LGBTQ Groups Received $771M in U.S. Foundation Grants Over 40 Years

Since 1970, some 800 American foundations have invested more than $771 million in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, according to a new report.

Published by Funders for LGBTQ Issues, the report documents the first 40 years of U.S. foundation support. Among its findings:

• From 1970 to 2010, 799 U.S. foundations awarded more than $771 million and nearly 36,000 grants to support some 6,000 organizations working in 117 countries.
• National organizations received 44% of LGBTQ funding over the 40-year period.
• Funding for LGBTQ civil rights received the highest level support, 20%, of issues addressed by LGBTQ funding during the report period.
• LGBTQ people-of-color projects and organizations received 9% of all funding.

In 2010, 318 organizations donated $97 million in support of LGBTQ issues and organizations, the report said.

Following are the top 10 LGBTQ grant makers during the 40-year period identified by the report:

Anonymous Funders (unidentified number): $ 90.1 million

Arcus Foundation: $ 77.9 million

Gill Foundation: $ 66.3 million

Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund: $ 46.6 million

Ford Foundation: $ 46.1 million

H. van Ameringen Foundation: $ 25.3 million

Pride Foundation: $ 22.5 million

Horizons Foundation: $ 21.7 million

Tides Foundation: $ 18.1 million

California Endowment: $ 16.3 million

During the same period, the 10 largest corporate foundation grant makers were Wells Fargo, Levi Strauss, M.A.C. AIDS Fund, Verizon, PepsiCo, American Express Co., JPMorgan Chase, Chrysler, Bank of America and Macy’s.