News

This week, the MacArthur Foundation announced its 2013 class of MacArthur Fellows—sometimes referred to as the “Genius Awards”—providing no-strings-attached stipends of $625,000 each to 24 individuals with exceptional records of creativity and achievement. Among this year’s fellows is Tarell Alvin McCraney, a gay African American playwright whose work explores the complexities of gay and Black identities and experiences. McCraney is an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, and his work is known for its unusual conventions, such as characters speaking their stage directions and expressing their feeling directly to audience members. His plays includes Wig Out!, set in the […]

Between 2009 and 2011, foundation funding for LGBTQ issues in Oregon exploded, increasing from $920,000 to $3.9 million (that’s a nearly 325% increase!). During the same time period, foundation support for LGBTQ issues across the board increased by a more modest 32%. So how is Oregon attracting new funds? Who are these Oregon funders? The second question is easier to answer. Between 2009 and 2011, the top 10 funders of LGBTQ issues in Oregon were: Anonymous ($1,300,000) The Civil Marriage Collaborative/Proteus Fund ($1,100,000) Gill Foundation ($880,000) Ford Foundation ($500,000) Oregon Community Foundation ($422,000) Arcus Foundation ($375,000) Equity Foundation ($308,129) Pride […]

I am pleased to announce that Kristina Wertz has joined the staff as our new Director of Engagement. Trained as a lawyer, Kristina brings to Funders for LGBTQ Issues a deep knowledge of the LGBT movement as well as experience building relationships with funders. Most recently, she served as the Director of Policy and Programs at the Transgender Law Center (TLC), the largest transgender-focused nonprofit in the U.S. In addition to leading TLC’s programs, she also played a key role in fundraising, helping communicate how transgender rights connected with the missions of both LGBT and mainstream funders. As you may […]

Read the latest issue of Qnotes, our monthly e-newsletter.