We’ve said this many time before, but maybe it’s time to be more blunt about it:
Philanthropic funding for LGBTQ+ communities and causes from U.S.-based foundations totaled $209.4 million in 2023. This represented a decrease of approximately $48.7 million or 19 percent from the previous year (22 percent when adjusting for inflation). This means that for every $100 awarded by U.S. foundations in 2023, only 20 cents specifically supported LGBTQ+ communities and causes.
We need to do better!
LGBTQ+ spending power is estimated to be about $1.4 trillion just in the U.S. alone. Most of that money is spent outside of our community. But at a time when so much corporate support for LGBTQ+ causes continues to preemptively cower in the face of homophobic government backlash—and when such cowardice inevitably has a disproportionate effect on the most marginalized among us—our community needs to invest in ourselves now more than ever. It continues to astound and confound us that Leonard Litz remains one of a small handful of foundations specifically focused on supporting grassroots LGBTQ+ nonprofits. Even many of the larger national LGBTQ+ organizations are struggling to keep up with the massive funding being fueled to the other side.
Nobody is going to save us but ourselves.
To be clear, this is not just some moral imperative or out-of-touch finger wagging. Through opportunity and hard work, Roger and I have been fortunate to be able to be generous. But you don’t need a lot of zeros in your bank account to make a difference. We’re not Biblical scholars by any means, but the parable of the widow’s offering reminds us that generosity is not measured in quantity, but in quality. The truth is, being generous is a joy unto itself. We know it from experience.
Take a moment to research some of the nonprofit organizations doing amazing LGBTQ+ advocacy and support in your communities. These organizations are the heart and soul of our community. You’ll be amazed by the amount of good they can do with whatever support you can offer.
You read the same headlines we do. You see what’s happening to LGBTQ+ folks around the world. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to step up and support our community—that time is now.