This past year challenged us in unprecedented ways. The COVID-19 pandemic has left more than 300,000 Americans dead, created the most significant economic crisis since the Great Depression, and laid bare the stark inequalities that too often dictate which lives have value and which are deemed disposable. A global movement for the defense of Black lives continues to rise in the face of police brutality and emboldened White nationalists. The ongoing epidemic of violence against Black trans women continues in the face of demands to protect Black trans life. This fall, the presidential election challenged democratic norms and institutions in ways that may have lasting effects.
Alongside these challenges, we also found inspiration and hope. Like so many others, our network adapted to adverse conditions and learned to work in new ways. Our 2020 looked different than any of us could have imagined a year ago, but we are honored to have collaborated with so many of you to respond to this moment and accomplish what we have.
Some of the ways our network adapted to the unique challenges of this past year include:
- In place of Funding Forward, we hosted a series of webinars drawing on our originally planned program, including an additional webinar on how funders can address the unique needs of vulnerable LGBTQ communities in the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve already started planning for an adapted Funding Forward in 2021.
- We established a hub of resources and information for funders seeking to address the unique needs of LGBTQ communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Through our Out in the South initiative, we helped several of our grantee partner funds set up rapid-response funds to provide financial assistance to LGBTQ individuals and organizations affected by COVID-19 and supported the Southern Power Fund to fuel Southern movement organizations.
- We helped to coordinate and develop several COVID-19 rapid-response funds for trans communities, including a coordinated application process to minimize the burden on grantees.
While we know the crises of 2020 will not disappear in January, the work we have been able to accomplish together in 2020 makes us hopeful for the year ahead. We look forward to working with you all in 2021 to continue the work of advancing LGBTQ, racial, and gender justice in philanthropy in a critical time for our communities.
More highlights from 2020:
LGBTQ Funding Resources in the COVID-19 Response
We created a hub of resources and information for funders seeking to address the unique needs of LGBTQ communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A New Cohort of GUTC Leadership Fellows
Our third cohort of GUTC leadership fellows continue to inspire us as the program adapted to the challenges of this past year.
New Research Partnerships
We partnered with ABFE and HIP to produce two new resources in our Philanthropy OUTlook series: Philanthropy OUTlook: LGBTQ Black Communities and Philanthropy OUTlook: LGBTQ Latinx Communities.
Our 17th Annual Tracking Report
We released the 2018 Tracking Report and infographic, the definitive resource on foundation funding for LGBTQ issues in 2018.
Fueling Southern LGBTQ Philanthropy
We distributed $450,000 in funding to catalyze locally-driven Southern LGBTQ philanthropy, adapting our 2020 grantmaking strategy to be responsive to the current conditions related to the pandemic and racial justice uprisings.
Mobilizing for Trans Funding
We’ve continued to organize foundations to better support trans Communities through the GUTC Initiative and a range of programming and engagement.
Supporting LGBTQ Black Communities
Through partnerships, new research, and resources, we’re spotlighting Black-led LGBTQ movement leadership and advocating for increased funding to support sustained philanthropic investment in queer and trans Black life.
FF2020 Virtual Webinars
In place of the Funding Forward conference, we hosted a series of webinars drawing on our originally planned Funding Forward program, including specific content to help funders address the unique needs of vulnerable LGBTQ communities in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defending the Equal Access Rule
We partnered with Funders Together to End Homelessness to help foundations take action to oppose attacks on HUD’s Equal Access Rule, continuing to expand on the public policy programming we started last year.
Welcoming New Members!
We’ve continued to welcome new members to our growing community and adapted our training program to support philanthropic institutions better support LGBTQ staff and grantees.
Latest Edition of the Global Resources Report
In ongoing partnership with the Global Philanthropy Project we’re supporting critical research documenting funding for LGBTI populations around the world.
Responding to Political Attacks and Wins
We monitored and responded to the tumultuous political news this past year, from the 2020 election to landmark legal rulings.
