Q Notes: A Look at the Largest LGBTQ Gifts of 2015

December 2015

HEADLINES

Two of the Largest LGBTQ Gifts of the Year Go to...

This past year, two of the largest gifts were made to LGBTQ public foundations. We asked both foundations, how did these gifts come about and what will each foundation do with these funds?
Click here to find out what the recipients of these generous gifts had to say!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, January 21 - Saturday, January 23 (Chicago, IL)

Creating Change: The National Conference on LGBT Equality

At this year's Creating Change conference, Funders for LGBTQ Issues is leading two sessions. Fundraising from Foundations: An Update on the Field of LGBTQ Philanthropy and Money for the Midwest?: The State of LGBTQ Funding for Midwestern LGBTQ Communities. It's not too late to register for Creating Change!

Wednesday, March 30 - Friday, April 1 (Minneapolis, MN)

Funding Forward 2016

Funding Forward 2016 is coming to Minneapolis, Minnesota! Our annual gathering of grantmakers committed to LGBTQ issues is a great opportunity for like minded funders to connect with one another, learn from each other, coordinate efforts, and maximize impact. Register now and take advantage of the early bird rate! For more information, click here.

RESOURCES

Research, Resources and Updates

The Equality Movement Needs Your Christmas Love

For the first time since the great recession of 2007 and 2008, leading LGBT nonprofits saw a decrease in revenue while other leading nonprofits saw their revenue continue to increase.

Funders for LGBTQ Issues' 2014 Annual Report

The 2014 Annual Report highlights our growth as a network of foundations and corporations working to increase funding for LGBTQ communities.

LGBT Inclusion in Sports

The Center for American Progress undertook a study to explore the public's beliefs about professional sports teams that support LGBT issues, which are often perceived as controversial.

New Study of Midlife and Older Gay Men Links "Internalized Gay Ageism" with Depressive Symptoms

This study explores how ageism and homophobia are jointly internalized by gay men, whether these feelings affect their mental health, and whether a sense of "mattering" (the degree to which they feel they are important to others and a significant part of the world around them) offsets any mental health deficits associated with internalized gay ageism.

Philanthropic Support to Address HIV/AIDS in 2014

Funders Concerned About AIDS' latest report revealed that global private funding for HIV totaled US$ 618 million, an 8% increase (US$46 million) from 2013. The 2014 increase was driven by significant increases from the top two funders, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Philanthropy and the Social Economy: Blueprint 2016

The Blueprint provides an overview of the current landscape, points to major trends, and directs your attention to horizons where you can expect some important breakthroughs in the coming year.

Requests for Proposals

Lesbian Health Fund

The Lesbian Health Fund (LHF), a program of GLMA, is currently accepting proposals for research on lesbian health. LHF grants range from $500 - $10,000. Many applications are for small projects structured to provide pilot data for subsequent research. The deadline to submit is February 1, 2016. For more information about the 2015 grants and to apply, click here.

Point Foundation

Point Foundation is a national LGBTQ non-profit organization designed to nurture the LGBTQ leaders of the next generation, with the generous support of others. Point empowers promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential-despite the obstacles often put before them-to make a significant impact on society. The deadline to submit Part I of the application is January 19, 2016. For more information about the 2016 grants and to apply, click here.

Recent Grant Award Announcements

Increasing Religious Support for LGBT Justice Is a Primary Aim of Current Arcus Grant Cycle
Lifting the voices and expanding the reach of religious leaders who stand up for LGBT equality in the United States is the shared goal of many grant recipients in the Arcus Foundation winter 2015 portfolio.

Our Sarasota Fund Helps LGBT Nonprofits
Two years ago, a group of LGBT and allied donors created a special fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC) called Our Sarasota Fund. By gathering donors who want to contribute to LGBT causes, Our Sarasota Fund has partnered with existing resources provided by CFSC and is entering its third year of providing support to local nonprofits.

Pride Foundation Invests to Support LGBTQ People in 2015
Pride Foundation announced that it has invested over $7.5 million this year to expand opportunities and advance full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals and families throughout the Northwest. They have announced 66 Northwest organizations receiving community grants.

