Pictured above: Henry van Ameringen (center) after accepting The Paul Rapoport Lifetime Achievement Award, with Katherine Acey (left) and Michael Seltzer (right). November 2, 2017.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Henry van Ameringen, a leading funder of LGBTQ communities and efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.

For decades Henry was a committed and strategic philanthropist who has moved millions of dollars to support the wellbeing of LGBTQ people, combat the impacts HIV/AIDS, and fight for social justice. At a time when very few were willing to fund the HIV/AIDS response or lesbian and gay issues, Henry stepped up to provide critical support. His leadership in LGBTQ philanthropy continued to the present as a top funder of LGBTQ communities, particularly communities of color, with a focus on advancing social justice through advocacy, civic engagement, and community organizing. The impacts of Henry’s decades-long commitment continue to be felt today and will be with us for years to come.

In 2017 Funders for LGBTQ Issues was honored to recognize Henry’s lifetime of achievement with The Paul Rapoport Lifetime Achievement Award, presented at our 35th-anniversary event. In the company of many friends and colleagues, we celebrated his enduring commitment to improving the wellbeing of LGBTQ communities, advancing social justice, and strengthening LGBTQ philanthropy. Kristina Wertz, Acting President of Funders for LGBTQ Issues, reflected that “Henry’s legacy is a model of philanthropic leadership and commitment that we can continue to learn from today. His bold early investments in our movement have impacted the lives of so many, and I am so grateful that we were able to honor Henry while he was still with us.”

We send our sincere condolences to Henry’s family and community.

Pictured: Henry van Ameringen (center) after accepting The Paul Rapoport Lifetime Achievement Award, with Katherine Acey (left) and Michael Seltzer (right). November 2, 2017.