Laughing Gull Foundation Announces $1.9 Million in Grants to Support LGBTQ+ Equality in the U.S. South
Grants will support partners as they build power, engage in direct action, community-led advocacy, and provide services and resources at a critical time for LGBTQ+ Southerners.
Durham, NC – The Laughing Gull Foundation (LGF) is excited to announce the approval of $1,945,000 in grants to be awarded in 2024 to 38 organizations dedicated to advancing justice for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. South.
LGF has selected these nonprofit organizations because of their demonstrated commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ equality and work to ensure all individuals can live authentically and safely, free from discrimination. For decades, our grantees and countless other groups across the country have built, led, and grown powerful movements and made remarkable progress towards equality, advocating for the freedom of all people to be themselves and pursue their dreams. Despite the increase in support and visibility, over the past few years, we are seeing dangerous cultural and political backlash, suppression, and violence.
“In funding these organizations, LGF is supporting vital work to ensure all LGBTQ+ people feel seen, heard, and empowered. At this time, LGBTQ+ Southerners, especially transgender and gender nonconforming individuals, face escalating threats and barriers to essential services. Our commitment to justice and equality remains steadfast and we urge other funders to join us in backing initiatives that address critical areas for supporting LGBTQ+ communities including education, healthcare, civil rights, and civic engagement. Working together, we will shift power in the South and ensure LGBTQ+ organizations have the resources they need.”
– Dr. LaTonya Penny, LGF Chief Executive
Our grantmaking approach is multifaceted, funding everything from direct services to direct action. Our current portfolio of grantee partners underscores our commitment to racial equity and includes organizations led by, serving, and empowering the diverse spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community in the South. This includes Black, Indigenous, Latine, and people of color; transgender and gender expansive individuals; immigrants; and people with disabilities. These grants reaffirm LGF’s dedication to supporting and uplifting organizations that are making significant strides in the fight for LGBTQ+ justice in the U.S. South. We hope to see many more funders join us in this vital work to create a more just and equitable future, and provide more resources to this significantly underfunded area.
“LGBTQ+ advocates in the South are at the forefront of transformative change, tirelessly working to secure resources, rights, and opportunities for their communities. They are leading the resistance to certain politicians’ attempts to put us in boxes, fuel division, stoke fears among parents, and spread lies. Our grantees are not only resisting discriminatory laws and policies but are also creating environments where LGBTQ+ individuals can be healthy, safe, and thrive. We are honored to support these organizations as they champion freedom for all LGBTQ+ Southerners.”
– Hez Norton, LGF Senior Portfolio and Partnerships Director
Alongside providing direct, multi-year, general operating support to the following 38 grantees, LGF collaborates with other funders and funding networks to leverage resources and more robustly align and mobilize support for LGBTQ+ organizations that advance change.
LGF’s Board of Directors awarded grants to the following LGBTQ+ organizations in 2024:
ACLU of NC Legal Foundation – Raleigh, NC
*Advocates for Trans Equality – New York, NY
*Alliance for Full Acceptance – North Charleston, SC
Campaign for Southern Equality – Southern Regional
Campaign for Southern Equality’s Southern Equality Fund – Southern Regional
Comfrey Films – Durham, NC
El Centro Hispano – Durham, NC
*Diversity Richmond – Richmond, VA
*The Embodiment Institute – Southern Regional
Equality Federation Institute – Southern Regional
Equality North Carolina Foundation – Durham, NC
Equality Virginia – Virginia
Freedom Center for Social Justice – Charlotte, NC
Funders for LGBTQ Issues Out in the South Initiative – Southern Regional
Health Brigade – Richmond, VA
*The Knights & Orchids Society – Selma, AL
*Lavender Lodge – Lynchburg, VA
LGBT Center of Raleigh – Raleigh, NC
LGBTQ Center of Durham – Durham, NC
*Movement Voter Fund – National
*National Center for Lesbian Rights – National
National LGBTQ Task Force – Southern Regional
Nationz Foundation – Richmond, VA
*Orange County Rape Crisis Center QTBIPOC Survivor Advocates Institute – Chapel Hill, NC
OUTRight Youth of Catawba Valley – Hickory, NC
*Pride Liberation Project – Fairfax, VA
*Rainbow Collective for Change – Durham, NC
Side by Side – Richmond, VA
Siembra NC – Greensboro, NC
South Carolina United for Justice & Equality – Columbia, SC
Southern Vision Alliance – Durham, NC
*TAKE Birmingham – Birmingham, AL
Time Out Youth – Charlotte, NC
Tranzmission – Asheville, NC
Virginia Anti-Violence Project – Richmond, VA
We Are Family – Charleston, SC
Western North Carolina Community Health Services – Asheville, NC
Youth OUTRight of Western North Carolina – Asheville, NC
* denotes new grantees
For more information on LGF’s LGBTQ+ Equality strategies, approaches, priorities, and impact, please click below.
