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Submitting a Successful Application: Eligibility, Process and Timeline

Submission Instructions

To be considered for funding, submit your application and supporting documents by the deadline no later than March 6, Thursday, by 5 pm EST. Please visit https://proteus.fluxx.io/. If you have an existing Proteus Fund Fluxx account, please login to your existing account. If you do not have an existing account, please click “Register Now”. You will receive an email notification instructing you to set up a password. Please check your spam/junk folder if it does not arrive in your inbox. Once logged in, please visit the “Open Grant Opportunities” tab in the left-side grey menu.

The role of Contigo Fund Staff includes supporting applicants and grantees through the grant submission, reporting, and evaluation process and participation in leadership training opportunities. If you have any questions, please contact Joél Junior Morales at [email protected] or Marco Antonio Quiroga at [email protected].

Requests are due by 5 pm est Thursday, March 6, 2025

Who Is Eligible to Apply
Contigo Fund seeks requests for efforts based in Central Florida supporting Queer communities historically marginalized by society from equal opportunity and power and advancing racial, economic, and gender justice: 

  • The organization must be based in Central Florida (Brevard, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia Counties), and proposed efforts must uniquely serve Central Florida’s Queer communities.
  • Groups or coalitions must be directed/led by Queer leader(s).
  • Efforts should help sustain and grow capacity and forward movement to empower Queer people living at the intersection of marginalized identities, particularly Black and Latinx individuals, Immigrants, and other communities of color.
  • Must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.    
  • To apply, groups do not need 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.  Those lacking 501(c)(3) status can apply under the auspices of fiscal sponsorship of an established 501(c)(3).  Fiscally sponsored groups are required to submit a fiscal sponsorship agreement outlining the roles of both the fiscal sponsor and the fiscally sponsored group and signed by representatives of both parties.   
  • For Coalitions, an agreement between all member organizations (at least 5 autonomous groups required) must be formalized and outline the roles of both the fiscal sponsoring organization and membership and signed by representatives of all parties, including (a) its common mission, purpose, and theory of change, (b) shared decision-making and accountability structure and process, and (c) how long the coalition intends for its collaborative work to continue.  For instance, coalition must determine if its collaborative work is time-bound (e.g. commitment of one-year in responding to a particular emergency or crisis) or if it is on-going (e.g. commitment does not seize until membership determines it has met its goal – for instance addressing a disparity in the community that is unmet or inadequately being met with goal of transforming it into opportunity and power for that community – or group/groups become inactive or coalition is disbanded).
  • Fiscally sponsored groups need to have an oversight and accountability structure in place before receiving a grant.  The oversight and accountability structure for the group can be a Community Steering or Advisory Committee of local community members that reflects the community the group seeks to support, setting the vision of the project and guiding its work like a board of directors.  Please note the group’s oversight and accountability structure is separate from the fiscal sponsor’s governance structure.  The community steering / advisory committee informs the group’s work in alignment with the group’s mission and oversight of the group’s financial health and executive leadership.  The oversight and accountability structure in place must include an outline of the separate roles and responsibilities of the committee and any staff, frequency of meetings, and how the committee will oversee the organization’s executive staff member and finances, including annual executive evaluation process and developing and monitoring organizational budget.  Please note, no paid staff or consultant can also serve on the community steering / advisory committee due to conflicts of interest in performing its fiscal oversight responsibility and, while there is no maximum cap in size, there should be at least 5 members on committee.
  • Extreme preference will be given to organizations with less than $1 million in expenses.
  • Regardless of their structure or age, the applicant’s organization’s LOI should be able to demonstrate their alignment with the values of Contigo and potential for advancing its vision and theory of change.
  • Preference is given to organizations that have programming that responds to distinct unmet needs in the target communities and employ medium-term to long-term solutions.
  • Applicants must be a part of a learning community and will be asked to participate with other community leaders, including convenings, leadership and organizational development training, and peer learning opportunities. Contigo will cover training costs, and the applicant core staff and board or advisory committee members should be prepared to devote appropriate time and thought to participate actively in these opportunities.

