Learn about grants for LGBTQ causes by exploring the curated list of top LGBTQ funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities by using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.
Funding Trends
The percentage of adults in the United States who identify as LGBTQ+ make up at least 7.1% of the population. One in 5 Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ+ and a higher percentage of Latinx and non-Latinx Black adults are also likely to “identify as something other than heterosexual” than in 2012, when Gallup began measuring LGBTQ identification.
Organizations that serve these communities run the gamut from non-LGBTQ-specific groups whose work includes programs targeted to sexual minorities to LGBTQ+-focused organizations working to address healthcare access, cultural change, and many other issues in order to create a more inclusive society. There is also a growing number of intersectional nonprofits specifically geared toward people with overlapping identities, for example, groups for LGBTQ people living with disabilities, etc.
LGBTQ causes generally receive only $.23 out of every $100 awarded by U.S. foundations and even after marked progress in the fundraising arena, foundations still only give $.04 out of every $100 awarded to nonprofits serving transgender communities. One issue may be the continuing myth of gay affluence: the belief that same-sex couples, many of whom don’t have children, simply don’t need philanthropy’s help.
On the private foundation side, LGBTQ+ support is highly concentrated, with the top 10 largest funders responsible for 60% of foundation support to this sector. Gilead Sciences alone accounted for 18% of total foundation support for LGBTQ+ causes in 2020, and the top 20 funders provided more than 75%. Private foundation support decreased by 21% between 2018 and 2020, while public foundation giving increased, accounting for 27% of all funding in 2020. Corporate giving remained relatively steady from 2019–2020.
The vast majority, 78%, of funder support was directed to domestic LGBTQ+ groups in 2020. Individual giving seems to be the primary source of funding for LGBTQ+ nonprofits. One trend to watch for in coming years is whether or not LGBTQ+ funders and larger nonprofits alike move to tap into the billions of dollars of estimated legacy giving that will become available with the passing of the “Stonewall generation” of LGBTQ+ elders, many if not most of whom don’t have direct family heirs.
Most of the top individual donors in this sector identify as LGBTQ+ themselves, including David Geffen, Jennifer Pritzker and Elton John. Apex donor MacKenzie Scott has named LGBTQ equity as one of her priority funding areas.
Some of the earliest giving for LGBTQ+ issues came out of “by us and for us” community foundations like the Stonewall Community Foundation and the Horizons Foundation — the first U.S. foundation to make a grant to an AIDS service provider. Today, community and public foundations — like the Tides Foundation, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, and Groundswell Fund — play significant roles in supporting smaller grassroots organizations and making grants focused on LGBTQ+ communities of color.
The majority of philanthropic dollars are directed to the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, but funding has increased in recent years for regions and communities historically under-resourced by philanthropy, which includes trans communities, Black and Latinx LGBTQ+ communities and the U.S. South.
Civil rights is the most-funded issue, with grants going to organizations working toward legal equality and antidiscrimination protections. Other key issues include HIV/AIDS, violence prevention work, and ending homophobia and transphobia.
Grants for LGBTQ
ALLIANCE FOR FULL ACCEPTANCE
The Alliance for Full Acceptance supports LBGTQ organizations that address the emotional health and wellbeing of LGBTQ youth.
AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION
The AMAF’s grantmaking for LGBTQ aims to reduce health disparities and improve quality of life for LGBTQ patients, build the capacity of health services to address unique LGBTQ health needs and understand the social determinants of health in these communities.
ARCUS FOUNDATION
The Arcus Foundation, now in its second decade of operation, specializes in defending LGBT rights and protecting the world's great apes. Awarding millions of dollars annually in domestic and international LGBT-related grants, Arcus is a huge player in this field. Arcus LGBT funding emphasizes outreach to youth, people of color, and faith communities.
AQUA FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN
The Aqua Fund for Women supports LGBTQ organizations throughout South Florida.
ASTRAEA LESBIAN FOUNDATION FOR JUSTICE
Astraea is both well-funded and accessible to initial grantseekers, even those of modest name recognition. Astraea prioritizes advocacy for lesbians, transgender individuals and the arts.
