Funders for LGBTQ Issues

Funders for LGBTQ Issues is a network of over 100 foundations, corporations, and funding institutions that collectively award over $1 billion annually, including approximately $250 million devoted explicitly to LGBTQ issues. For over 40 years, Funders for LGBTQ Issues has been advocating to increase philanthropic support for LGBTQ+ communities. 

In that time, we’ve witnessed a marked increase in the scale and impact of philanthropy for LGBTQ issues. Our research finds that foundation funding reached a new high of $251 million in 2021 (the last year we have data for). However, this does not tell the whole story, as the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community did not necessarily see this benefit. Funding to transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary communities, Black LGBTQ communities, and Southeastern LGBTQ communities has not increased commensurate with total LGBTQ funding. As a sector, we also continue to see an increase in overall foundation funding, meaning that even at this new high, for every $100 awarded by U.S. foundations in 2021, only 28 cents specifically supported LGBTQ+ communities and issues.

As you make gifts to LGBTQ+ non-profits today, we hope you will consider donating to Funders for LGBTQ Issues. Your support helps us to achieve our vision -- a world where all queer, trans, and gender non-conforming people are liberated, loved, valued, respected, and thriving. Thank you for standing in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities.