Tomorrow is Trans Day of Remembrance, the annual observance of those whose lives were tragically lost to anti-transgender violence. This somber day reminds us of the critical need to provide support to trans communities. Since 2002, funding for transgender communities has increased more than seven-fold, twice the rate of growth for LGBTQ funding in general. However, there continue to be immense disparities within trans and gender non-conforming communities that could benefit greatly from increased funding. Between 2011 and 2012, foundations invested more than $10.3 million in transgender issues, representing 4 percent of LGBTQ funding overall.

The top ten U.S.-based funders of trans issues in 2011 and 2012 combined were:

1. Open Society Foundations – $2,730,808
2. Anonymous – $1,325,000
3. Arcus Foundation – $1,107,500
4. Tides Foundation – $707,500
5. The Paul Rapoport Foundation – $678,500
6. American Jewish World Service – $455,000
7. Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice – $377,510
8. New York Women’s Foundation – $360,000
9. Gill Foundation – $317,500
10. amfAR, Foundation for AIDS Research – $305,531

In 2013, significant developments for trans funding included the launch of the Trans Justice Funding Project and a $1.35 million grant from the Tawani Foundation to the Palm Center to examine transgender military service.

Our 2013 Tracking Report: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Grantmaking by U.S. Foundations, will be released in the coming weeks featuring statistics on 2013 foundation funding for trans issues. In early 2015, we will be releasing a report specifically highlighting funding for trans communities over the past three years.