The It Gets Better Project, the world’s largest storytelling effort to empower LGBTQ+ youth, has announced the recipients of its 2024-2025 major grants initiative, “50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices.” This initiative aims to uplift, empower, and support the well-being of LGBTQ+ students across the United States.
In its third year, the program has awarded grants of up to $10,000 each to 25 middle and high schools. These grants will fund a variety of projects designed to create more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students. The initiatives include launching Genders & Sexualities Alliances (GSAs), diversifying school libraries, producing sexual health training videos for educators, and organizing Pride celebrations.
Since its inception in 2022, the “50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices.” program has distributed nearly $1.5 million, funding 142 grants to schools in 47 states, eight Canadian provinces, and one territory. The program is supported by American Eagle, the MAC Viva Glam Foundation, and Tumblr.
“Our goal with ‘50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices.’ is not to dictate what communities should do to create more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth. Instead, we empower local LGBTQ+ youth to lead the way,” said Brian Wenke, executive director of It Gets Better. “For the past 14 years, It Gets Better has provided the resources and support for LGBTQ+ youth to dream big and achieve their goals. We are honored to help young LGBTQ+ people realize their greatest potential and make their voices heard.”
The program will return for a fourth year in 2025, with the application portal opening in February. For the first time, individual donors will be able to direct their support to help fund school-based projects aligning with four primary focus areas: Community Spaces (school GSAs, gender-affirming closets), Education (health awareness campaigns, educator toolkits), Events (LGBTQ+ proms, Pride celebrations), and Art & Books (inclusive libraries, theater projects).
For more information about the It Gets Better Project and its initiatives, visit It Gets Better.
Source: It Gets Better Announces Recipients of 2024-2025 Major Grants Initiative to Empower LGBTQ+ Students