Sammy Luffy

Director of Research, Funders for LGBTQ Issues

In 2024, Funders for LGBTQ Issues released its 20th resource tracking report, which documents all U.S. foundations’ funding for LGBTQ communities and causes. We are a Ford grantee and network of more than 100 foundations, corporations, and funding institutions that collectively award more than $1 billion annually, with approximately $200 million specifically devoted to LGBTQ+ issues. By tracking trends and changes over time, we can help shine a light on emerging opportunities for funders and identify where financial support is most needed.

One report finding that we’re excited about: A total of $48.1 million was awarded to transgender communities in the United States in 2022, which represents a 34% increase from 2021. That same year, more than 6,000 grants were awarded to LGBTQ communities in the U.S., totaling $258.1 million. 

Still, a lot of these organizations are having to do more with less; in fact, less than 1% of all philanthropic funding goes to LGBTQ nonprofits. Our data shows so many opportunities to assist them, including funding unhoused, marginally housed, and older members of the LGBTQ community—an entire generation that was deeply impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There’s a lack of visibility for some of these groups, and by naming them in our report, we’re able to make the case for a more thoughtful approach to how we’re funding our communities and our causes. We can show that there are tons of opportunities for funders to support the queer community.

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