SUSAN AND DONALD BABSON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Susan and Donald Babson Charitable Foundation funds an array of LGBTQ causes across the United States.
BARING FOUNDATION
This foundation conducts LGBTQ grantmaking across several areas, especially at the international development level.
B.W. BASTIAN FOUNDATION
Founded in 1997 by tech entrepreneur Bruce Bastian, the Bastian Foundation's areas of focus include the performing arts, LGBTQ rights and HIV/AIDS advocacy. It prioritizes projects based in the U.S. Intermountain West region (Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana).
BLACHFORD-COOPER FOUNDATION
Blachford-Cooper offers modest-sized grants to LGBTQ organizations across the United States.
DAVID BOHNETT FOUNDATION
The David Bohnett Foundation's LGBT funding focuses primarily on LGBT equality and access to technology. Grants are also awarded in several additional funding areas that include the arts (particularly in the Los Angeles area), gun violence, animal language and municipal leadership.
BOREALIS PHILANTHROPY
Borealis Philanthropy describes itself as a “social justice philanthropic intermediary” and runs funds to support grassroots organizations in the areas of racial justice, criminal justice reform, LGBTQ causes and disabilities.
LOUIS L. BORICK FOUNDATION
This foundation broadly supports LGBTQ causes, as well has related groups that are fighting HIV/AIDS.
BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION
The Born this Way Foundation is the philanthropic organization of pop star and actress Lady Gaga. It works to promote youth empowerment, LGBTQ youth and mental health.
BOSTON FOUNDATION
This place-based funder is a major community foundation in the Greater Boston area that makes grants to support the LGBTQ+ community.
CALAMUS FOUNDATION
The New York-based Calamus Foundation offers general operation and program-specific grants for charitable organizations providing "care and support" for individuals with HIV as well as those working on the LGBT community's identity and rights. In a recent year, the foundation awarded a total of over $2 million in grants.
DONALD AND CAROLE CHAIKEN FOUNDATION
The Donald and Carole Chaiken Foundation broadly funds LGBTQ causes across the United States.
CHANNEL FOUNDATION
While the foundation does not have a specific focus area that supports LGBTQ rights, all of its grantmaking programs prioritize the rights of women and trans people.
COIL FOUNDATION
The COIL Foundation supports LGBTQ organizations around the country.
COLIN HIGGINS FOUNDATION
The Colin Higgins Foundation broadly supports LGBTQ youth across the United States.
COLLINGWOOD FOUNDATION
The Collingwood Foundation supports LGBTQ organizations across the United States and does not name specific LGBTQ funding strategies.
JIM COLLINS FOUNDATION
The Jim Collins Foundation provides funding to individuals for gender transition surgeries and related hospital care.
COMMON STREAM
Common Stream invests in LGBTQ organizations located in the U.S. that benefit youth, schools and theater as an empowerment tool.
CRAWFORD IDEMA FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Crawford Idema Family Foundation limits its LGBTQ grantmaking to organizations that serve South Santa Barbara County in California and Concord, Massachusetts.
CROSSROADS FUND
The Crossroads Fund supports community-based LGBT organizations in the Chicago area.
DIGITAL DEFENDERS PARTNERSHIP
Digital Defenders Partnership focuses its grantmaking on protecting human rights defenders and human rights organizations in the digital space.
DROPBOX FOUNDATION
The foundation does not have a specific program focused on LGBTQ+ issues; however, it does broadly make grants in this area.
ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS FOUNDATION
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation awards grants to LGBTQ organizations across the country.
EQUALITY FUND
This funder considers the LGBTQ community across all of its giving areas.
ESMOND HARMSWORTH 1997 CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The Esmond Harmsworth 1997 Charitable Foundation broadly funds LGBTQ organizations.
FORD FOUNDATION
The Ford Foundation is one of the stalwart funders of progressive causes and issues of social justice. Owing to a recent restructuring, the foundation will continue to support LGBTQ issues internationally, but has ended its support for U.S.-based LGBTQ work.
FOUNDATION FOR A JUST SOCIETY
The Foundation for a Just Society advances the rights of women, girls and LGBTQ people.
FREEDOM HOUSE
Freedom House offers grantees emergency assistance for defending human rights, activism, civil society organizations, survivors of religious persecution and defenders of religious freedom.
FRIDA: THE YOUNG FEMINIST FUND
FRIDA seeks young-women- and trans-led organizations combating oppression, violence, and inequality.
FUND FOR GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS
The Fund for Global Human Rights awards grants to LGBTQ+ organizations working in North Africa, Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
DAVID GEFFEN FOUNDATION
The David Geffen Foundation supports equal rights and nondiscrimination advocacy and policymaking for LGBT populations.
WALLACE ALEXANDER GERBODE FOUNDATION
LGBTQ populations are among several groups “currently experiencing trauma and persecution,” toward which the Gerbode Foundation has demonstrated a broad commitment.
GILL FOUNDATION
The Denver-based Gill Foundation has awarded millions of dollars annually in grants for "organizations working on policy and advocacy efforts to achieve equality in the United States for all people, including sexual orientation and gender identity or expression," both nationally and in founder Tim Gill's home state of Colorado.
GLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN
The Global Fund for Women funds organizations that address women’s sexual, reproductive, economic, social and political rights.
GLOBAL RESILIENCE FUND FOR GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN
The Global Resilience Fund does not outline specific goals for its LGBTQ grantmaking, but broadly supports several organizations that support trans and nonbinary youth and sex workers.
GROUNDSWELL FOUNDATION
Groundswell’s LGBTQ funding stems from its Rapid Response Fund, Liberation Fund and Black Trans Fund.
EVELYN AND WALTER HAAS JR. FUND
The Haas Fund is a pioneer in marriage equality and awards large-scale grants for a range of LGBT-related work. However, grant proposals are accepted by invitation only.
EDWARD W. HAZEN FOUNDATION
The Edward W. Hazen Foundation’s grants focus on the impacts of structural oppression and social inequality on young people.
HOLLYFIELD FOUNDATION
The Texas-based Hollyfield Foundation broadly supports LGBTQ organizations across the United States.
JOHNSON FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Johnson Family Foundation focuses LGBTQ grantmaking on sustainable projects that build equality movements and foster a greater understanding of mental health issues faced by the LGBTQ community.
JP MORGAN CHASE
The JPMorgan Chase supports local, regional and national LGBTQ organizations, though it does not have a dedicated program.
KATALY FOUNDATION
The Kataly Foundation supports racial equity and indigenous rights, environmental justice, public health and economic development as these issues relate to communities of color, displaced persons, LGBTQ, women and other historically oppressed groups that encounter systemic racism.
JOHN C. KISH FOUNDATION
The John C. Kish Foundation broadly supports LGBTQ organizations across the United States rather than naming specifics strategies of interest.
LAUGHING GULL FOUNDATION
The Laughing Gull Foundation supports LGBTQ organizations that address discrimination and oppression of LGBTQ people living in the southern United States.
LEONARD-LITZ FOUNDATION
This funder conducts grantmaking for the LGBTQ community across all of its programs.
LEVI STRAUSS FOUNDATION
The Levi Strauss Foundation’s LGBTQ grants are often connected to human rights and HIV/AIDS.
LIBRA FOUNDATION
The Libra Foundation’s gender justice program also supports organizations and initiatives that protect the rights of queer, gender nonconforming and trans people.
LOEB FOUNDATION
The Loeb Foundation names LGBTQ freedom as an area of grantmaking interest, although this is one of the foundation’s smaller areas of giving.
M.A.C. AIDS FUND
The M.A.C. AIDS Fund awards LGBTQ-related grants to organizations working with those affected by HIV/AIDS.
MADRE
MADRE supports community-based efforts to end violence against LGBTQ individuals in rural and indigenous communities around the world.
MARGUERITE CASEY FOUNDATION
The Marguerite Casey Foundation funds organizations that advocate for a more just and equitable society.
BRIAN A. MCCARTHY FOUNDATION
The Brian A. McCarthy Foundation invests in LGBTQ health, education, culture and wellbeing with an emphasis on HIV research and prevention, as well as housing and antiviolence programs for LGBTQ youth.
