Global Funders Rally for LGBTQ+ Rights Amid Threats

Global Funders Rally for LGBTQ+ Rights Amid Threats \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Global funders are mobilizing resources for LGBTQ+ groups as rising authoritarianism and policy rollbacks threaten human rights worldwide. The Global Philanthropy Project’s “Fund Our Futures” campaign has already secured $100 million, with a $50 million goal ahead. Ongoing political shifts, including U.S. foreign aid cuts under the Trump administration, disrupt LGBTQ+ support globally.

Global Funders Rally for LGBTQ+ Rights Amid Threats Quick Looks

• Matthew Hart of the Global Philanthropy Project warns of rising global threats.
• GPP launched “Fund Our Futures,” securing over $100 million for LGBTQ+ groups.
• The campaign aims to raise an additional $50 million by 2025.
• Philanthropy efforts respond to authoritarianism and religious extremism targeting LGBTQ+ communities.
• Trump’s administration drastically cut U.S. foreign aid and LGBTQ+ funding abroad.
• USAID funding for LGBTQ+ programs increased under Biden but was rolled back.
• Netherlands and Sweden recently announced foreign aid cuts, compounding challenges.
• GPP and HRFN urge funders to prepare for rapid, unpredictable crises.
• Philanthropic preparation allows more agile responses to global human rights threats.
• Foundations face political risks, asset freezes, and targeting under current policies.
• Private philanthropy remains vital as government support wanes.
• In 2021-2022, $905 million was directed to LGBTQ+ causes globally.
• Top 20 foundations provided over 50% of total funding.
• Funders fear future crackdowns on democratic and feminist movements as well.

Deep Look

As global politics continue to shift toward authoritarianism and restrictive policies, funders supporting LGBTQ+ communities worldwide are moving swiftly to protect human rights amid mounting threats. Matthew Hart, executive director of the Global Philanthropy Project (GPP), saw the writing on the wall as early as 2024, warning that rising religious extremism and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment were blending into a “toxic” mix.

“We knew the winds were not in our favor,” Hart said in an interview with The Associated Press. The concern wasn’t just for policy shifts under the Trump administration but for a broader, global pattern of democratic backsliding and crackdowns on marginalized communities.

To proactively respond, GPP quietly launched the “Fund Our Futures” campaign, aiming to secure financial commitments that would shield LGBTQ+ organizations from funding instability and political uncertainty. By November 2024, they had raised over $100 million, with plans to increase that total to $150 million over the next few years. These funds will be distributed over a three-to-five-year period, and GPP will monitor how donors fulfill these commitments.

Historically, philanthropy has been slow to react to crises. Phil Buchanan, president of The Center for Effective Philanthropy, acknowledged this tendency, stating that funders often adopt a “wait and see” approach. But Hart recognized that hesitating could have dire consequences. “We thought, if we don’t secure these commitments now, it could take years of internal organizing — time we just don’t have,” Hart said.

The urgency has only been heightened by abrupt shifts in U.S. foreign policy. Under Trump’s administration, most U.S. foreign aid was slashed, and executive orders were issued targeting large foundations with investigations. In one memo, Trump accused nonprofits receiving federal funds of undermining American security and prosperity. This sudden termination of aid rippled across global organizations reliant on U.S. support, leaving LGBTQ+ groups particularly vulnerable.

Foundations funding democracy and human rights movements have been forced to adapt rapidly. Kellea Miller, executive director of the Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN), admitted that the scale and speed of policy rollbacks exceeded expectations. HRFN responded by developing a framework called Better Preparedness, urging funders to plan in advance for various crisis scenarios, from political assassinations to abrupt regime changes.

Part of this preparation involves avoiding duplication of efforts and distributing risk among funders. “We have to ensure we’re not all funding the same groups,” Miller explained. “And we need to honestly assess who is willing to take on higher-risk funding commitments.”

The philanthropic sector now faces unprecedented challenges as political leaders threaten to freeze assets and dismantle nonprofit structures. Many foundations are extremely cautious, fearing they could be politically targeted. Yet, the need for support has never been greater.

According to the most recent GPP data, private philanthropy and government donors combined contributed $905 million to LGBTQ+ causes globally in 2021-2022. Notably, just 20 foundations accounted for over $522 million — more than half of all funding. Sixteen government and multilateral donors contributed $175 million, with the Netherlands standing out as the largest single government supporter.

However, recent decisions from key donor governments are destabilizing this fragile ecosystem. The Netherlands and Sweden, both major funders, have announced reductions in foreign assistance, dealing another blow to international LGBTQ+ support. Meanwhile, Canada has maintained its commitments, though future policy shifts remain uncertain.

During the Biden administration, USAID dramatically increased its financial support for LGBTQ+ programs abroad, from $6 million in 2021 to $25 million in 2024. But with policy reversals underway under Trump, these gains are now at risk.

Hart emphasized that these disruptions go beyond financial instability — they threaten lives. “Every philanthropic dollar we secure helps protect trans, intersex, and gay people around the world, who will face even greater attacks as democratic values erode,” they said.

The stakes are high, with overlapping threats to gender justice, feminist movements, and freedom of expression. Hart framed this moment as a fundamental challenge to the principles that modern democracy was built upon. “Gender justice, feminist movements, freedom of movement, and LGBTI people are all being attacked at the same time,” they noted. “That is a fundamental disruption to some of the core tenets of how modern democracy was proposed to function.”

In a world increasingly marked by autocracy and crackdowns on human rights, proactive funding strategies like “Fund Our Futures” are crucial lifelines. Philanthropic leaders hope that early preparation, strategic coordination, and bold risk-taking will ensure LGBTQ+ communities worldwide remain resilient in the face of rising threats.

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