In 2011 we created the Bolder Giving LGBTQ Equality Initiative, focusing on inspiring donors to give more and take more risks in their giving toward full equality for the LGBTQ community. This initiative offers us the chance to catalyze a new wave of giving to support our shared vision for an equitable and inclusive world and build on BG's powerful collection of stories from LGBTQ Bold Givers, the leadership of many of our LGBTQ-identified senior staff and board, and our relationships in the LGBTQ community.

1. Gathering and promoting stories of Bold Givers to the LGBTQ movement
2. Engaging donors through workshops and seminars to explore questions of “how much is enough” and “how much can you give”
3. Developing customized versions of Bolder Giving tools focused on the complex issues of and giving opportunities surrounding our fight for equality in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity & expression
4. Offering training for fundraisers and philanthropic advisors working in the LGBTQ community about how to best encourage donors they work with to “give big”
5. Building partnerships with LGBTQ donor communities, regranting organizations, and movement leaders to expand and deepen their donor engagement efforts
6. Supporting the efforts of individual Bold Givers and philanthropic colleagues launching new projects to inspire increased giving to LGBTQ equality.

Our work is supported and informed by a committee of leaders in the LGBTQ philanthropic community:

• Patricia Evert, Patricia Evert Productions
• Bold Giver Elspeth Gilmore, Resource Generation
• Kris Hayashi, Audre Lorde Project
• Andrew Park, Wellspring Advisors
• Bold Giver Charlie Rounds, Forward Motion Travel and Mark and Charlie's Gay & Lesbian Fund for Moral Values
• Bold Giver Michael Schaefer, Soaring Heart Natural Bed and Out in Front
• Reid Williams, The Reid Williams Foundation
• Karen Zelermyer, Funders for LGBTQ Issues

Since launching this initiative, we have:

• Created and promoted 4 new profiles of LGBTQ Bold Givers and engaged over 2,700 people in teleconferences and web chats with these givers.

• Facilitated a workshop on engaging major donors at the LGBTQ Public & Community Foundations pre-retreat at the Funders for LGBTQ Issues 2012 Conference.

• Participated in planning conversations about new research into why LGBTQ donors do and don’t give to LGBTQ causes.

• Provided ongoing support for Bold Givers who are developing new LGBTQ philanthropic efforts.

Please join us in this effort! If you’d like to partner with us, share your story as a bold giver, help fund this work, volunteer, or share ideas and feedback on this initiative.  Please email Jason Franklin, Executive Director, at .