THE MIAMI FOUNDATION
Though largely a regional funder focused on Greater Miami, this is a growing force in the Southeast LGBTQ+ giving space, which largely focuses on youth and the elderly.
SILVA WATSON MOONWALK FUND
The Silva Watson Moonwalk Fund awards grants to organizations across the country; however, the majority of grants go to support LGBTQ organizations located in California.
MORIAH FUND
The Moriah Fund’s grants for LGBTQ focus on human rights issues at the global level.
MS. FOUNDATION
The Ms. Foundation for Women seeks organizations fighting for broad policy change for women’s rights.
NEW HARVEST FOUNDATION
The New Harvest Foundation only funds LGBTQ organizations located in or serving the South Central Wisconsin region.
NEW PROSPECT FOUNDATION
The New Prospect Foundation broadly funds LGBTQ organizations across the United States.
NEW YORK COMMUNITY TRUST
The NYCT is a powerhouse funder for causes of social, economic and environmental justice. NYCT supports organizations that provide legal assistance, aid individuals with HIV/AIDS, and provide a number of services to elderly, minority and economically disadvantaged LGBTs.
NORTH STAR FUND
The North Star Fund concentrates its LGBTQ grantmaking in New York City and its five boroughs.
NOVO FOUNDATION
NoVo invests in organizations combating regressive policies against marginalized populations, including LGBTQ communities.
OAK FOUNDATION
The Oak Foundation invests in organizations that support the fundamental rights of vulnerable groups.
ONE INSTITUTE
ONE Institute, previously the One Archives Foundation, supports LGBTQ scholars or scholars researching LGBTQ topics based at USC Libraries, where the foundation’s LGBTQ archival materials are held. ONE Institute’s repository is considered the largest in the world.
OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS
The New York-based OSF focuses on a wide range of domestic and international human rights and social justice issues, with a particular focus on developing countries. The LGBT program at Open Society is part of its Human Rights Initiative.
OUR FUND FOUNDATION
While a community foundation servicing South Florida, OFF has become a leading LGBTQ+ funder benefitting a range of causes.
OVERBROOK FOUNDATION
Overbrook's work is split into two categories: human rights, which includes LGBT issues, and the environment. Supports marriage equality and other issues affecting LGBTs both domestically and internationally. A small number of repeat grantees receive funds each year; unsolicited calls or proposals are discouraged.
PALETTE FUND
The Palette Fund supports organizations across the United States that actively break down barriers for the LGBTQ community.
PFUND FOUNDATION
The PFund awards grants to LGBTQ community organizations that advocate for sustainable, systemic change.
PINK HOUSE FOUNDATION
The Pink House Foundation does not name LGBTQ causes as an area of grantmaking interest, but several grants have supported LGBTQ organizations in the U.S.
POINT FOUNDATION
The Point Foundation awards scholarships to LGBTQ students across the United States.
PROTEUS FUND
The Civil Marriage Collaborative is Proteus Fund’s major contribution to LGBTQ funding. This program provides major amounts to a small number of grantees each year and proposals are by invitation only.
RAINBOW WORLD FUND
The Rainbow World Fund supports LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ communities in need around the world.
RESIST
Resist broadly funds grassroots and local LGBTQ rights organizations.
E. RHODES AND LEONA B. CARPENTER FOUNDATION
The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation awards grants to local, regional and national LGBTQ organizations.
JOSEPH AND FLORENCE ROBLEE FOUNDATION
The Joseph and Florence Roblee Foundation invests in women's empowerment.
ROCKING MOON FOUNDATION
The Rocking Moon Foundation focuses its LGBTQ funding on organizations working with at-risk gay, lesbian and transgender youth.
SIGRID RAUSING TRUST
This U.K.-based funder supports organizations that address homophobia and LGBTI discrimination.
AMY MANDEL AND KATINA RODIS FUND
The Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund supports efforts to advance the global human rights of LGBTQ people worldwide.
ROSENBERG FOUNDATION
The Rosenberg Foundation awards grants to organizations working to improve social and environmental conditions for Californians related to justice and public safety, immigrant and workers’ rights, and civic rights and engagement.
SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION
The San Francisco Foundation is one of the largest community foundations in the nation and funds a broad range of LGBTQ and equity-focused nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area.
BONNIE AND JAMIE SCHAEFER FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to women’s causes, LGBT causes and community organizations.
CHARLES AND LYNN SCHUSTERMAN FAMILY FOUNDATIONS
Its Gender and Reproductive Equity focus area seeks to help marginalized groups such as women of color, transgender women and Indigenous women to “have freedom over their bodies, political and economic power, and safety in all aspects of their lives.”
PAUL E. SINGER FOUNDATION
The Paul E. Singer Foundation focuses its LGBTQ grantmaking on equality.
SMALL CHANGE FOUNDATION
The Small Change Foundation funds projects that benefit disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.
SOLIDAIRE NETWORK
The Solidaire Network supports social justice movements in the U.S. spanning the areas of racial justice, Indigenous rights, criminal justice reform, environmental justice and gender justice.
SPARKPLUG FOUNDATION
The Sparkplug Foundation frequently supports LGBTQ advocacy organizations as part of its community organizing grantmaking.
TAWANI FOUNDATION
TAWANI Foundation’s vision is to make a sustained and measurable difference for organizations and educational programs that highlight the role of the military in society, enrich knowledge, improve health and wellness, and promote scientific understanding — all with a common goal of making a positive, long-term impact on individuals, communities and the culture itself.
TED SNOWDON FOUNDATION
Snowdon's LGBTQ grantmaking prioritizes New York City. LGBTQ grantmaking spans advocacy and policy, health and more.
THIRD WAVE FUND
Third Wave supports organizations that address youth-led gender justice activities and programs.
FUND FOR TRANS GENERATIONS
Trans Generations focuses its grantmaking for LGBTQ issues on the needs of trans girls and women.
TRANS JUSTICE FUNDING PROJECT
The Trans Justice Funding Project supports grassroots efforts led by and that benefit trans people in the U.S. It is a funding initiative that awards unrestricted grants and has a fellowship program to support this community.
TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER
The Transgender Law Center supports the trans community through legal work and multiple programs in the U.S. It is primarily concerned with supporting incarcerated trans people, Black trans women, trans youth, trans people with HIV and BIPOC trans migrants.
URGENT ACTION FUND FOR WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS
The fund supports NGOs working in women’s and transgender rights.
H. VAN AMERIGEN FOUNDATION
The H. van Ameringen Foundation supports community development projects and LGBTQ organizations that address stigma and fighting for equality.
VERIZON FOUNDATION
The Verizon Foundation takes a broad approach to funding LGBTQ issues rather than maintaining a program dedicated to them; however, it offers grants to LGBTQ organizations across the United States.
TERRY K. WATANABE CHARITABLE TRUST
The Terry K. Watanabe Charitable Trust primarily funds grantmaking related to LGBTQ causes and AIDS services. It also earmarks funds for other causes like human services and health.
WEISSBERG FOUNDATION
The Weissberg Foundation supports LGBTQ organizations based in the United States with annual budgets of $2.5 million or less.
WELLSPRING PHILANTHROPIC FUND
The Wellspring Philanthropic Fund is a global grantmaker that supports a wide variety of causes, including racial equity, economic justice, support for women, children, the LGBTQ community, people living in poverty, refugees, and those with disabilities.
WILD GEESE FOUNDATION
The Wild Geese Foundation supports organizations that provide safe havens for LGBTQI individuals.
REID WILLIAMS FOUNDATION
The Reid Williams Foundation funds organizations that advocate for social and economic justice.
WOMEN FIRST INTERNATIONAL FUND
Women First supports women-led organizations working towards LGBTQ rights in 5 prioritized nations. This work intersects with global development, health, empowerment efforts and refugee rights.
Additional Resources
Funders for LGBTQ Issues, an affinity group, works to increase the scale and impact of LGBTQ+ philanthropy. It publishes important research about giving in this area, as well as guides to best practices and funding opportunities.
Notable Regional Funders
Samuel Fels Fund - Philly
Horizons Foundation - Bay Area
Pride Foundation - Pacific Northwest
LBTQ Giving Council - Chicago