by Alexia Page, GiveOut’s Senior Philanthropy Officer
Women have always been at the forefront of historic social change, leading the fight for a more compassionate and just world.
As the feminist civil rights activist, Audre Lorde, observed, “For women, the need and desire to nurture each other is not pathological but redemptive, and it is within that knowledge that our real power is rediscovered.”
Empowering women to be agents of change advances progress not just for women but for everyone. This has never been more pertinent than in today’s philanthropic landscape, where the influence of women has been profound.
Women’s Philanthropy
From small groups of women coming together to raise money during the 1970s second-wave feminism movement, to the Global Women’s Funding Movement – a network of philanthropists working to achieve gender equality – women have done the heavy lifting.
Women now account for 11% of the world’s ultra high net worth individuals but represent almost 29% of the most generous donors, based on a proportion of their wealth.
And yet, while women are giving more, LBQ organisations focused on women receive just 3% of total funding for LGBTQI issues worldwide.
Under-resourced LBTQ Groups
The Vibrant Yet Under-Resourced report by Mama Cash, the world’s first international women’s fund, and the Astraea Lesbian Foundation found that 72% of LBQ groups operate on annual budgets of less than £40,000 per year, and 40% on less than £4,000 per year.
This funding pool is only likely to reduce further, with cuts to government development funding and seismic shifts in corporate DEI policies.
Despite the challenging financial environment, many of these organisations are achieving incredible outcomes for the marginalised women they support.
They could do so much more if they were backed to their full potential.
Double Discrimination
The need for increased philanthropic funding to address gender inequality is critical. United Nations data shows women still earn 23% less than men globally, spend about three times as many hours in unpaid domestic and care work, and one in three women have experienced gender-based violence.
LBTQ women can face even higher levels of discrimination, human rights abuses, inequality and violence, based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Worldwide, women continue to experience multiple gender-based inequalities, and are still consistently excluded by the states and systems that should serve them. For LBQ women, the intersecting issues of sexism and homophobia often result in even higher levels of discrimination and violence”
Leading The Way Report (2020), The Baring Foundation
In 40 countries, private, consensual sexual activity between women is criminalised. LBTQ women are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence including corrective rape and forced marriage, with trans and gender non-conforming women especially vulnerable.
As one example, in Malaysia, LBQ women are regularly subjected to discrimination and violence. Sexual activity between women is a punishable crime, with a maximum penalty of twenty years’ imprisonment.
It makes the role of philanthropy absolutely crucial in supporting the people and organisations on the ground who are building movements for change.
Organisations like Legal Dignity, an LBQ-led feminist legal collective, empowering queer women in Malaysia, providing a platform to share their experiences, foster solidarity and gather information to directly inform their advocacy efforts.
A Call to Action
The face of philanthropy is changing, driven by the increase in high-net-worth women’s donors, and this has led to more funding being directed towards women’s and LGBTQI rights.
Author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $1.7 billion to 116 organisations in 2020 as part of her Giving Pledge, mostly to entities devoted to equity and led by women, minorities, and LGBTQI people.
In May 2024, Melinda Gates announced a $1 billion donation over the next two years to support women and families.
However, while these developments are welcome, they are not enough on their own to combat rising right-wing extremism and a well-funded anti-gender movement.
“What fills me with hope is the thought of what will come if each of us reflects on what we can offer.”
At a time when progress is slowing and hard-won rights and legal protections are being dismantled, supporting LBTQ-specific work and organisations has never been more important.
We are already seeing the growth of collective giving models, breaking away from the traditional patriarchal power dynamics and empowering women to support other women.
Groups like the UK’s first Women in Tech Giving Circle and fundraising by London Gay Women’s Network (GWN) to support LBTQ women around the world. But they need more sustained financial support.
As queer feminist activist and founder of Women’s Health and Equal Rights Initiative, Akudo Oguaghamba reminds us, “Empowering women allows them to negotiate their rights, to speak up about any form of injustice against their peers and allows for them to breathe.”
Women’s rights are fundamental human rights. At this critical moment in the struggle for gender equality and LBTQ rights, providing flexible and sustainable funding can be the catalyst for lasting change.
Donate Now to support the LBTQ Women’s Fund or contact the GiveOut Philanthropy Team to discuss other ways to get involved at give@giveout.org