Brian A. McCarthy Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Brian A. McCarthy Foundation invests in LGBTQ health, education, culture, and well-being with an emphasis on HIV research and prevention, as well as support and anti-violence programs for LGBTQ youth.
IP TAKE: The Brian A. McCarthy Foundation supports a broad range of LGBTQ organizations and programs, with a geographic focus on New York, where the foundation is based, and California. This is a transparent funder that gives grantseekers detailed information on past grantmaking including linking to 990s on its website, and its grants database is searchable by year. The foundation does not run a formal application program, but organizations working in its areas of interest may email this accessible funder with introductions and inquiries.
PROFILE: Founded in 2007, the Brian A. McCarthy Foundation is an outgrowth of the former Michael W. McCarthy Foundation, which was established in 1958 in by Michael W. McCarthy, a former chairman of the board of Merrill Lynch. Brian A. McCarthy serves as the sole trustee of the Brian A. McCarthy Foundation, which prefers a relatively low profile despite overseeing a website. The foundation seeks to “support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender health, education, culture, and well-being with a special emphasis on HIV prevention and research, and programs for LGBT youth.”
Grants for LGBTQ
While the foundation does not conduct its grantmaking through targeted programs, it broadly invests in a variety of LGBTQ issues. Past grantees include Global Action Project and its SupaFriends LGBTQ youth media program; the Black, Gifted & Whole Foundation's HBCU Ambassador Scholarship Program; and San Diego LGBT Pride. Additional information about past grantees is available at the foundation’s grants page.
Grants for Public Health and Diseases
The foundation’s health grantmaking primarily focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention, research, and treatment. Previous grantees in this space include amfAR, Callen-Lorde Community Health center, The Center for HIV Law and Policy, HIV League, and The American Foundation for AIDS Research. Additional information about past grantees is available at the foundation’s grants page.
Grants for Arts and Culture
While this is not a large giving area, the foundation does make grants to support New York-based arts organizations. Past grantees include I’m From Driftwood, a queer and trans story archive. Additional information about past grantees is available at the foundation’s grants page.
Important Grant Details:
The Brian A. McCarthy Foundation gave away about $400,000 in a recent year, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. The foundation’s average grant size is about $50,000.
Grantmaking appears to prioritize organizations in New York and California.
Grants typically go to general operating expenses, research, and project support; however, grantees should not expect recurring grants.
The foundation will not make grants to individuals; it also will not support organizations that engage in lobbying activities.
While the Brian A McCarthy Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications, it welcomes introductions from relevant organizations at brianamccarthyfoundation@gmail.com.
PEOPLE:
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