OVERVIEW: The Curve Foundation gives two annual awards for journalistic coverage of LGBTQ issues. It also runs online events related to LGBTQ rights and is a major organizer of Lesbian Visibility Week each April.
IP TAKE: The Curve Foundation maintains the legacy of the lesbian publication Curve, which was launched in 1991 as DeNeuve and now exists as an online media project. While this is not a traditional grantmaker, Curve is accessible, especially via social media, and its online events present opportunities for getting involved. One of its awards, the Curve Award for Emerging Journalists, accepts nominations each spring. Keep up with this funder via its newsletter or FaceBook page.
PROFILE: The Curve Foundation is a nonprofit that formed when the print publication Curve ceased publishing as a monthly magazine. According to its website, Curve was “America’s most loved and trusted source of information for lesbians, bisexual, transgender, queer women and non-binary folks.” In addition to maintaining online archives of Curve, the foundation maintains a mission of “champion[ing] lesbian, queer women, transgender and nonbinary people's stories and culture through intergenerational programming and community building.” Its vision is “a world where all lesbians, queer women, transgender and nonbinary people feel valued, supported and connected.” The foundation is a signatory of the GUTC.
The Curve Foundation runs awards, events and other programs “to build community, connecting and championing lesbian and queer women’s culture across generations.”
Grants for LGBTQ and Journalism
Curve’s grants focus on the intersection between LGBTQ causes and journalism, with a focus on women. It pursues its mission via several awards and programs:
The Curve Award for Emerging Journalists, awarded in collaboration with the Association of LGBTQ+Journalists, is awarded annually to as many as five journalists.
The award consists of “a $5,000 cash award and access to unique professional development opportunities.”
The foundation typically accepts nominations each spring. Information about recent recipients is available at the program page.
The Curve Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage, also awarded in collaboration with the Association of LGBTQ+Journalists, recognizes “contributions of journalists that have dedicated their careers to telling the stories of the Curve community” and is open to “lesbians, queer women, trans people and nonbinary people who have used journalism and media to elevate lesbian issues and causes.”
In a recent year, three journalists were each awarded $2,500 “and access to unique professional development opportunities.”
Profiles of awardees, who are chosen by selection committee, are available at the program page.
Curve also runs a Photo Contest that “follows the legacy of representation, self-expression, and creativity found in Curve magazine’s lesbian life photo contests.”
The foundation displays entries on its website “to expand understanding and connection within and beyond queer community.”
Information about the submission and selection process is not available at this time.
In the Stacks is an online speaker series that “that bridges the community directly to culture makers and storytellers who were featured in Curve magazine.” Information about upcoming events is available here.
Frankly Speaking LIVE is another online series. It features Curve founder Franco Stevens, who “speaks on the legacy of Curve magazine.” Access information about upcoming events here.
Beyond the Rainbow “is a groundbreaking conversation series that seeks to create an intersectional, multi generational space touching on gender, queerness, race, ability, and activism of yesterday and today.” Information about future sessions, as well as recordings of past events, are available at the program page.
The Curve Foundation is a main sponsor and organizer of Lesbian Visibility Week, which falls in April.
Important Grant Details:
The Curve Foundation’s Award for Emerging Journalists is awarded in the amount of $5,000, while its Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage is awarded in the amount of $2,500.
In addition to its two award programs, the foundation runs online events, a photography contest and participates in organizing Lesbian Visibility Week.
The Award for Emerging Journalists accepts nominations each spring, but recipients for the Award for Excellence in Lesbian Coverage are chosen by a selection committee.
Profiles of recent award winners are available on program pages.
Keep up with this funder’s events by signing up for its newsletter at the bottom of the website or following the foundation on Facebook.
Submit general inquiries to the Curve Foundation via its contact page.
PEOPLE:
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