Wall of Quotes “I think LGBTQ funding tends to be put in a box marked "not our area" and there is a lack of appreciation for how LGBTQ needs and issues intersect with what we do fund.” –anonymous

How Foundations Can Better Support LGBTQ Staff And Movements: Stories From The Field

Setting the Stage Tamir Novotny Executive Director

Time to Get Personal

Let’s Dive In Survey: Stories From the Field

Who took the survey?

Questions Asked: Thoughts about challenges, barriers, concerns, fears, or other experiences related to…….

pushing for foundation practices that make it easier for LGBTQ communities to access philanthropic funds?

“It is challenging to have to work "under the radar" or to help applicants frame their proposals in a way that is not LGBTQ+ centric to increase their chances of funding as the process relates to board approval.” -anonymous

“When MN made gay marriage legal in 2012, no one in my office celebrated. I felt isolated. In fact, my co-workers were challenging me on whether I should get credit for a gift I brought in. It made me feel invisible.” -anonymous

https://vimeo.com/184400600/265c0f6a8d

https://vimeo.com/184400600/265c0f6a8d

Challenges, barriers, or stories you'd like to share that will help others better understand your experiences in this field? Have you experienced any progress or successes in moving your foundation/organization toward supporting LGBTQ issues? What strategies do you have?

“Really no understanding or conversation about gender identity and transgender issues. We have no out trans* staff. -Physical office space and health insurance policies are discriminatory and out of date (e.g., bathrooms all men-only or women-only; health insurance provides fertility care to straight couples, not single women or queer women). Parental leave policy is also discriminatory to LGBTQ people and others.” -anonymous

“I feel largely invisible as a lesbian in philanthropy, and I feel like my colleagues sometimes do not seek my input when reviewing grants from the LGBTQ community, even if they lack knowledge or cultural familiarity themselves. Then I hear back from the applicant that the program officer "just didn't understand what we do," and I know I could have helped facilitate that relationship had I been asked to do so.” -anonymous Play audio

Let’s Discuss

Karina Claudio Betancourt Program Officer Open Places Initiative

Edgar Villanueva Vice President of Programs and Advocacy

Let’s Discuss

Have successfully addressed any of these challenges Have successfully addressed any of these challenges? If so, how did you go about it? Such as… Building internal alliances Recruiting external experts & seemingly “neutral” voices Sharing examples of effective approaches from other foundations Advocating and negotiating directly with executives in power Board training and cultivation

Success in moving foundation/organization towards supporting LGBTQ issues

Play David’s audio

Let’s Discuss

What parts of this could be taken off people’s hands altogether? What kinds of resources would better support LGBTQ practitioners in this work? What parts of this could be taken off people’s hands altogether? What kinds of strategies might be beneficial?

“Education...for a lot of practitioners the main issue is not knowing what the issues are or how to talk about them. It's hard to be a grantmaker on a given topic or see how that issue relates to your mission if you do not understand what the needs are, what the current state of work is, who the main partners and resources are (nationally and locally), and how to talk about the issues in a way that is inclusive.” -anonymous Play audio

“Resources/strategies for finding common ground between current foundation priorities and LGBTQ issues. This isn't always about "either/or," we can infuse an LGBTQ focus into existing priorities to deepen/strengthen what we are already doing. But messaging this isn't always easy.” -anonymous Play audio

“Just being personally liberal or open minded does not guarantee a welcoming work place. I think there are still a lot of stereotypes about our community and its needs that need to be addressed.” -anonymous Play audio

Next Steps… Ambassadors Circle Data and Resources Where would you like this to go?