Since creation in 1989, the Gamma Mu Foundation has sought to fund projects in rural areas that provide support to persons/families with HIV/AIDS. Beginning in 1999, the Foundation expanded its granting policies to include grants for programs other than HIV/AIDS. These include the awarding of undergraduate and advance degree scholarships to gay men as well as grants to organizations meeting special needs in GLBT subpopulations such as youths, seniors, and victims of domestic violence. The Foundation also provides research and public education grants aimed at making the world a more hospitable place for people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. In all cases, the Foundation seeks to provide funds to organizations located in rural areas where the need is great and the resources often very limited. The Foundation has awarded over $1,500,000 to more than 100 organizations. Over 90% of these have been in rural areas.

Grants and scholarships are awarded annually based on a formal application and approval process as outlined under the links on the left side. Only organizations and individuals in the United States are eligible for Gamma Mu Foundation financial assistance. All organizations qualifying for Gamma Mu Foundation assistance must currently qualify as 501(c)3 charitable organizations as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. With the exception of scholarships, Gamma Mu Foundation does not make financial assistance grants to individuals.

Although the Gamma Mu Foundation strives to target its resources in truly rural areas we realize the difficulty in defining "rural" in the present day. This is especially true in the GLBT community where support organizations tend to exist in more urban areas. In considering geographic location, however, the review process strives to assess the relative size of the available GLBT community and the ability of the organization to obtain funding locally.

For more information on our grants and scholarship programs please visit the links on the right of this page or email the grants coordinator at grants@gammamufoundation.org or the scholarship coordinator at scholarships@gammamufoundation.org.