Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FUNDERS FOR LGBTQ ISSUES WORK TO INCREASE THE SCALE AND IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPIC RESOURCES AIMED AT ENHANCING THE WELL-BEING OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUEER COMMUNITIES, PROMOTING EQUITY, AND ADVANCING RACIAL, ECONOMIC AND GENDER JUSTICE.
- Income
- $3.9 million
- Spending
- $3.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 15.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $251,524, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.5 million spent. CONVENING, TRAINING, & RESEARCH: FUNDERS FOR LGBTQ ISSUES PROVIDES CONVENINGS, TRAININGS, AND RESEARCH TO EDUCATE FUNDERS ABOUT THE NEEDS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITIES. CONVENINGS INCLUDE THE ANNUAL FUNDING FORWARD CONFERENCE TO HELP FUNDERS MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF THEIR GRANTMAKING IN LGBT COMMUNITIES. FUNDERS FOR LGBTQ ISSUES ALSO PROVIDED CONVENINGS AND TRAININGS ON LGBTQ ISSUES FOR MORE THAN 100 FOUNDATION STAFF AND TRUSTEES.
- $1.0 million spent. OUT IN THE SOUTH: THE OUT IN THE SOUTH INITIATIVE SEEKS TO INCREASE THE SCALE AND IMPACT OF FOUNDATION FUNDING FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITIES IN THE U.S. SOUTH. THE INITIATIVE RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE UNIQUE NEEDS AND ASSETS OF SOUTHERN LGBTQ COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ PHILANTHROPIC FUNDS BASED IN THE SOUTH. IN 2024, THE INITIATIVE AWARDED $650,000 IN PLANNING GRANTS AND MATCHING GRANTS TO HELP STRENGTHEN 13 LGBTQ FUNDS ACROSS THE REGION.
- $385,188 spent. GRANTMAKERS UNITED FOR TRANS COMMUNITIES (GUTC): THE GUTC INITIATIVE AIMS TO INSPIRE A PHILANTHROPIC CULTURE THAT IS INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE OF TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN BOTH GRANTMAKING AND DECISION-MAKING. IN 2024, THE INITIATIVE OFFERED THE GUTC LEADERSHIP FELLOWSHIP, PROVIDING SIX TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY PROFESSIONALS IN PHILANTHROPY WITH SUPPORT, PEER NETWORKING, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 25 GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2001.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.