Perspectives

The following commentators represent a broad range of nonprofit leaders, grantmakers, academics and pundits who have led—and continue to shape—the discourse on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) issues. Through their activism, grantmaking and writing, they offer valuable insights into the multiple ways that most grantmakers can support LGBTQ communities of color. We'll continue to build this library of perspectives and welcome suggestions for future commentators.

	Urvashi Vaid, Arcus Foundation Sexual orientation, gender identity and race. From strengthening health care to overcoming age prejudice, to promoting racial and economic justice and cultivating straight allies, Arcus Foundation Executive Director Urvashi Vaid discusses how funders can affect the issues of today.

	Katie Brisson, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Everyone learns along the way. For the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, launching an initiative to better support local LGBTQ people of color organizations sparked learning among everyone involved: staff members, trustees and ultimately, the entire community. Senior Program Officer Katie Brisson discusses this initiative.

	Greg Grinley, PFund Foundation From listening to leadership. Over the last decade, the Minneapolis-based PFund Foundation recognized the need and value of addressing the diversity of LGBTQ populations. It now leads the way in the state in supporting LGBTQ people of color organizations and leaders. Executive Director Greg Grinley tells their story.

	Jessica Bearman, Anna-Nanine S. Pond, Mary Ellen Capek, Diversity in Philanthropy Project The benefits of multiple perspectives. More and more foundations, at the CEO and trustee level, are recognizing that enhanced diversity and inclusion can improve grantmaking and help address complex, entrenched societal issues. The Diversity in Philanthropy Project discusses how grantmakers can support LGBTQ communities of color by first engaging them in conversation.

	Jane Schwartz, Paul Rapoport Foundation A strategic transformation. For the Paul Rapoport Foundation, a strategic plan shifted both its board make-up and its grantee list. Five years later, it's a role model for LGBTQ people of color grantmaking. Executive Director Jane Schwartz describes this success.

	Ron Rowell, Native Americans in Philanthropy The importance of native histories. Learning the various histories and crushing societal conditions of Native people in our country—including Two-Spirit communities—is crucial for grantmakers. Native Americans in Philanthropy Board Chair Ron Rowell shares some insights.

	Roger Doughty & Jewelle Gomez, Horizons Foundation Investing in leadership. Horizons Foundation has supported numerous leading LGBTQ organizations across the Bay Area since 1980—today it's helping diversify the leadership of LGBTQ organizations. Roger Doughty, Executive Director, and Jewelle Gomez, Director of Grants and Community Initiatives, discuss their foundation's successes.

	Ignatius Bau, The California Endowment A healthy, more equitable society. From patient-centered quality care to immigration reform, many policies explicitly affect LGBTQ people of color. The California Endowment believes that what's most most needed for LGBTQ communities is what's most needed for everyone in our society. Program Director Ignatius Bau explains this framework.

	Audrey Haberman, Pride Foundation Heightened isolation. The Seattle-based Pride Foundation has helped address the heightened isolation, vulnerability and marginalization among LGBTQ communities of color in the Pacific Northwest—a region with many predominantly white, largely rural, areas. Executive Director Audrey Haberman shares their story.

Featured Perspectives

Aging

Asian/Pacific Islanders

Black/African American

Diversity and Inclusion

Economic Justice

Grantmaking

Health

HIV/AIDS

Immigration

Latina/o

Leadership Development

LGBTQ Movement

Media

National

Native/Two-Spirit

Private Foundations

Public Policy

Public/Community Foundations

Region: Midwest

Region: Northeast

Region: South

Region: West

Research

Rural Issues

Social Justice

State & Local

Transgender

Youth

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