Amidst challenges to gender equity, grantmakers and corporate philanthropy are called to unite in bold, innovative actions, fostering a collaborative push towards a world where gender justice prevails.
In the pursuit of gender equity and justice, the transformative work of nonprofits supporting LGBTQ+ communities, women, and girls is both indispensable and profound. These organizations serve as pillars of empowerment, championing the rights and opportunities of LGTBQ+ communities, women, and girls across various domains, from education and employment to healthcare and economic equity.
Philanthropy has a critical role to play in ensuring that all individuals, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, have the resources and support necessary for their well-being and empowerment. Despite their critical role, nonprofits serving these groups have a history of neglect and chronic underfunding, hindering their ability to fully realize their mission and keeping them on the outskirts of philanthropy.
Advancing gender equity through nonprofit programming
Nonprofits play a vital role in promoting equity and justice. The leaders changing philanthropy’s game are instrumental in addressing a variety of issues that disproportionately impact equity and gender.
Their programming spans several key areas:
Inclusive education
Gender equity in education includes providing inclusive and affirming educational opportunities, scholarships, and mentorship, tailored not only to empower women and girls but also to support LGBTQ+ youth in their academic and professional aspirations.
Access to comprehensive healthcare
Ensuring access to a broad spectrum of healthcare services, including reproductive and sexual health, mental health support, and addressing specific health needs of women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community, to foster overall well-being.
Ending gender-based and LGBTQ+ violence
Providing support services, advocacy, and prevention programs to address and combat gender-based violence, as well as violence specifically targeting the LGBTQ+ community, thereby promoting safety and empowerment.
Employment and economic equity
Gender equity in the workplace includes offering job training, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship support. This programming is designed to enhance economic opportunities and promote financial independence.
Leadership and personal development
Fostering leadership skills and providing mentorship and networking opportunities. This aspect of programming is crucial in cultivating a diverse array of leaders across various sectors, including strong representation from women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
The stark reality of funding
The funding situation for the most vulnerable segments of our communities continues to be predominantly static and unequal.
Despite women and girls constituting over half of the U.S. population, less than 2% of all philanthropic funding in the country is allocated to organizations that serve them.
A study by The Women’s Philanthropy Institute revealed a striking discrepancy in funding between nonprofits serving women and girls and the rest of the nonprofit sector.
Donations to organizations for women and girls rose between 2019 and 2020, yet this increase was smaller compared to the overall growth in total charitable contributions during that period.
Where intersectionality comes in: racial and gender equity
When it comes to gender and race equity, only
0.5% of giving by foundations is distributed to women and girls of color in the United States –
less than six dollars for each woman and girl of color in the country.
*LGBTQ Funders. “2021 Resource Tracking Report.” June 2023, https://lgbtfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2021-Resource-Tracking-Report.pdf.
Only 7% of grants to LGBTQ+ organizations are focused on capacity building, creating a gap in supporting nonprofit operations, programming, and sustainability.
Given the unprecedented challenges in recent years facing the LGBTQ+ community, it has become more clear that winning and defending rights will require building long-term, sustainable movement organizations and coalitions. Such long-term movement and institution building requires capacity-building support.
Fund capacity building and shift the conversation around gender
*Data is from self-identifying organizations. We began collecting data in 2020.
As we work towards a more equitable and just society, it is essential to prioritize the empowerment of women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community. Nonprofits that support these groups, especially those led by members of these communities, are pivotal in driving transformative change and advancing equity across various domains. By investing, grantmakers can address chronic underfunding and ignite systemic change, fostering a future where women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive equally.
“Brenda provided wonderful, timely technical support on WordPress website issues we could not resolve. This saved consulting fees that we were able to use in other areas including increasing our grant making to organizations doing lifesaving work for LGBTQ+ communities across Texas.”
Ron G., Executive Director
Texas Pride Impact Funds
Long-term movement and institution building requires capacity-building support. By working with Catchafire, foundations and corporations can expect to have the tools and resources to:
- Influence outcomes and seed long-term impact by offering capacity-building support including technical assistance, leadership development programs, and networking opportunities
- The ability to create new systems to advance meaningful change
- The real-time data to understand their impact on women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community
- A platform and program that connects residents, donors, and employees to nonprofits working on gender equity
Partner with Catchafire: drive gender equity and equality
By investing in these nonprofits through Catchafire, grantmakers and foundations can support a more resilient, effective, and impactful nonprofit sector. At the same time, investing in capacity building creates systemic change for women, girls, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Request a demo today to learn more about partnering with Catchafire.