Funding Forward provides an exciting opportunity for funders to 

• connect with one another
• learn from each other
• coordinate efforts
• and maximize impact

Yes! This year’s program promises to be filled with dynamic, engaging and interactive sessions, however, there will also be ample time set aside for networking with Funding Forward attendees who are committed to LGBTQ issues.

Funders for LGBTQ Issues is a network of foundations and corporations working to increase funding for LGBTQ communities. We provide three key services for the field, we:

• Connect and create spaces for LGBTQ funders to coordinate their efforts, learn from each other, and maximize their impact
• Expand the scale and reach philanthropic resources for LGBTQ communities and social justice by building relationships with a wide range of foundations, corporations, and other partners
• Provide up-to-the-minute information, research, and resources on LGBTQ grantmaking for the benefit of funders and the broader LGBTQ movement

Registration is open to representatives from any grantmaking entity or philanthropic infrastructure organization (i.e., board members, staff, grant advisory committee members, etc.). If you have a specific question about your own eligibility please contact Stephen Switzer, Director of Finance at [email protected].

Funding Forward offers rich content on LGBTQ issues as they relate to a range of grantmaking priorities, including children & youth, criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, education, health, immigrant rights, racial equity, and reproductive and gender justice.  If you need assistance making the case to your institution how the conference programming will help substantively advance your grantmaking priorities, please reach out to April Bethea, Director of Philanthropic Outreach at [email protected].

Funding Forward 2023 will take place from November 29 to December 1st in Chicago, IL. The majority of Funding Forward conversations, events, and meetings will be held at our host hotel to be announced shortly.

The registration fee covers admission to Funding Forward conversations and several meals. Hotel accommodation is not included.

We will also offer virtual plenaries for those unable to attend in-person. More information on virtual registration is forthcoming. 

Funders for LGBTQ Issues is a social justice organization committed to making Funding Forward accessible to all eligible and interested parties regardless of their economic means. While we currently have no formal scholarship program, if you would like to attend but financial circumstances make your attendance difficult please email us and we’ll see what we can do.

The official start time of the conference is 1 PM CT on Wednesday, November 29th. There will, however, be a pre-conference learning tour from 10:30 AM to 2 PM on the 29th with details forthcoming. Conference attendees will be able to register beginning at 7:30 AM on the 29th.

The official ending time of the conference is 2:30 PM on Friday, December 1st. For those local to Chicago or staying in the area through Saturday, there will be an afterparty the evening of the 1st.

Note: the Loews room block has limited Tuesday night availability. If you are planning to arrive on Tuesday we advise you to book accommodations soon.

FLGTBQI will institute the following health and safety protocols to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and illness at our in-person conference:

• FLGBTQI recommends that all conference participants, speakers, vendors, and FLGBTQI staff have up-to-date vaccinations and boosters for COVID-19 upon or before arrival at the conference venue.
• Conference organizers will modify room layouts for conference sessions for physical distancing and limited seating per table.
• We will work with our host hotel, Loews Hotel, to ensure all conference rooms are cleaned and sanitized before and after breakout and general sessions. The Loews Hotel also utilizes a Merv 13 air filter – the high-efficiency air filtration system- to ensure purified air in rooms with no windows.
• Following The People’s CDC recommendations for Safer In-Person gatherings, we will direct all conference participants, speakers, vendors, and Funders’ staff to wear a mask** during the all indoor components of the event except when actively presenting, eating or drinking. Due to differing abilities in wearing masks for long periods, if you cannot keep a mask on for health reasons, please distance yourself from others and communicate to conference staff so we are aware of your needs.
  
• Attendees are encouraged to bring their own masks. We recommend N-95, KN-95, or multi-layered surgical masks rather than cloth face coverings. FLGBTQI will provide masks for all conference attendees who need them.
• We ask that attendees notify conference organizers when they find insufficient PPE supplies.
• We will provide reminders, signage, and verbal annoucements before and after sessions to enforce mask wearing. Should you feel uncomfortable by the atmosphere of the conference for any reason, we ask that you find a conference staff representative to help mediate and problem-solve.
  
• Closer to the event, Funders will share details on what to do if you feel ill and/or test positive for COVID while attending the event.

All attendees, including staff and volunteers, are directed to wear masks during all indoor components of the event regardless of vaccination status, negative COVID test, or self-determined wellness.

If a venue, state, or local requirements prevent FLTBTQI from implementing or practicing these minimum safeguards, FLGBTQI will host a virtual event. 

If the transmission rate of a particular county increases substantially, Funders for LGBTQ Issues reserves the right to implement additional requirements (limiting capacity, enforcing social distancing) or move to a completely virtual event.  

Each vendor will be responsible for ensuring its staff’s compliance. We will inform vendors, hotel staff, and other third parties (e.g., anyone directly performing services during an in-person event) with existing contracts of our COVID-19 safety protocols for events and inquire how they align with their safety protocols.

 Unless otherwise provided, masking requirements do not apply to outdoor events.  Masks remain a requirement for outdoor events when attendees cannot practice social distancing.     

Masks make it more difficult for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to understand speech or sign language because they obscure the lips and part of the face. If persons who are deaf or hard of hearing request an accommodation, we’ll take steps to ensure clear, effective communication and determine remedies on a case-by-case basis. Alternatives may include written communication or closed captioning.  CDC does not recommend using face shields as a mask substitute because of concerns about their efficacy.