- Jason Ball OAM, current Head of Grant-making at GiveOut, will step into the role of Executive Director from 1 April 2025.
- Jason brings to the role a deep commitment to the global LGBTQI rights movement, a personal history of LGBTQI leadership and activism, and experience in campaigning and philanthropy.
- Jason’s achievements include founding Pride Cup, a leading organisation for LGBTQI inclusion in sport, and a track record of building impactful partnerships with major donors, foundations, and corporations to advance equality.
- The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process, with Jason set to succeed GiveOut’s founding Executive Director, Rupert Abbott, who will be supporting the transition.
[London, 6 February 2025] – GiveOut is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jason Ball OAM as its new Executive Director.
Jason brings to the role a deep knowledge of and commitment to the global LGBTQI human rights movement, and a personal history of LGBTQI leadership and activism. He is currently GiveOut’s Head of Grant-making, overseeing the organisation’s vital work to channel funds to LGBTQI organisations around the world. Before moving to the UK at the end of 2022 and joining GiveOut, Jason was a leading LGBTQI activist in Australia.
Jason’s appointment follows an extensive recruitment process led by a committee of GiveOut’s Board of Trustees supported by the executive search firm Peridot, which concluded at the end of 2024. GiveOut’s Board was deeply impressed by the exceptional calibre of candidates and extends its gratitude to all those who applied.
Jason will succeed GiveOut’s founding Executive Director, Rupert Abbott, on 1 April. Rupert will remain in the role until then to ensure a smooth handover, and will continue in an advisory capacity until the end of June to support the transition.
Since its launch in 2018, GiveOut has provided over £3 million in new funding to LGBTQI organisations around the world, ensuring they have more of the resources they need to defend our communities, tackle inequality and campaign for lasting change.
Looking ahead, GiveOut is well-positioned for the future, supported by a committed Board, a dedicated team, a diverse base of supporters, and a clear mission to grow giving for LGBTQI human rights activism.
Jason Ball OAM, GiveOut’s incoming Executive Director said:
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and deeply honoured by the trust placed in me to step into this role. At a time when our movement faces mounting challenges—such as the rollback of LGBTQI rights and the withdrawal of donor governments and other key funders—GiveOut’s work has never been more critical. I’m deeply committed to GiveOut’s mission to grow giving, unlock new resources, and channel vital support to LGBTQI activism worldwide. This is how we will sustain and strengthen our movement at this pivotal moment.”
Elliot Vaughn MBE, founder and Chair of GiveOut, said:
“I and the Board couldn’t be more delighted to have selected Jason through this careful process. Jason brings a special mix of demonstrated leadership skills and philanthropy experience, plus knowledge of the movement and grant-making expertise. We look forward to working with him to shape GiveOut together in the years ahead.”
Rima Athar, Neish McLean and Ryan Silverio, GiveOut’s Grant-making Advisory Panel said:
“We’re absolutely delighted for Jason and GiveOut! Over the last two years, we’ve worked closely with Jason to shape GiveOut grant-making programme and partnerships. We’ve seen first-hand his dedication, genuine care and deep commitment to our communities and the global LGBTQI movement. With Jason’s leadership, we’re excited to see GiveOut continue to grow and build on the incredible impact it has already achieved.”
Background
About Jason Ball OAM
Jason is a dedicated LGBTQI community leader with more than a decade of experience across the not-for-profit, government and corporate sectors. His career has always been driven by a commitment to social justice and LGBTQI rights, which began with his work as a grassroots activist. Drawing on his personal experience as an openly gay footballer, he led a landmark campaign to challenge homophobia in sport. Jason went on to found Pride Cup Australia in 2018, an organisation he built, led, and scaled to become a leading force for LGBTQI inclusion in sport.
Beyond his achievements with Pride Cup, Jason’s experience includes running for parliament in Australia and working extensively in campaigning and philanthropy. He has a proven track record of building impactful partnerships with major individual donors, foundations, and corporations to advance inclusion and equality.
Throughout Jason’s career, his contributions to community-building, people leadership and social advocacy have been recognised with several prestigious accolades, including an Order of Australia Medal and the Young Australian of the Year Award for Victoria.
About GiveOut
GiveOut is an award-winning international LGBTQI community foundation, bringing together the LGBTQI community and allies to support LGBTQI activism worldwide.
Across the world, courageous activists are doing vital work to protect and improve the lives of LGBTQI people. But they lack resources and funding is fragile, especially in the Global South and East. LGBTQI groups receive a tiny fraction of international development aid – just 4p in every £100 awarded by governments. The LGBTQI community and allies want to provide support, but it is not always easy to do so.
GiveOut’s purpose is to help address this urgent need by providing a platform for supporters to give tax efficiently in one place to fund LGBTQI human rights activism worldwide. GiveOut identifies pioneering groups to support through a rigorous process of consultation, due diligence and vetting, guided by its Grant-making Advisory Panel and governed by its Board of Trustees.
GiveOut pools donations to provide grants to LGBTQI organisations around the world, ensuring they have more of the resources they need to defend LGBTQI communities, tackle inequality and campaign for lasting change.
To arrange interviews and for more information, please contact:
Luke Smith
Communications and Campaigns Officer
luke@giveout.org
020 8156 7643