Lola Bakare’s Post

As Pride Month concludes, this recent article from Kevin Bolduc and and Elizabeth Kelley Sohn highlights critical issues in LGBTQ+ philanthropy: Center for Effective Philanthropy's research reveals LGBTQ+ grantees have less positive experiences with funders compared to their peers. Key findings include: 📊 Only 11% of surveyed grantees identify as LGBTQ+ 📊 LGBTQ+ grantees report lower ratings for funders' understanding of their work and contexts 📊 LGBTQ+ grantees have less positive relationships with funders YouthTruth, an initiative of Center for Effective Philanthropy, agrees that as philanthropists and leaders, we must step up to counter regressive movements and ensure LGBTQ+ individuals are seen, safe, and supported in all aspects of society. Read more from our own call to action for funders here–https://lnkd.in/gCcc_niF. As Jimmy Simpson, Jr. and Jennifer de Forest found, the cry from students is very clear: 🔊 Value our history! Value our identities! Value our lives! So, what can #funders do? 🎯 Implement safe approaches to increase LGBTQ+ grantee visibility 🎯 Understand and address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ grantees 🎯 Support initiatives that amplify LGBTQ+ youth voices in schools 🎯 Invest in schools as incubators for an inclusive civic society What steps is your organization taking to better support LGBTQ+ communities? Let's discuss in the comments! #Pride #Philanthropy #LGBTQ #InclusiveGiving #YouthEmpowerment

To secure full equality for #LGBTQ Americans, we must have a functioning #democracy. As The Gill Foundation evaluated our grant-making entering 2024, it was clear that protecting democratic institutions and strengthening civic engagement were critical prerequisites to advancing our mission. Alongside our network of OutGivers, this year we’ve already directed $4.3 million to nonpartisan efforts to expand #voter participation, fortify democratic institutions, counter disinformation, and protect LGTBQ rights in 2025 and beyond. These investments complement our core grant-making, which remains focused on protecting as many LGBTQ Americans as possible, as quickly as possible. We continue to invest in advancing administrative protections, resourcing litigation efforts, supporting state equality organizations, and reshaping the national narrative around the LGBTQ community, particularly #transgender youth. Our country is at a critical juncture. But I believe together we will protect our democracy and continue our march toward full #equality.

Excellent article by Nick Wolny on the power and importance of pink money. LGBTQ+ people are the fastest-growing minority segment in America with regard to purchasing power. Why? - LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be child-free - LGBTQ+ people are more likely to live in large, high-income cities - More people in younger generations identify as LGBTQ+ and are increasingly making values-based buying decisions As the Dorothy Dollar wields its strength, so rises the need for finding balance between short-term gratification and long-term planning. The value of trusted advice within our community will remain paramount. As Nick says, the monsoon is coming. PS - Why pink? It refers to the pink triangle, which has become a symbol of the LGBTQ+ rights movement after being used as a badge to identify LGBTQ+ in Nazi death camps. Thanks for sharing, Travis. #lgbtqadvisor #pinkmoney #millennial #cfp NAPFA Foundation StartOut LGBT+ VC Chasing Rainbows National LGBTQ+ Bar Association GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality CFP Board

297 Companies Lose Their Perfect Score on LGBT Values in 2023 Rankings What was required for this elusive perfect score? CEOs had to agree to the following: Recruiting employees and choosing vendors based on their sexual orientation and gender identity; Vetting any contractors or vendors for LGBTQ policies; Discriminating against non-religious charities based on LGBTQ policies related to sex and gender; Forcing employees to undergo multiple ideological trainings; Providing gender transition guidelines to all employees; Offering an annual LGBTQ+ benefits guide, including a comprehensive explanation of transgender health care services covered by the company; Actively marketing and advertising to LGBT consumers; Covering the cost of gender transition related procedures for employees and their children; Pledging to donate to at least one LGBTQ organization or event; and Publicly advocating for LGBTQ+ legislation through local, state, or federal legislation. Even Target couldn’t sell enough chest binders and Pride Santas to notch a 100%. https://lnkd.in/edWME5yC #Companies2023 #2023trends #2023 #Family #employeeengagement #lgbtqpride #BoycottTarget #BoyCottDisney #BoycottBudlight #boycottstarbucks #Boycott #Christian #woke #wokeness #followthemoney #customersatisfaction #rankings #valuesmatter #valuesbasedleadership #values

🌈 One of the country’s largest LGBTQ funders, The Gill Foundation, is giving $4.3 million to democracy nonprofits in the lead-up to the 2024 election. This is the latest example of a key, cause-focused philanthropy embracing broader civic engagement work. 🔍 Dawn Wolfe reports on this significant move and the impact it aims to have on our democratic processes. Check out the full article on Inside Philanthropy for more details! #LGBTQ #ProDemocracy #SocialImpact #GillFoundation #InsidePhilanthropy #CivicEngagement #DemocracyReform #SocialJustice #InclusiveDemocracy #EquitableSociety #SystemicChange

The pressure for businesses to cave into the demands for not just tolerance, nor even acceptance, but promotion and celebration of LGBT sexuality seems to build with each passing year. Here is how Inspire Investing is holding the line against corporate LGBT activism, and why it is more important than ever that #faithbasedinvestors engage on this crucial topic.

