bodily variations. In some cases, intersex traits are visible at birth, while in others, they are not apparent until puberty. Some chromosomal intersex variations may not be physically apparent at all. Being intersex relates to biological sex characteristics, and is distinct from a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. An intersex person may be straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or asexual, and may identify as female, male, both or neither.

  1. Can my organization submit a proposal if it is not registered?

Yes, your organization can still submit a proposal if it not registered.

  1. What is a fiscal sponsor?

A fiscal sponsor is an existing nonprofit / nongovernmental organization (NGO) that is used for the purpose of receiving a grant when a group is not yet registered as an NGO. The role of the fiscal sponsor can include performing administrative functions on behalf of the grantee partner, including receiving and administering the grant on behalf of the supported group. Some fiscal sponsors do more, including providing capacity building support. It is common and acceptable for the fiscal sponsor to charge an administrative fee for its services.

  1. Is my organization eligible for funding if it currently receives funding from elsewhere?

Yes, your organization is still eligible for funding as long as the budget is not USD $500,000 and over.

  1. How are decisions made regarding the award of grants?

Astraea’s staff and the Intersex Fund Advisory Board ensure that the decision-making process is an open and transparent process. The grantmaking process involves the following steps:

➔Following the deadline, proposals are translated and screened for eligibility

➔Proposals are reviewed according to the criteria listed above

➔Reference requests are sent out, including to the references listed by applicants, Advisory Board members, peer funders, existing grantees and other partners

➔Decision-making meetings are held

➔Grants are awarded - you will receive an email from us informing you whether your proposal was successful or not.

➔Grantee partners sign agreement, Astraea provides support, and groups carry out their work!

  1. Can we use the grant for travel?

Yes, the grant can be used for travel as long as it is of value to the organization’s work or the project objectives. If you plan to travel as part of the project, take this into consideration when preparing the budget.

  1. Can I apply if I have security concerns?

We take safety and security very seriously in our work with grantee partners. Your safety comes first. We do not require public promotion or publicity from Astraea, and it is up to the group to decide what works best. We seek your permission to use any information publicly in all circumstances. If you do not wish to be publicly identified as receiving funding from Astraea, that will not affect your chances to receive a grant.

PROPOSAL FORM: INTERSEX HUMAN RIGHTS FUND

SECTION 1: COVER SHEET

A. ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

Full Organization Name
Month / Year Founded
Mailing address
City, State, Zip/Post Code, Country
Organizational Phone Number
E-mail address
Website
Facebook
Twitter

B. CONTACT PERSONS

Contact Person #1

First Name, Last Name
Title or Position within the group
E-mail
Phone Number (day / evening?)
Skype name:
Best way and time to contact for questions

Contact Person #2

First Name, Last Name
Title or Position within the group
E-mail
Phone Number (day / evening?)
Skype name
Best way and time to contact for questions

C. STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS

  1. List your staff members or key volunteers, including name and position.
  1. List your board members (or alternate governing structure), including name and occupation.
  1. Please complete the following demographic chart. We recommend that all applicants complete the optional sections, particularly if your group works with under-resourced populations. Be sure to complete the sections directly related to your group’s mission and programs.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHART
We recognize that this chart may not be easy to fill out, and the boxes may not reflect the multiple identities of your constituency. We ask you to please fill it out as it helps us understand your group and to compile rough data about our grantee partners overall. Please feel free to add any additional categories, particularly as related to your group’s mission and programs.
Organization’s Leaders / People served by the Organization
Category titles can be customized (e.g. steering committee, etc.) --> / Board Members (where applicable) / Paid
Staff / Unpaid Core Leaders / Members / Constituency / Target Population
Total Number of Each Category -->
Please estimate the number (not percentage) in each category.
REQUIRED: Demographics by Gender Identity and Sex Characteristics
Women (including trans and intersex, if applicable)
Men (including trans and intersex, if applicable)
Trans / GenderQueer / Gender Non-Conforming / Two-Spirit
Intersex
Not Listed Above (Please specify)
OPTIONAL: Demographics by Race/Ethnicity/Caste (as relevant in your country)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
OPTIONAL: Demographics by Sexual Orientation
Lesbian
Gay Male
Bisexual
Queer/Other (Please specify)
Heterosexual / Straight
OPTIONAL: Demographics by Age
18 and younger
19-24
25-39
40-59
60 and older
OPTIONAL: Additional Demographic Characteristics of Interest to Astraea
People with Disabilities
People Incarcerated/Formerly Incarcerated
Immigrants/Refugees
Low-Income/ Poor
Sex Worker/Experience in Sex Trades
OPTIONAL: Additional Demographic Categories that are Important to your Organization (if not listed above)
1.
2.
3.

