Earlier this month, we lost Michael Seltzer, Funders for LGBTQ Issues co-founder and a transformative leader in LGBTQ and AIDS advocacy. Michael has left an incredible legacy and a mark on organizations like Lambda Legal, Funders Concerned About AIDS, New York’s LGBT Community Center, and more. We're proud to continue his work forty-three years later. We honor his legacy by working towards our vision of a world where all queer and trans people are liberated, loved, valued, respected, and thriving. We asked our co-founder, Katherine Acey, and former interim Executive Director Richard Burns, who knew Michael closely, to share a few words about their relationship with him.
"Michael will be remembered and appreciated for the many things he did and led brilliantly and modestly for our communities. Even more importantly, he will be remembered for who he was to me and so many others. A guiding light, compassionate, curious, optimistic, loyal, and irresistibly lovable. He and his honey Ralph have my heart always." — Katherine Acey
“Michael & I met in September of 1980 at Lambda Legal and were friends for 45 years. His bravery and leadership leave a remarkable legacy. He stepped up again and again when called, at Lambda Legal, at New York’s LGBT Center, and in the countless ways he helped and mentored rising activists and leaders. His kindness and generosity informed everything he did. He leaves many devoted friends as well as the light of his life, his husband & lover Ralph Tachuk.” — Richard Burns
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In light of the recent petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the right to marriage equality, a right affirmed nationwide in the Court’s 2015 landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, LGBTQ communities and allies have been bracing for this moment. Our Deputy Director, Alexander Lee, shares a message in this post and urges the philanthropic sector to continue supporting LGBTQ communities and our resistance work. |
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Following the release of the 2023 Resource Tracking Report, we're collecting data for 2024 LGBTQ grants data! Please submit your data by Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
The next Resource Tracking Report will document grants awarded in calendar year 2024 by U.S.-based foundations to LGBTQ communities and causes. The data you provide is invaluable – not only for Funders for LGBTQ Issues’ annual Resource Tracking Report – but also for other specialty reports, including the biennial Global Resources Report produced in partnership with the Global Philanthropy Project (GPP) and also scheduled for release next year.
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We have welcomed 5 new institutional members in 2025! Our work is not possible without our members, and we are excited to continue growing this vibrant community of over 100 foundations and philanthropic institutions.
Read more about our membership program and benefits or contact Amara Reese-Hansell to learn more and join today. |
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Our virtual offices will be closed starting Monday, August 18. We will be back after Labor Day weekend on Tuesday, September 2nd. Thank you for your patience. |
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| Members-Only Workshop: Collective Access Through Disability- and Trans-Inclusive Spaces
Building on the Disability Justice principle of Collective Access, we invite you to an interactive members-only workshop on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 1:00 PM—3:00 PM ET, in collaboration with the Disability Philanthropy Forum. The workshop will help participants embed access into our daily work through lessons from the Disability Justice and Trans liberation movements. This workshop is only available to members of Funders for LGBTQ Issues and Disability & Philanthropy Forum. Not a member but interested in joining? Get in touch with Membership Engagement Officer, Amara Reese-Hansell.
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How Funders Can Impact LGBTQ Health
Join Funders’ Luna Moreta Avila, Grantmakers United for Trans Communities (GUTC) Project Director, and other panelists on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 1:00 pm for a virtual briefing for philanthropic leaders on advancing LGBTQ health equity. This event is in partnership with the Mazzoni Center. |
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How to Submit Your 2024 LGBTQ Grant Data
Join our Research Team for office hours on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 1:00 PM - 2:00 pm to get your questions answered about data collection for the 22nd Resource Tracking Report, studying the grants given to the LGBTQ communities and causes in 2024. |
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Queer & Trans People in Emergent Space (QTPIES) is an affinity group for queer and trans folks working in philanthropy. Join us for our final virtual meeting of the year on Thursday, October 16th, at 4 pm EST for peer support and network-building opportunities. |
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On Monday, June 30th, Funders for LGBTQ Issues launched our 2023 Resource Tracking Report: LGBTQ Grantmaking by U.S. Foundations in a hybrid event held at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice in New York City. The launch featured Joy Chia (Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice), Melanie Willingham Jaggers (GLSEN), Alicia Sanchez Gill (Emergent Fund), and Elisa Crespo (Stonewall Community Foundation) for a powerful conversation reflecting on the report findings and ways funders can act to resource our movements. Read our recap of the report launch.
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Shaena Johnson, Ashe Helm-Hernández, April Bethea, and Amara Reese-Hansell from our Programs and External Affairs teams attended the Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG) Convening in Nashville, Tennessee, July 14 - 17th. Shaena spoke on the session Climate Justice is Queer Justice with former Funders Board Chair, Cynthia Renfro, and Valerie Ann Johnson (North Carolina Environmental Justice Network).
We hosted a private dinner for our network on Wednesday evening in partnership with the Foundation for a Just Society, exploring how our members can show up in this moment. We are grateful for the time spent connecting with members and partners. Thanks to the team at NFG for a wonderful conference. |
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Listen to Alexander Lee on TransLash Media Podcast with Imara Jones
Funders for LGBTQ Issues Deputy Director Alexander L. joined Imara Jones on the Funding Trans Movement Episode of TransLash Media Podcast to discuss the urgent funding challenges trans-led organizations are facing and to explore how community-driven philanthropy is helping to fill the gaps. Also check out the 2023 Resource Tracking Report that Alex references in the podcast.
