LGBTQ issues have come to forefront of international human rights and advocacy work, with increased pressure on advocates working for equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex groups in places like Uganda, Nigeria, and Russia. At the same time, increased dialogue around LGBTQ issues around the world have created a push for donors—including bilateral, multilateral and private foundations—to look for ways to support NGOs working on these issues. In 2012, US Foundations alone provided over $120 million in support of LGBTQ issues worldwide. Funding support for LGBTQ work is likely to much higher in the coming years.
This resource guide seeks to provide an overview of resources, guides, and sources of funding for organizations working on LGBTQ issues worldwide to identify good donors for their causes.
Publications/Guides
“A Global Gaze: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Grantmaking in the Global South and East (2010)”
In 2010, organizations working on LGBTQ issues worldwide received 713 grants, totaling US $35,467,361 from 64 international funders. This report by Funders for LGBTQ Issues provides a snapshot of global grantmaking for LGBTQ organizations in the Global South and East, providing lists of top 10 donors for LGBTQ; statistics on regional, demographic and thematic distribution; fundraising strategies; and links to useful resources and networks. This study was conducted in 2010 by Funders for LGBTQ Issues and is available in Spanish and French.
“2012 Tracking Report: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Grantmaking by U.S. Foundations”
In 2012 LGBTQ funding from US foundations totaled over $120 million. This comprehensive report from Funders for LGBTQ Issues details the 4,068 grants awarded by 399 US Foundations for LGBTQ and includes statistics on the distribution and trends of grants, lists of top 10 US Foundation funders, and an extensive list of US Foundations providing grants to LGBQ organizations around the world.
LGBT Funders: LGBTQ Grantmaking by US Foundations
“Philanthropy In/Sight: LGBTQ”
Funders for LGBTQ Issues collaborated with the Foundation Center to develop this interactive map and data platform, focused specifically on US grantmaking for LGBTQ. The interactive site covers nearly 23,000 grants and includes a list of 582 grantmakers in the United States who fund LGBTQ issues.
Philanthropy In/Sight provides the following tools for grantseekers:
- Print/save and export lists of US grantmakers, worldwide LGBTQ recipients, and individual grants made for LGBTQ issues.
- Narrow your search down to specific themes, regions, demographic, democratic indicators, and keywords.
- View contact information, 990PFs and other information on grantmakers and grantees.
- Open map “pins” with details on grantmakers, grantees, and individual grants awarded around the world.
LGBTQ Insight: Foundation Center
“Mobilizing Resources for the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People: Challenges and Opportunities” (2009)
Developed by the Arcus Operating Foundation and FSG Social Impact Advisors, this report uses statistical data and interviews with private foundations to identify challenges faced by both grantmakers and grantseekers for LGBTQ funding. Based on these findings, the report concludes with strategies and opportunities for mobilizing resources for LGBTQ issues.
Arcus Operating Foundation created this resource guide to highlight various funding vehicles for LGBTQ organizations in the Global South and East. The guide discusses five ways through which donors channel support for LGBTQ issues, including: grants to developed country NGOs working in the Global South and East; funding intermediaries; cross-border grants; donor advised funds; and by joining or creating a donor circle, study trip, or other collaborative giving vehicle. This resource is an important tool for LGBTQ organizations in determining best approaches for networking with potential donors for funding support.
Arcus Foundation: Giving Out Globally
“International LGBT Advocacy Organizations and Programs” (2008)
This report was developed by Movement Advancement Project and is an analysis of survey and interviews with 25 organizations working worldwide on LGBTQ issues. The aim of this report is to inform donors of the advocacy needs outside the United States for LGBTQ issues, and to provide peer organizations with a snapshot of worldwide efforts and trends on LGBTQ programming.
LGBT Map: LGBT Advocacy Organizations and Programs
Networks & Institutes
Working side-by-side with funders and the movement’s organizations through three decades, Funders for LGBTQ Issues remains the sole organization dedicated exclusively to increasing institutional giving to LGBTQ communities. Funders for LGBTQ issues provides resources, tools and research, aiming to broaden the base of LGBTQ funders to improve grant making and organizational capacity for LGBTQ rights, including racial, economic and gender justice.
OutGiving provides unique opportunities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and allied donors to gather in a private setting to engage in conversation with each other and with respected LGBT and allied leaders about ways to advance equality through philanthropy.
Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) mobilizes the leadership, ideas, and resources of funders to eradicate the global HIV/AIDS pandemic and to address its social and economic dimensions.
Funders Network on Population, Reproductive Health & Rights
The Funders Network is a network of grantmakers who address issues of population, reproductive health, rights and justice, both domestically and internationally. Its members share a common goal: to ensure that all people have access to the information and services they need to manage their own fertility and protect and promote their sexual and reproductive health.
Women’s Funding Network is more than 150 organizations that fund women’s solutions across the globe, making us one of the largest collaborative philanthropic networks in the world. Our members are women’s foundations that span public charities, private foundations and funds within community foundations.
International Human Rights Funders Group
The International Human Rights Funders Group is a global network of donors and grantmakers committed to advancing human rights around the world through effective philanthropy.
Foundations
The Arcus Foundation is a leading global foundation advancing pressing social justice (with specific focus on LGBT equality) and conservation issues. In 2010, the Foundation awarded nearly $2.5 million in grants towards LGBTQ issues.
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice is a philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights around the globe. The Foundation works for racial, economic, social, and gender justice.
Hivos is a Dutch Foundation working to support social change, freedom of expression, democracy, and green entrepreneurship worldwide. The Foundation’s Rights & Democracy Programme has a specific focus on HIV/AIDS and high risk groups, LGBT rights, and women’s empowerment.
The Open Society Foundations seek to combat discrimination by empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex communities to promote and defend their human rights.
Mama Cash is the oldest international women’s fund – established in the Netherlands in 1983. The Foundation supports pioneering and innovating initiatives for women, girls and trans groups around the world.
Free & Equal is an initiative of the United Nations Human Rights Office and operates as a global public education campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality.
The Fund for Gender Equality is a multi-donor initiative designed to advance high-impact gender equality programmes that focus on women’s economic and/or political empowerment at local and national levels. The Fund is unique in its focus on turning local and national laws and policies into tangible gains for women’s rights.
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