In the fall of 2025, the Community Foundation decided to shift the HOPE Fund grantmaking for the remainder of the calendar year from a competitive process to a focus on proactive grants to key legacy HOPE Fund grantees who are leaders for LGBTQ+ communities in Southeast Michigan.

This shift was the result of many conversations with LGBTQ+ led and serving organizations, donors, and allies this year, and reflects the Foundation’s intention to center the experience and needs of organizations on the ground, reduce the burden on grantee partners, and continue to align grantmaking with the HOPE Fund goal of strengthening the capacity of organizations and the local LGBTQ+ sector as a whole.

The HOPE Fund’s competitive grant process will return in 2026, with a few updates to its grantmaking guidelines. The HOPE Fund will now accept grant requests from $5,000 up to a maximum of $50,000, during one application cycle per year.

For 2026, grant applications will be due in May of 2026, with a decision provided in August. (Specific dates to be updated in early 2026).

If you are interested in applying, reach out to [email protected].