New Report from CEP
A new report from The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) Voices That Matter: How Nonprofits and Foundations Engage With the Communities They Support, reveals that while foundations heavily rely on nonprofit partners to understand community needs, most provide little support for these critical feedback collection efforts. Meanwhile, nonprofits cite "lack of capacity" as their top challenge when it comes to collecting community feedback.
2025 Call for Grantmakers In Health Board Nominations
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is seeking nominations for a few positions on its board of directors for terms beginning in March 2026. Self-nominations are welcome. Nominations Due Friday, September 12, 2025.
GIH is committed to better health for all through better philanthropy and is seeking candidates who align with this vision and are committed to advancing health equity. Ideal candidates represent the diversity of health philanthropy across a variety of personal and professional dimensions, including demographics, life experience, professional skills, geographic location, organization size and assets, and type of health funder. Funding by Community, for Community: Headwaters Foundation for Justice
Northwest Area Foundation featured Headwaters Foundation for Justice in their latest grantee spotlight and shared more about their work and ethos. Headwaters Foundation for Justice demonstrates how their committment to community-led decision-making and organizing funder commitment gets money into the hands of people closest to the issues.
Thirty-Five Ways Organizations Can Support Disabled People
Every issue is a disability issue, and many people with disabilities are at risk of being left behind or further segregated from our democracy. The Disability & Philanthropy Forum created a list of 35 ways philanthropic organizations can honor, educate, and stand in solidarity with disabled movement leaders and advocates.
Council on Foundations’ Building Together is heading to Seattle from May 4–7, 2026
Building Together is a biennial gathering for philanthropic professionals eager to connect and collaborate across differences. It’s an immersive learning experience designed to help attendees build the skills, strategies, and relationships needed to bridge divides and strengthen our shared future.
Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA) Conference
The GIA Conference, which will be held in Minnesota from October 19 to 22, is calling on funders, artists, and cultural leaders to "trouble" dominant narratives by holding multiple truths, investing in cultural movements, and challenging revisionist histories.
Rockwood Leadership Institute announced the official launch of their 2025 Trans Movement Leaders Fellowship (TMLF) for trans and gender-nonconforming leaders.
The Trans Movement Leaders Fellowship will consist of two in-person 4-day sessions, peer coaching, and virtual Community Calls.
Session 1 - January 27 - 30, 2026 |Pescadero, CA
Session 2 - March 9 - 12, 2026 | Albuquerque, NM
SAVE THE DATE: Fellowship Applications open August 2025. This program is specifically designed for trans leaders currently working in social change work, including non-profit organizations, grassroots initiatives, foundations, etc. Rockwood will cover full tuition, accommodation, and all meals for the two residential retreats.
Pass this Opportunity to your Community: Youth Advisory Committee
One of Us Global Foundation is looking for six new members ages 16-26 to join their Youth Advisory Committee for a 2-year term, 5 hours/month, and a $100 monthly stipend. The Committee comprises 12 passionate youth from around the globe who help inform and carry out decision-making regarding our internal operations and grant-making. Their work embodies our belief in centering youth voices. Applications are open until midnight on August 17.
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American Jewish World Service
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Arcus Foundation
Arizona Community Foundation
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
Atlanta Pride
Baltimore Community Foundation
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Blue Shield of California Foundation
Borealis Philanthropy
Boston Foundation
California Wellness Foundation
Center for Effective Philanthropy
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
Collaborative for Gender and Reproductive Equity
Cleveland Foundation
Collaboratory
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Community Foundation of Northeast Florida
Con Alma Health Foundation
Cream City Foundation
Democracy Fund
Democratizing Justice Initiative
Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
Edward W. Hazen Foundation Emergent Fund
Excelerate Foundation
Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
Ford Foundation
Foundation for a Just Society
Foundation for the Carolinas
Foundation for Louisiana
General Service Foundation
Gender Justice Fund
Gilead Sciences Gill Foundation
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| Goldman Family DAF Gilmour-Jirgens Fund Groundswell Fund
Halff Windham
Hyams Foundation
Henry van Ameringen Foundation
Horizons Foundation iF, A Foundation for Radical Possibility
Impact Charitable
Jesse Smith Noyes Foundation
James Irvine Foundation
Johnson Family Foundation
Kataly Foundation Keith Haring Foundation
Kicking Assets Fund
Kresge Foundation
Laughing Gull Foundation
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
The Leonard-Litz LGBTQ+ Foundation
Libra Foundation
MacArthur Foundation
Marguerite Casey Foundation
Masto Foundation
May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
McKnight Foundation
Mellon Foundation
Meyer Memorial Trust
Movement Voter Project
Ms. Foundation For Women
Mukti Fund
Nathan Cummings Foundation
New Moon Network
NEO Philanthropy
New York Women's Foundation
North Star Fund
Northern California Grantmakers
Northwest Area Foundation
One of Us Global Foundation
Open Society Foundations
Overbrook Foundation |
| Pacific Foundation Services, LLC Paul G. Allen Foundation Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation
PFund Foundation
Polk Bros. Foundation Pride Foundation
Proteus Fund, Inc. Raikes Foundation
Richmond Memorial Health Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Rosenberg Foundation
Southern California Grantmakers
Solidaire Network
Stonewall Community Foundation
Stuart Foundation
Stupski Foundation
Surdna Foundation
Tagliabue Family Foundation
The California Endowment
The Collins Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
The Wild Gifting Project
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Tikkun Olam Foundation
Third Wave Fund
Tides Foundation
Trans Justice Funding Project
Transgender Strategy Center
True Self Foundation
Tzedek Social Justice Fund
ViiV Healthcare
Wallace Foundation
Wayfarer Foundation
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Women Moving Millions
Yellowhammer Fund |
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Funders for LGBTQ Issues
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