As with many crises, the COVID-19 pandemic is having a disproportionate impact in LGBTQ communities and other marginalized communities.

During this crisis, Funders for LGBTQ Issues is committed to our mission of increasing the scale and impact of philanthropic resources aimed at enhancing the well-being of LGBTQ communities, promoting equity, and advancing racial, economic and gender justice. As we address LGBTQ funding at this time, we also denounce any racist and xenophobic overtones that overtly or unintentionally have pervaded some of the conversations surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. Further, we center disability and HIV justice in our efforts to support our community members who are most affected by this pandemic.

This page is intended as a hub of resources and information for funders seeking to address the unique needs of LGBTQ communities in the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a listing of rapid-response funds and grassroots campaigns specifically focused on the needs of LGBTQ communities, as well as emerging practices that funders are implementing to better support LGBTQ nonprofits and grassroots groups in the context of the pandemic.

Please note that this guide may not yet be comprehensive, and we are adding new resources as we hear about them. Please feel free to email Alexander Lee at [email protected] to suggest additional resources and links or to make note of updates.

Rapid Response and Emergency Funds

 

Community Funds Providing Rapid Response Funding for LGBTQ Organizations Addressing COVID-19

These rapid-response funds are largely housed at LGBTQ public foundations in some of the regions that have been hardest hit and are currently raising funds to provide grants to LGBTQ nonprofits and grassroots responding to the outbreak. Donations are tax-deductible.

 

Organization Geographic Focus Population Focus Organizations or Individuals
Astraea Foundation COVID-19 Collective Care Response Fund Global Women, Trans, and LGBTQI General Organizations
Brave Space Alliance and Trans Liberation Collective Trans Relief Fund Chicago area Transgender, non-binary, and intersex individuals Individuals

Candid Funding for coronavirus (COVID-19)
Multiple LGBTQ general Organizations
Campaign for Southern Equality U.S. South LGBTQ general Organizations and individuals
Contigo Fund Central Florida LGBTQ General (priority for trans communities, undocumented immigrants, and people of color) Individuals
COVID-19 Collective Fund for Trans Communities National Trans-led organizations across the U.S. with a strong racial justice focus and youth/intergenerational leadership, with particular consideration for those who lack access to national and/or local funding streams. Organizations
Cville Pride COVID-19 LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund Charlottesville Area LGBTQ+ community Community members
Destination Tomorrow TRANScend Rapid Response Fund National LGBTQ general Individuals
Elton John Aids Foundation Global People living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS Organizations
GiveOut COVID-19 LGBTQI Global Solidarity Fund Global LGBTQ General Organizations
Groundswell Fund National LGBTQ General Organizations
Horizons Foundation San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ General Organizations
The Human Dignity Foundation San Diego Area LGBTQ general Organizations
Leeway Foundation, (WOO) Community Care Fund National LGBTQ general Organizations
Marsha P. Johnson Institute COVID-19 Relief Fund National Black transgender and/or non-binary, and impacted by COVID-19 crisis Individuals
Our Fund Southern Florida LGBTQ General Organizations
OutRight Action International Global LGBTQ General Organizations
PFund Foundation Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin LGBTQ General (Priority for low-income LGBTQ people, people of color, people with disabilities, and undocumented immigrants) Organizations
Point of Pride COVID-19 Emergecy Fund National Transgender people Individuals
Pride Foundation Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington LGBTQ General (Priority for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC); people living with HIV/AIDS; women of color; older adults/elders; people with disabilities; people experiencing homelessness; and East Asian communities experiencing violence and discrimination) Organizations
Prism Foundation COVID19 Relief Fund National Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ community Organizations and individuals
Radical Muslim Mutual Aid Fund National Asian & Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ community Organizations and individuals
Southern Vision Alliance  National Muslim, disabled, low-income, transgender, queer, undocumented, formerly incarcerated, survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence, those who financially support others, and/or who are financially impacted by COVID-19 Individuals
Stonewall Community Foundation New York City LGBTQ General Organizations
Tegan and Sara Foundation Community Grants U.S. national & Canada LGBTQ+ Individuals and Organizations
Trans Housing Coalition (THC)
Atlanta Transgender people Individuals
Transgender Strategy Center  National Transgender people Individuals
Trans Justice Funding Project  Various states Transgender people Individuals
Trans United Showing Up for Our Communities Relief Fund  National Trans and nonbinary people of color Individuals
Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network Washington state Trans women of color Individuals
Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights Global Women, Trans, and LGBTQI General Organizations
UTOPIA Seattle – COVID-19 QTPI Relief Fund Washington state Queer and trans Pacific Islanders Individuals
Women’s Foundation of California Relief and Resilience Fund California statewide Women, Trans, and LGBTQI General Organizations

