Donate to Save Queer Venues Across the US
LGBTQ social venues have supported queer people for decades by offering not only a safe space to gather but also existing as the epicenters of queer liberation and social justice for the LGBTQ community. Today, these historic bars and clubs are struggling to pay rent due to the pandemic. They need our support to keep from closing.
GayCities has launched GayCities’ LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fund in an effort to save these critical venues from closure so they can to continue exist for future generations to come. Make a difference by donating to support the LGBTQ community.
Do you own a queer bar or club struggling to stay afloat?
Take these steps to apply for a grant from the GayCities LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fundraiser:
- Start a GoFundMe fundraiser. Please add #savequeervenues (and your GayCities URL, if any) to your fundraiser
- Fill out this form.
- Raise $500 from your friends, families and other community connections (or be identified on the GayCities directory)
- Be sure the business is set up to receive the funds from the fundraiser.
If you already have a fundraiser, please add #savequeervenues (and your GayCities URL, if any) to your story. Even if you do not qualify for a grant from the GayCities LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fund, you may still qualify for a grant from the Small Business Relief Fund; please see the FAQs here.
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GayCities’ LGBTQ Nightlife Relief fund FAQ
What LGBTQ businesses are eligible to receive a grant from the GayCities’ LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fund?
To be considered for a grant from the GayCities’ LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fundraiser and project supporting LGBTQ nightlife venues such as bars and clubs (including those nightlife venues which started serving food in light of COVID restrictions), the business needs to meet the following requirements: must be a bar or club at least 51% owned, operated and/or controlled by one or more persons identifying as LGBTQ (or be identified on the GayCities directory); have been negatively impacted by a government mandate due to the COVID-19 pandemic; be independently owned and operated; and not be nationally dominant in its field of operations. In addition, the business must intend to use the funds either to help (a) care for its employees / workers, or (b) pay ongoing business expenses. Please fill out this form to confirm the same. Further, the potential grantee must raise at least $500 for the business through its own GoFundMe fundraiser (or be identified on the GayCities directory), which fundraiser it started because of the COVID-19 pandemic and which contains #savequeervenues; and have no fraud reports made against it. One grant per business or business owner, unless determined otherwise by GoFundMe.org. All business fundraisers and grant recipients must comply with GoFundMe’s Terms of Service.
Are any businesses prohibited from receiving a grant from the GayCities’ LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fund?
Yes, the following businesses and types of businesses are prohibited from receiving a grant:
- Businesses that are not a LGBTQ bar or club, including those that started serving food to remain open during the COVID pandemic. If you are not a LGBTQ bar or club, you may still qualify for a grant from the Small Business Relief Fund; please see the FAQs here.
- Businesses that do not comply with GoFundMe’s terms of service will not be eligible for a grant. For example, a venue which sells marijuana would not be eligible for the grant.
No large businesses are eligible, meaning businesses that are not independently owned and operated and/or are nationally dominant in the field of operation for that business - Franchisees and chain businesses
- Only one grant is allowed per business or business owner, unless determined otherwise by GoFundMe.org. Specifically, depending on the success of the GayCities’ LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fund, GoFundMe.org will consider subsequent grants out to grantees from the Fund. Please note that further vetting may be required in connection with a subsequent grant.
- Businesses located outside of the 48 contiguous states of United States, Alaska and Hawaii
That said, any business, as long as it complies with our terms of service, can start a GoFundMe.
Steps to take to apply for a grant from GayCities LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fundraiser:
- Start a GoFundMe fundraiser. Please add #savequeervenues (and your GayCities URL, if any) to your fundraiser.
- Fill out this form.
- Raise $500 from your friends, families and other community connections (or be identified on the GayCities directory)
- Be sure the business is set up to receive the funds from the fundraiser.
If you already have a fundraiser, please add #savequeervenues (and your GayCities URL, if any) to your story. Even if you do not qualify for a grant from the GayCities LGBTQ Nightlife Relief Fund, you may still qualify for a grant from the Small Business Relief Fund; please see the FAQs here.