1. In 2009, 304 U.S.-based grantmakers awarded 3,401 grants supporting LGBTQ organizations and projects totaling $93.5 million dollars-a 12.7% decrease in dollars from 2008 (a 4.3% greater decrease than the 8.4% drop in overall U.S. funding reported by the Foundation Center for 2009). For the second year in a row during the time of our research, LGBTQ grantmaking represented more than 0.2 % of all U.S. foundation dollars awarded in a single year.
2. Similar to previous years, independent foundations provided the most LGBTQ dollars while public foundations provided the most LGBTQ grants.
3. The combined funding from the top 10 LGBTQ grantmakers, by total dollars, represented half (50%) of the total LGBTQ dollars in 2009-three percentage points higher than in 2008. The top 10 LGBTQ grantmakers, by total grants, accounted for 42% of all LGBTQ grants.
4. Ten nonprofit organizations received nearly one-third of all LGBTQ dollars granted in 2009.
5. As with previous years, in 2009 national organizations received the majority of LGBTQ dollars while local organizations received the majority of LGBTQ grants.
6. Program support received the most LGBTQ dollars (58%) and general operating support the most grants (48%) in 2009.
7. Organizations that explicitly serve children and youth again received the highest level of support from grantmakers in 2009 (among the various LGBTQ sub-groups addressed by nonprofits).
8. Ten percent of grant dollars awarded in 2009 went to LGBTQ people of color organizations and projects, 2 percentage points lower than in 2008.
9. Among the various strategies utilized by LGBTQ organizations and projects, advocacy received the most support from grantmakers in 2009.
10. Grantmaking support for civil rights/human rights efforts far surpassed philanthropic support for the other issues being addressed by LGBTQ organizations and projects.

Source: Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Grantmaking by U.S. Foundations: Calendar Year 2009 (New York: FLGI, 2010).

Access our 2009 report on LGBTQ gantmaking in the U.S.

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