Grassroots Funds and Campaigns Providing Direct Relief to LGBTQ Individuals Affected by COVID-19

These are grassroots fundraising efforts to provide direct relief to individuals in LGBTQ communities that have been affected by COVID-19, either directly or because of loss of employment and income. Most of these campaigns are grassroots efforts organized on platforms such as GoFundMe and are not connected to institutional philanthropy or non-profit organizations. Donations may not be tax-deductible.

 

Other Rapid-Response Funds for Organizations Addressing COVID-19 (not just LGBTQ!)

Many community foundations and public foundations are also developing rapid-response funds to support nonprofits addressing COVID-19 in their communities. Most of these funds are not LGBTQ-specific, but most are LGBTQ-inclusive and likely to be open to supporting LGBTQ nonprofits that meet their grant criteria. The most comprehensive guide we know of to date is this listing of COVID-19 funds developed by Giving Compass and the National Center for Family Philanthropy.

What Funders Can Do for LGBTQ Communities

 

Funders for LGBTQ Issues staff have already heard from our members that they are taking or exploring a number of action steps and practices to support LGBTQ nonprofits and communities during this challenging time. These action steps fall into three categories: (1) practices focused on making grantmaking processes more flexible and less burdensome–recognizing that nonprofits are already strained by the multiple stresses created by the pandemic; (2) grantmaking and technical assistance to provide additional support to LGBTQ nonprofits in the epidemic; and (3) adapting internal practices to maintain and strengthen your institutions, particularly supporting staff who may face challenges from caretaking children and elders to mental health during the outbreak.

 

Streamline Grantmaking Processes

  • Communicate to grantees that you understand that the deliverables and outcomes originally planned may not be achievable in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak, and that old grant objectives may be adapted or scaled back as needed.
  • Convert existing project grants to general operating grants.
  • Waive progress reports or final reports for grants so as to remove this burden from nonprofits. If needed, have a phone or video check-in instead, and use your notes for any internal reporting requirements.
    Minimize revenue losses by maintaining sponsorship support even for cancelled events or events that have gone virtual.

Provide Additional Support

  • Support rapid-response funds for nonprofits and grassroots groups that are addressing the COVID-19 outbreak in LGBTQ communities through advocacy, services, and movement-building.
  • Directly provide additional rapid-response grants for LGBTQ groups addressing the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Reach out to Asian-Pacific Islander organizations to offer new or increased support to address the increase in racism and xenophobia against API communities.
  • Provide sustaining grants that renew support from prior years with minimal application requirements.
  • Build capacity of grantees to work virtually by providing or funding access to virtual and online tools and training on how to use them more effectively.
  • Provide additional support to grantees for mental health services for their staff.

Offer Flexibility and Support for Staff

  • Funders for LGBTQ Issues and several of our members have adapted WikiMedia Foundation’s practice of shifting to a reduced workweek, only requiring a minimum of 20 hours of week (with no pay reduction).
  • Ask staff about what resources they need for working remotely, from noise-canceling headphones for those with housemates to ergonomic workstations for those without adequate work spaces.
  • Offer staff increased benefits for mental health services.
  • Offer additional paid sick days or personal days for staff who become ill or who must devote time to caring for ill family and chosen family.
  • Build capacity of grantees to work virtually by providing or funding access to virtual and online tools and training on how to use them more effectively.
  • Offer training and support for staff to improve their virtual and technology skills.

LGBTQ Movement Resources

 

Webinar Materials

The event is over, but you can watch a video recording of the webinar below, and download the accompanying slides.