D. REGISTRATION STATUS AND ORGANIZATIONAL BUDGET

  1. Registration. Is your group registered? ______
  2. If yes, please provide your registration number / EIN (groups based in the U.S. only): ______
  3. If not, please indicate if you have a fiscal sponsor and share their contact information. (Having a fiscal sponsor is not required to apply for a grant. This can be identified after being awarded the grant).
  4. Name of Fiscal Sponsor ______
  5. Email ______
  1. Organizational budget
  2. What is your annual budget for the current year? US$______
  3. What was your annual budget for the last year? US$______
  4. Organization’s Fiscal / Financial Year:
  5. Start Date (mm/dd/yy): ______
  6. End Date (mm/dd/yy): ______

E. REFERENCES:

Provide the names of 2 people who are familiar with but not part of your organization.

Reference #1

First Name, Last Name
Organizational affiliation
Relation to your group
E-mail
Phone
Skype name

Reference #2

First Name, Last Name
Organizational affiliation
Relation to your group
E-mail
Phone
Skype name

SECTION 2. TELL US WHO YOU ARE AND WHY YOU WORK IN THIS AREA

Please keep your answers to Sections 2-4 to a maximum of 4 pages!

  1. When and why was your group formed? What is the overall mission of your group?
  1. Who is your core constituency? What are the most pressing issues they face?
  1. What are the main strategies you use to tackle the root causes of these issues?
  1. What are two successes of your group so far?
  1. Does your group identify as a feminist organization? How does your group address gender oppression internally and externally?
  1. List the most important coalitions, networks and allies you work with, and describe how you work with them. Which movement(s), if any, do you connect your work with?
  1. Does your group work at the local, national, regional and/or international level? Please explain.

SECTION 3: TELL US ABOUT YOUR GOALS AND THE CHANGES YOU WANT TO MAKE

  1. GOAL: What is the long-term goal that your group hopes to achieve in 10 to 15 years?

A goal is your vision for change in the long-term.

  1. OUTCOMES: What are the outcomes your group expects or hopes to achieve in the next 3-5 years?

An outcome is a specific change that shows progress toward your long-term goal. It can be a change in behavior, policy or culture. It can also be a change in the strength of your organization or movement. Please list at least 3 and no more than 5.

  1. BASELINE: What is the current situation in relation to the outcomes you want to achieve?

For each outcome you listed above, please describe the current situation – this is also called the baseline. Provide a description, story or statistic that explains what’s happening now. This will enable us to compare the situation in the future to what it is now.

  1. ACTIVITIES: What are the main activities you plan to carry out in the next 1 year to help you achieve these outcomes?

Please describe at least 3 and no more than 10.

If you receive a grant from Astraea, we will ask you to share the changes you see during the grant period and over the course of our partnership. They could include positive changes like increased membership or positive media attention; they could also include setbacks or backlash. We know they will often be small changes, since social justice work takes a long time. Together with our partners, we aim to capture the small changes that show us we are moving in the right direction and to collectively learn from our work so we can strengthen it along the way.

SECTION 4: TELL US HOW YOUR GROUP DOES ITS WORK

  1. What is the structure of your group? Describe if you have a board or governance structure and the roles that intersex people play in your leadership.
  1. How does your group make major decisions about its work? Are intersex people directly involved in decision-making, and if so how?
  1. What challenges have you encountered in managing your work, and how have you dealt with them? If you face safety and security threats, please describe them and indicate if your group has a security plan.
  1. Briefly describe your fundraising strategy, if you have one, and your main sources of income. If you are receiving financial support from other funding institutions, please include their names and grant sizes here.
  1. Briefly describe your financial decision-making bodies, financial systems or procedures, and any internal controls.

SECTION 5: TELL US ABOUT YOUR REQUEST FOR SUPPORT