LGBTQ PEOPLE IN PHILANTHROPY

People on the Move in LGBTQ Philanthropy

Paul DiDonato

Paul has served as the Director of the Civil Marriage Collaborative since 2007. He has now been appointed interim President and CEO of Proteus Fund. Congratulations, Paul!

Albert Ruesga

Albert Ruesga, President & CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF), will be leaving GNOF at the end of June 2016 to return to consulting for foundations and nonprofits. Albert has been with GNOF for seven years. Best wishes to both Albert and GNOF on the transition!

Jobs in LGBTQ Philanthropy

Corporate Relations and Event Manager

Horizons Foundation

(San Francisco, CA)

Communications Associate

Foundation for a Just Society

(New York, NY)

Integrated Voter Engagement Organizer

Groundswell Fund

(Oakland, CA)

Program Director

Leeway Foundation

(Philadelphia, PA)

Executive Director

Guilford Green Foundation

(Greensboro, NC)

Director of Programs

Talent Philanthropy

(New York, NY)

Program Officer

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade

(New York, NY)

Funders for LGBTQ Issues seeks to mobilize philanthropic resources that enhance the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, promote equity, and advance racial, economic and gender justice.

Board of Directors:

Chair Cindy Rizzo (The Arcus Foundation) · Vice Chair Rebecca Fox (Wellspring Advisors) · Treasurer Kristine Stallone (American Jewish World Service) · Secretary Beatriz "Bia" Vieira (Philanthropic Consultant) · Rohit Burman (M.A.C. AIDS Fund) · Alfredo Cruz (Foundation for Louisiana) · Gabriel Foster (Trans Justice Funding Project) · Matthew "Matty" Hart (Global Philanthropy Project and The Calamus Foundation, DE) · Surina Khan (The Women's Foundation of California) · Mitchell Singer (Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors) · Patricia St. Onge (Seven Generations Consulting and Coaching) · Nathaniel "Toby" Thompkins (Tides 21st Century) · Rye Young (Third Wave Fund)

Institutional Members

11th Hour Project · American Jewish World Service · Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund · Anonymous · Arcus Foundation · Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice · Boston Foundation · The Calamus Foundation, DE · The California Endowment · California Wellness Foundation · The Cleveland Foundation · Community Foundation for Northeast Florida · Community Foundation Santa Cruz County · Con Alma Health Foundation · Cream City Foundation · The David Bohnett Foundation · Driscoll's Charitable Fund · Dwight Stuart Youth Fund · Elton John AIDS Foundation · Equity Foundation · Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund · Ford Foundation · Foundation for the Carolinas · Foundation for Louisiana · Freeman Foundation · GE Foundation · Gill Foundation · Gilmour-Jirgens Fund · Groundswell Fund · Guilford Green Foundation · Henry van Ameringen Foundation · Horizons Foundation · Jeff Chartrand Advised Fund · John Larsen Foundation · The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation · Johnson Family Foundation · Kicking Assets Fund · Laughing Gull Foundation · Levi Strauss Foundation · M.A.C. AIDS Fund · Marguerite Casey Foundation · Mukti Fund · New York Women's Foundation · North Star Fund · Our Fund, Inc. · Overbrook Foundation · The Palette Fund · Philanthrofund Foundation · Polk Bros. Foundation · Pride Foundation · Proteus Fund, Inc. · Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · Rosenberg Foundation · Tides 21st Century · The Samuel S. Fels Fund · San Diego Human Dignity Foundation · San Francisco AIDS Foundation · Santa Fe Community Foundation · Small Change Foundation · Stonewall Community Foundation · Vermont Community Foundation · Wells Fargo · Wild Geese Foundation · The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation · Women's Foundation of California

Have a content idea for Q Notes? Contact Naa Hammond at naa@lgbtfunders.org or 212.475.2930.

The Road Map to $200 Million (2015)

Vital Funding, Part Two (2015)

Out in the South, Part Three (2015)