News

Like many LGBTQ leaders, the staff, board members, and members of Funders for LGBTQ Issues are packing their bags and headed to Houston this week for the annual Creating Change conference! A number of sessions at this year’s conference focus specifically on philanthropy or fundraising, and even more sessions will provide valuable opportunities for movement leaders and funders to connect, learn from each other, and share strategies for building a stronger LGBT movement. Below is a short guide to the sessions and events related to philanthropy, as well as those that feature Funders for LGBTQ Issues members and partners. Be […]

I am very fortunate and grateful to take over as Chair of the Funders board this year. I’m fortunate because I’ve stepped into a leadership role at an organization with a top-notch staff and board as well as a network of funder colleagues who are investing their time and resources to ensure that the LGBT field has an effective and impactful philanthropic affinity group. I’m grateful to be following Andy Lane as Board Chair, who shepherded Funders through a challenging transition period to deliver into my care an organization that has gained the confidence of our sector and has raised […]

On December 5, the Joint Affinity Groups (JAG) awarded Michael Fleming, Executive Director of the David Bohnett Foundation, with the 2013 JAG of Southern California Special Leadership Award. The JAG Special Leadership Award is given to leaders who use their influence in their own organization–and the broader philanthropic field–to make a positive change for inclusiveness. JAG of Southern California is comprised of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, Funders for LGBTQ Issues, Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, Hispanics in Philanthropy and Southern California Blacks in Philanthropy. See Michael’s comments below: Remarks upon receipt of the 2013 Special Leadership Award from the Southern […]

My term of service as Board Chair of Funders for LGBTQ Issues comes to a close at the end of December. As you know, during the past two years Funders has navigated through several significant transitions while also working to increase member engagement and enhance our impact on both philanthropy and the LGBT movement. I am grateful for the support, patience and wisdom of our various constituencies – internal and external, past and present – during this time of change. I could not have a greater level of confidence in our no-longer-new President, Ben Francisco Maulbeck, or in my successor […]