Grants will not be awarded…

  • Outside Contigo’s grantmaking regions. Grantmaking region is defined as the following counties in Central Florida: Brevard, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia Counties
  • For individual support including charity, direct cash assistance, or scholarships
  • Organizations that operate pharmacies with revenue generated from the 340B drug program that does not reinvest 100% of that revenue into community programs for and led by impacted communities

Preference will not be given to…

  • Philanthropic grantmaking institutions that primarily engage in re-granting to other organizations 
  • Organizations that primarily focus on programming for sponsorships for conferences, fundraisers, or other annual or one-time events

…exceptions may be made for base-building and organizing events, such as strategic conferences and convenings that are part of larger movement strategy; however, applicants must demonstrate how it would advance a strong long-term systemic impact on target communities in a way that lives beyond that event.

Grants and Decision Process

Contigo 2025-2026 Power and Building Movement Annual Grant Cycle:

  • Grants for this annual cycle can be made up to a maximum of $75,000 and limited to one application per organization (joint applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis); and
  • Applicants can apply for a 12-month grant up to the maximum and demonstrate what the organization plans to accomplish in the 12-month grant period. 

Annual Grant Cycle Application, Distribution, And Reporting Timeline

  • February 20, 2025, Thursday: Public release of RFP application
  • March 6, 2025, Friday: LOI applications due by 5 pm EST
  • Mid-March: Approved LOI will be notified to move on to schedule an interview.
  • End of April: Final decisions on grants & notification 
  • October: Mid-term progress update via site visit/interview with Contigo Staff
  • February 6, 2026, Friday: Final Report back from 2025 grantees due by 5 pm EST

Maintaining a Collaborative Relationship

The Contigo Fund is committed to building strong, supportive relationships with our grantee partners. Our goal is to stay informed about your activities and to offer assistance where needed, enhancing our partnership and maximizing the impact of your work.

As part of maintaining this collaborative relationship, the Contigo Fund may occasionally reach out to arrange informal check-in calls or schedule site visits. These interactions are opportunities for us to better understand your ongoing projects and explore ways in which we can provide further support.

Please note that we do not require any formal written or financial reports. Our focus is on building an ongoing dialogue and fostering mutual support, rather than imposing additional administrative burdens.

We value open communication and welcome any updates, successes, challenges, or feedback you wish to share at any time.

Learning Community

As a part of receiving the grant, your organization will join a supportive community where you’ll work alongside other grantees. This commitment includes attending Contigo Fund yearly gatherings such as the annual Orlando Strong Symposium, scheduled for November 13th and 14th, 2025.

We ask that 3-5 key members of your organization, including executive leaders, program staff, and board members, participate in the symposium. Your involvement is essential, as it helps ensure that your organization is ready to apply and benefit from the grant activities.

By participating fully, you’ll receive practical advice and assistance to help achieve your goals and make a positive impact. The Contigo Fund will provide additional support throughout the grant period to help tailor assistance and training to meet your needs.

Please keep these commitments in mind as you apply, as they are vital to achieving the best outcomes for your organization and the broader community.

DOWNLOAD THE GRANT APPLICATION
ACCESS THE GRANT PORTAL

How Request Will be Evaluated

The Contigo Fund Community Board will evaluate proposals based on several critical criteria:

Demonstrate community leadership & accountability: Leaders of efforts are strongly positioned in their community as a trusted resource and efforts are led by and in partnership with the impacted communities they support and are responsive and accountable to those communities. 

Fills a gap in the community: Organization responds to a unique need within the community that existing institutions historically have not or currently are not adequately addressing & solutions will be long-lasting. 

Collaborate: Applicants must form strategic alliances and work in a coalition with other key stakeholders and grantees. 

Demonstrate institutional commitment:  Applicants must show evidence of their commitment to supporting Queer communities of color, including nondiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation and gender identity and past institutional support for addressing issues affecting a diversity of Queer communities – especially people of color, transgender people, and immigrants.  Applicants must demonstrate the values of justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and hold a strong track record of serving persecuted populations, protecting civil rights, and working against racism and discrimination. 

Have clear goals: The LOI outlines the organization’s plans that are well thought out with clear goals, outcomes, & strategies.

Track record of success: Returning applicants must be able to articulate their impact both quantitatively and qualitatively, including the number of folks meaningfully impacted by their work, number of leaders built and engaged in opportunities to lead in the movement, and demonstrating an ability to build bridges and coalitions around the issues they are addressing.