Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth Through School-Based Projects in All 50 States
50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices
Since 2021, It Gets Better has distributed more than $1.3 million to fund student-led school based grants to middle and high schools throughout the United States and Canada. to date, we’ve funded more than 140 projects in 47 states and 9 Canadian provinces and territories, supporting projects that uplift and empower LGBTQ+ students.
Our Origin Story
In early 2020, when office routines felt like tradition, I vividly remember our team gathered around the conference table for a group brainstorm when one idea shone brightly and boldly: What if we could transform the lives of LGBTQ+ youth across the country by funding projects led by young people to create more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students.
Three years later, that big idea — now known as 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices — has distributed more than $1.3 million to fund transformative projects in schools across 47 states. These projects, driven by students, aim to create lasting change in their communities.
So read on to find out more about the projects we have funded over the last three years and check back in February to apply for the fourth cycle of 50 States. 50 Grants. 5000 Voices.
Meet the 2024-2025 Grantees
A queer literature project which aims to enhance access to inclusive books while producing storytelling events at a high school in Mobile, Alabama.
A school in Arizona that is collaborating with community leaders, supportive guardians, and social workers to create a safe space complete with educator training for LGBTQ+ students.
A Youth Pride event that will blend workshops and games to better educate LGBTQ+ students about dating and sex at a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas.
A Pride summit bringing together more than 200 LGBTQ+ youth for a day of educational breakout sessions and entertainment, serving a group of high schools in Cathedral City, California.
Read about the 2024-2025 grant recipients here…
Meet the 2023 Grantees
This year’s grant recipients cover a wide spectrum of projects based on the specific needs and priorities of each individual school. Winning projects include plans to build a Pride Garden at a school with a majority LGBTQ+ student body in Birmingham, Alabama; reviving the gender-sexuality alliance (GSA) at a school in Richardson, Texas; and creating a Queer Student Union to host events about queer history and Pride at a school in Columbus, Ohio.
Read about the 2023-2024 grant recipients here…
Meet the Grantees 2022
The winning projects include a school in the conservative area of Mission, Texas which will be using the funds to create a regional Queer Youth Conference; a school in Maine that is creating a Gender Sexuality Alliance to train educators and administrators on LGBTQ+ knowledge; a Colorado school remodeling single-gender restrooms into gender-neutral ones; a school in Minnesota which will offer an LGBTQ+ history and pop culture class; and a gender-inclusive closet providing affirming clothes for trans and gender non-conforming students in New Mexico.