Many #companies showcase their commitment to #DEI. They celebrate Pride month with rainbow logos, establish #LGBTQ ERGs, and boast about landing spots on "Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Employees" lists. At first glance, it appears these #corporations are #allies, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our community. But scratch beneath the surface, and you might find a contradiction: the same companies often donate to #politicians who support anti-LGBTQ+ #legislation. Let's call it what it is: hypocrisy. How can a company genuinely claim to care about our rights while financially backing those who oppose our very rights? It's like trying to walk in two opposite directions at the same time. The damage of this goes beyond just bad optics. It sends a message to LGBTQ+ #employees and #consumers that our #rights and well-being are secondary to #political support. This behavior perpetuates the harmful status quo where our rights are seen as negotiable or, worse, expendable. In the grand scheme of things, what does it mean to celebrate Pride month or establish LGBTQ+ friendly #policies and programs, if, at the same time, a company's profits are funneled into the pockets of those who would see these rights taken away? It's like offering a band-aid while simultaneously causing the wound. Real #allyship isn't about surface-level engagement or ticking boxes on a DEI checklist. It's about aligning one's actions, including political and financial support, with the values they proclaim to uphold. Companies must recognize that their political donations are as much a reflection of their #values as their marketing campaigns and internal policies. For our community, this inconsistency is not just disappointing; it's a betrayal. When a company that purports to support our rights, funds anti-LGBTQ+ politicians, it undermines the fight for #equality and respect. It's a clear indicator that these corporations view our rights not as a fundamental human issue but as a marketing tool. So, what should these companies do? First, they need to perform a thorough audit of their political contributions. It's imperative to ensure that their donations do not undermine the very rights and values they claim to support. Next, corporations should invest in truly #inclusive policies and practices that extend beyond performative allyship. This means listening to LGBTQ+ employees, supporting LGBTQ+ causes, and taking a stand against legislation that threatens our rights and dignity. For companies to genuinely support our community, their actions and donations must be in harmony. It's time for these corporations to walk the talk. Until then, their Pride month celebrations and DEI initiatives will ring hollow. It's not enough to wear the rainbow; it's time to embody its true spirit of inclusion, equality, and unconditional support. I also wrote a LinkedIn article about this last year.

Source: Reviewed, part of the USA TODAY Network From the article: "There are tons of queer-owned companies, both online and probably even in your own neighborhood. You can find local businesses that are a part of the LGBTQ+ community through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (#NGLCC) or by visiting Everywhere is Queer, a world-wide queer-owned business map and online community hub. If you’re a fan of online shopping and supporting LGBTQ+ #entrepreneurs across the country, here are 25 queer-owned businesses you can support today and all year round!" #Pride #Queer #LGBTQ #Business #Businesses #Companies Tagging: National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)

https://lnkd.in/ga-M4fPe Are you a UK-based LGBTQ+ entrepreneur?   Did you know that there are no official data or large-scale surveys about LGBTQ+ businesses founders and owners in the UK?   Please help us change that.   OPEN, a gay-owned, non-profit think tank, and OutBritain, the UK's first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, are conducting the first ever large-scale survey of LGBTQ+ business founders and owners in the UK. This is an opportunity for you to raise awareness of the contribution and challenges of your business, and to secure new sales leads.   Please take 3 minutes to respond to our short survey. Be part of progress, and make your voice heard!   Responses are anonymous and confidential. While there is no need to provide your name, if you do, and with your permission, OPEN may contact you to feature in the report, and OutBritain may contact you to offer support in connecting with our sponsors and other corporates that want to source more from certified LGBTQ+ businesses as part of their supplier diversity programmes. Any personal data you choose to provide to OPEN will be processed in accordance with its GDPR-compliant Privacy Policy; likewise, with OutBritain's Privacy Policy.

LGBTQ customers are among the most loyal, rewarding companies who speak up and support the causes closest to their heart, so get behind an LGBTQ non-profit that aligns with your brand values. Ask us how we can help. #nonprofits #organizations #partnerships #LGBTQ