Together for the LGBTQ Community

TOGETHER for the LGBTQ Community

Leaders and grantees of the Equality Fund and authors of the Equality and Equity report, standing from left: Sean Cahill, The Fenway Institute; Catherine D’Amato and Scott E. Squillace, Esq., co-chairs of the Equality Fund. Seated from left: Stephen Chan, The Boston Foundation; Rabbi Sara Paasche-Orlow, Hebrew Senior Life; Timothy Wang, The Fenway Institute; and Tanekwah Hinds, Fenway Health

While Massachusetts is considered by many to be the most welcoming state in America for members of the LGBTQ community to live, love and raise their families, a report published in May of this year by Boston Indicators, the Equality Fund and The Fenway Institute revealed that many are still struggling. A high percentage of young people are battling depression, even thoughts of suicide, and youth of color and transgender individuals are experiencing a tremendous amount of discrimination.

The good news, also shared in the report, is that Massachusetts has more supportive public policies and services than any other state in the nation.

And Greater Boston has the Equality Fund. Created in 2012 to support nonprofit organizations that serve and strengthen the LGBTQ community, the Equality Fund is stewarded by the Boston Foundation. Its grant-making priorities are guided by an Advisory Committee—community members and allies—who possess a depth and breadth of understanding about the most pressing issues affecting LGBTQ people.

Some 35 nonprofits serving the LGBTQ community have received support from the Equality Fund over the last six years. Grantees include: Fenway Health, an iconic institution that is central to the well-being of the LGBTQ community; the Boston Alliance of LGBTQ Youth, which provides young people with a warm place to gather and receive support; and GLAD, the advocacy and defense organization that was at the center of the successful fight to win marriage equality in this country.

Another grantee, the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, also received this year’s Boston Foundation “Out of the Blue” award, a $50,000 surprise grant that is voted on by the Foundation’s staff.

In addition to its current grant making, the Equality Fund is contributing to Greater Boston’s legacy of equality and equity by building a permanent endowment within the Boston Foundation’s Permanent Fund for Boston to benefit our city’s LGBTQ community for years to come and to expand the progress that has been made in the last five decades well into the future.

THE EQUALITY FUND AT THE BOSTON FOUNDATION

$5 Million

Documented legacy gifts to the Equality Fund to date

$10 Million

Goal for documented legacy gifts to the Equality Fund by 2020