Time to Pop Them Wallets: LGBTQ Charities Making a Difference

Our community has always had each other’s backs. The drag queens and trans folks who fought back at Stonewall weren’t the first in the LGBTQ community to stand up for their fellow lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender friends and family, but their bravery in the face of discrimination certainly sparked a revolution. 

Since 1969, the gay rights movement has grown and sprouted an incredible array of charities and organizations that work to improve the lives of LGBTQ folks in meaningful and lasting ways. From big-picture governmental policy to community-based direct action and everywhere in between, there are LGBTQ charities that support almost every facet of our lives.

And you don’t have to wait until the Pride parade to donate your time, money, or voice to the cause. Contributing to some of these larger organizations throughout the year can help focus all your Pride Month energy on spending within the community. 

On a local level, you can buy from queer artists, support your neighborhood gay bar, and give a little extra tip to the twink who makes your latte. For the big picture, there are well-known classics like HRC, PFLAG, and OutRight Action International that we adore. And fortunately for us, there are also plenty more to choose from!

Check out these incredible LGBTQ charities to donate to. They put in the work every day to safeguard and expand our civil rights, support us in our times of need, and educate, house, and defend the queer community.

For the youth

These organizations are helping young LGBTQ people live free, prosperous, and authentic lives:

1. Point Foundation

Point Foundation is the largest LGBTQ scholarship-granting nonprofit in the U.S., offering financial aid to queer students in three ways. Their flagship, BIPOC, and community college scholarships support students from various backgrounds so they can fulfill their unique aspirations.

Point Foundation knows there’s no better empowerment than education. They supported a record-breaking 575 students for the 2023-24 school year because school is hard enough for queer students without having to worry about tuition.

You can donate to future scholars here.

2. Hetrick-Martin Institute

Queer youth are not just our future; they’re also our most vulnerable community members. HMI went to work alongside the New York City Department of Education in 1985 to help create the Harvey Milk School, a first-of-its-kind facility tailored toward educating LGBTQ students.

Honoring Harvey Milk’s legacy, the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) continues to assist with education, health care, and community support for our beloved queer youth. You can donate here.

3. Ali Forney Center

AFC is the biggest LGBTQ homeless shelter in the U.S. They provide 24-hour drop-in services that assist nearly 1,400 youths each year by offering food, medical attention, mental health services, and so much more. 

They stay busy with direct-action assistance at AFC, so you can donate or volunteer hands-on support.

4. GLSEN

GLSEN is a national charity network that runs gender and sexuality alliances for queer student empowerment and support. They also offer schools an inclusive and affirming curriculum to ensure queer students feel safe, cared for, and included in school, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.

In their efforts to champion LGBTQ education issues, they have even helped pass crucial bills like the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act.

Support them by donating here.

Law and policy

These orgs are fighting the good fight within governing administrations and the courts:

1. Lambda Legal

For more than 50 years, they’ve been making the case for equality by fighting for the civil rights of LGBTQ folks and everyone living with HIV, winning important and precedent-setting cases for marriage equality, gender expression, and protections against healthcare discrimination.

Lambda Legal is all pro bono, so they never charge their clients and don’t take any government funding. That means donations keep them running, so check them out!

2. ACLU

LGBTQ civil rights are currently under attack in unprecedented ways, but the American Civil Liberties Union fights tirelessly against all types of constitutional violations and instances of injustice. That includes the defense of transgender healthcare, HIV discrimination protections, and workplace rights, just to name a few.

Become a member or offer a one-time donation here.

3. The Marsha P. Johnson Institute 

MPJI works to eradicate the systemic, community, and physical violence that disproportionately affects Black transgender folks and trans women. Invoking the name of legendary Stonewall activist and influential trans woman Marsha P. Johnson, the MPJI allocates funds to states with the most need and provides an extensive state-based resource map for BIPOC trans folks to access local assistance.

You can donate here.

4. Out & Equal 

Out & Equal is all about workplace advocacy. The org fights for equity, inclusion, and belonging for LGBTQ employees across all industries. They work with executives, HR leaders, and DEI groups to bring a culture of inclusion to the workplace.

You can donate here.

5. Sylvia Rivera Law Project

Sylvia Rivera was another heroic transgender activist who fought against discrimination at Stonewall and beyond. In line with her legacy, SRLP provides legal aid to low-income, New York City-based transgender, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people of color. They help with name changes, immigration services, ID cards, and so much more.

You can donate or get involved with community-based membership.

Media and representation

These groups are fighting for fair representation of queer folks in the media:

1. Lambda Literary Foundation

Telling our stories and seeing ourselves represented in media can change our lives in many beautiful ways. That’s why Lambda Literary provides scholarships and recognition for emerging LGBTQ writers and works to make our literature available in schools.

You can donate here.

2. GLAAD

Defending LBGTQ stories across media platforms since 1985, GLAAD promotes and protects our fair, accurate, and inclusive representation in the zeitgeist. They push for media accountability for cultural change and the advancement of LGBTQ acceptance.

You can donate here.

In the community

These organizations are enriching LGBTQ lives and fostering local bonds:

1. SAGE

There’s no future without the ones who came before us. SAGE provides services and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender elders, aiming to improve their lives and support their caregivers with resources and community connection.

You can donate or volunteer to help create a world where older LGBTQ folks can thrive.

2. Center for Black Equity

The Center for Black Equity works to improve the lives of Black LGBTQ people globally. They are creating a global network focused on economic, social, and health equity to support all LGBTQ people of African descent.

You can donate here.

3. Audre Lorde Project

As a New York City-based community center, the Audre Lorde Project is a space where lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit, trans, and gender-nonconforming people of color can organize toward community wellness and progressive social and economic justice. 

You can donate or get involved locally as a member.

4. LGBTQ Freedom Fund

Because LGBTQ individuals are disproportionately vulnerable to homelessness and incarceration, the LGBTQ Freedom Fund provides bail and immigration bonds for queer folks to prevent the harm, risk, and deportation of our vulnerable community.

You can donate here.

5. The Okra Project

The Okra Project provides mutual aid for Black trans folks through mental health support, rental assistance, grocery and meal services, and more. They also offer a helpful list of resources for trans, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary people.

You can donate here.

Lifelines

These orgs provide LGBTQ people with live support in their times of need:

1. Trans Lifeline

Started in 2014, this was the first-ever crisis hotline for trans folks. Trans Lifeline is a peer support resource run by and for trans people. 

They maintain a hotline for trans and questioning folks who want to talk to a trans person for support, whether they’re in crisis or not. They also provide microgrants and an extensive resource library. You can donate here.

2. The Trevor Project

Last but certainly not least, The Trevor Project is a 24-hour resource for LGBTQ folks who are 25 years old and younger. They’re the leading suicide-prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit providing lifeline support by phone, text, or online chat.

In addition to direct assistance, they provide resources to help people support their LGBTQ loved ones. You can volunteer your time or donate here.