Increased commitment will help unlock greater philanthropic support for frontline LGBTQI activism globally
Friday, 22 May 2026
GiveOut is proud to announce that the UK government, through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), will increase its support for GiveOut’s LGBTQI Solidarity Fund to £800,000 per year over the next three years as part of a wider £21 million package to advance global LGBTQI rights through civil society partnerships.
This renewed commitment comes at a critical moment for LGBTQI communities worldwide. Across many countries, hard-won progress is under threat from rising anti-LGBTQI legislation, shrinking civic space, and increasing violence and discrimination. At the same time, many frontline organisations are facing severe funding pressures following wider global aid cuts.
The LGBTQI Solidarity Fund was launched in 2023 as an innovative matched funding initiative bringing together the UK LGBTQI community and allies, including individuals, businesses, foundations and government, to support LGBTQI activism globally.
Since launch, the Fund has helped unlock more than £1 million in new philanthropic support for grassroots LGBTQI organisations across the Global South and East, leveraging additional giving from businesses, individual philanthropists, and foundations to support frontline LGBTQI activism worldwide.
The increased UK government commitment will allow GiveOut to expand this work significantly over the coming three years, helping to unlock even greater support from private philanthropy while providing flexible funding to LGBTQI organisations defending human rights, supporting communities, and responding to crises worldwide.
The announcement builds on GiveOut’s wider work to grow philanthropic support for global LGBTQI rights and reflects the growing recognition of the importance of flexible, movement-led funding at a time of increasing global uncertainty.
Kenite Placade, Executive Director of Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity & Equality (ECADE) said:
“Long-term, flexible support has been essential to advancing LGBTQI rights across the Caribbean. GiveOut funding has helped sustain the strategic legal advocacy and movement-building needed to challenge discriminatory laws and push for lasting change. Victories like the decriminalisation rulings we’ve secured are only possible due to sustained solidarity and investment in local leadership. More importantly, GiveOut funding has allowed us to support community members directly during emergencies and add faces to our changing hearts and minds campaigns.
Jason Ball, Executive Director of GiveOut, said:
“The LGBTQI Solidarity Fund is built on a simple but powerful idea: when governments, businesses, philanthropists and our community come together, we can unlock far greater resources for frontline LGBTQI activism. This increased commitment from FCDO will help us build on that momentum at a moment when it is urgently needed.”
Chris Elmore MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, said:
This investment reaffirms the UK’s commitment to defending the human rights and freedoms of all people, including those who are LGBT+. We will continue to work in partnership – using our diplomatic influence and development expertise – to help ensure that everyone, everywhere can live their lives without fear of violence, persecution or discrimination.
Anne Aslett, Chief Executive Officer of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, said:
“The HIV epidemic has shown the importance of investing in community leadership and long-term resilience. By bringing together government, philanthropy and business, the LGBTQI Solidarity Fund is helping unlock new resources for frontline organisations delivering lifesaving services and defending human rights in increasingly difficult contexts.”
A&O Shearman said:
“Long-term, flexible funding is critical for LGBTQI organisations using the law and courts to advance equality around the world. We are proud to support GiveOut and the LGBTQI Solidarity Fund, which is helping channel vital resources to activist-led organisations working to defend human rights and create lasting change.”
Antonia Belcher, The Antonia and Andrea Belcher Trans Fund, said:
“At a time when trans communities globally are facing increasingly coordinated attacks, sustained and flexible funding for frontline organisations has never been more important. The matched funding model of the LGBTQI Solidarity Fund has helped unlock new philanthropic support for trans rights globally, bringing more donors into this work and strengthening the ability of grassroots organisations to protect and support their communities.”
Notes to Editors
About the LGBTQI Solidarity Fund
The LGBTQI Solidarity Fund is a global matched funding initiative led by GiveOut in partnership with the UK Government. Donations from businesses, trusts and foundations, and individual supporters are matched by the UK Government to help grow and diversify funding for LGBTQI rights worldwide. The Fund supports frontline LGBTQI organisations working to advance equality, defend human rights, strengthen communities and respond to crises across the globe. Find out more here.
About GiveOut
GiveOut is an award-winning international LGBTQI community foundation mobilising resources to support LGBTQI activism worldwide.