Reflecting on Our Membership Tour
By: Funders for LGBTQ Issues on September 24, 2026
“Once you boldly accept your role, there’s no going back. This would be more damaging than taking a risk. If they come for us – we will fight it. I can’t prepare for an unknown future. At Inatai, we need to show up and be on the right side.” – Nichole June Maher, Inatai Foundation
In 2025, Funders for LGBTQ Issues launched a nationwide Membership Tour. This initiative is a base building opportunity for us to foster deepened relationships with our network, and bring in values aligned funders new to resourcing LGBTQ movements. In a time when we are witnessing devastating attacks against progressive movements, I see this tour as a balm, an invitation to funders to come together, build and most importantly, organize. This is our mandate as a membership organization. To help operationalize a practice of hope for our members, and to remember that our network has access to the power and resources to fund our movements abundantly. With the support of visionary members across the country, we were able to bring this message to philanthropic leaders in Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, and D.C.
We are extraordinarily grateful for the time and expertise lent to us by Aldita Gallardo, Katie Carter and Jaqueline Meyer (Funder for LGBTQ Issues Board Members), Women’s Foundation of California, The Libra Foundation, Northern California Grantmakers, Horizons Foundation, Kataly Foundation, Tikkun Olam Foundation, Inc., Grantmakers Concerned with Immigration and Refugees, California Wellness Foundation, Satterberg Foundation, Inatai Foundation, Philanthropy Northwest, Pride Foundation, Meyer Foundation, Emergent Fund, DC Fund, and Weissberg Foundation. This coalition of funders and PSOs truly embody the spirit of LGBTQ philanthropy’s mandate in this moment: to fund our movements like we want them to win.
I knew these stops would be rich with insights and wisdom. What I was blown away by was the absolute energy and excitement for these spaces. Our tour stops were packed: people are hungry for connection and a plan. There is energy for the work ahead, and belief that our communities deserve – to quote Spirit Mcintire – every good thing.
What I was struck by were the connective threads between each region. In Los Angeles, Richard Tate (President of the California Wellness Foundation) reflected on the ways in which California’s reputation as a deeply moneyed and clear sanctuary state has coincided with a growing movement of queer and trans people and families fleeing their homes to the West Coast. In Oakland, funders and movement leaders drew connections between queer & trans movements with decriminalization, disability justice, and feminist base building – and discussed what it means to take risks in this moment in service of resourcing community-led work more effectively. Seattle’s event brought into sharp focus the realities that the PNW is facing – from anti-trans rhetoric to anti-LGBTQ+ ballot initiatives and shifting political landscapes – but also in the brilliance and vision that LGBTQ+-led and serving organizations are stewarding in this moment and the bravery that philanthropy is invited to practice in funding these powerful organizations. In Washington, DC, under the backdrop of federal occupation, movement leaders and funders talked about the call to action for philanthropy and underscored the wisdom of frontline organizing.
Across rooms filled with long-time members and partners, and new faces and connections, our Membership Tour stops have made it clear that our movements have the talent and wisdom to steward our communities, but they can’t do it alone. The call to philanthropy is clear, as Jaelynn Scott, Executive Director of the Lavender Rights Project, reflected, “Connect us to the right people. Encourage us to dream bigger than ourselves. We need that leadership. Be bold and strong.”
Now it’s time for philanthropy to be bold and strong, deepen investment, and fund our movements like we want them to win. “We don’t have to hold it alone. Together we can hold it. Function like the Justice League. It’s going to take a lot of trust. These attacks aren’t isolated. Building LGBTQ movement solidarity is required to build an inclusive democracy.” – Monserrat Padilla, Satterberg Foundation
The Membership Tour was just the beginning. We look forward to continuing to work collectively to center LGBTQ+, and specifically TGNC, organizing and resistance efforts now and beyond. Stay engaged with Funders for LGBTQ Issues:
- We’ll host two additional Membership Tour stops before the end of the year: Minneapolis (September 28) and New York City (October 28). Join us to connect with fellow members in the region – and if you’re interested in hosting a future stop on the tour, please reach out to Amara Reese-Hansell.
- On October 8th, we’ll launch our HIV/AIDS + LGBTQ Communities issue brief in coordination with Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA). Join us for a discussion featuring speakers from FCAA, AIDS United, Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, and Transgender Law Center about the current HIV/AIDS philanthropic landscape and how philanthropy can show up for our communities. You can learn more and RSVP here.
- We look forward to continuing the conversations sparked during our Membership Tour at Funding Forward 2027. We’re headed to Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 13-15, 2027, and we hope that you and your team can join us. Interested in sponsoring the conference? Review our sponsorship deck.