Preparing next gen leaders

At Stonewall, we’re always envisioning the beautiful, liberated future our community deserves. One of the most effective ways we’ve found to move toward that future is to equip next generation leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to win progress for our community. This is apparent in our grantmaking, with more than a third of our grants focused on supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ youth. Leadership development is also a key strategy driving our program for emerging LGBTQ+ leaders, Stonewall Quarter Share.

One of Stonewall’s longest-running programs, Stonewall Quarter Share (SQS) was founded in 2007 by an enterprising group of young supporters who wanted to pool resources to make an impact on LGBTQ+ Movement work in New York City. Since then, the group has raised well over $1 Million in support of Stonewall and dozens of critical local service providers. The group functions as a giving circle, and is led by a volunteer Leadership Council who produce monthly social, educational, and volunteer events for its more than 150 members. These monthly events provide members with space to build community while learning about the issues impacting our community. Each year, the SQS experience culminates in a member-driven grantmaking process, which offers deep insight into NYC’s diverse LGBTQ nonprofit landscape and emphasizes the transformational power of philanthropy. Learn more about SQS here!

This week, Stonewall Quarter Share members and their friends gathered to kick off a new year of programming for the initiative. The group is doing things a little differently this year: rather than centering on social events, this year’s Leadership Council is curating a calendar of events that is more focused on unique, mission-focused opportunities. This slate of events will begin in late March with a group volunteer event in honor of Trans Day of Visibility. SQS members will gather to pack and sort much-requested hygiene and cosmetics kits for Stonewall grantee partners who are serving our trans and gender nonconforming neighbors. We’d love to see you there!

If you are interested in building community with likeminded queer, trans, and ally folks throughout NYC, we encourage you to consider joining SQS. You can learn more about the program here, or reach out to sqs@stonewallfoundation.org with any questions. Check out these pics from the 2024 SQS Kickoff and other recent events, and find more on the SQS Instagram!