A year of impact: the stories you made possible

Last year, amidst the challenges and uncertainties our community has been facing, your unwavering support empowered Stonewall Community Foundation to turn hope into action. Across 132 cities, in collaboration with 195 nonprofit organizations, you helped make liberation and equity a reality for so many. The numbers are powerful, but the stories behind them are where the true transformation lives.

In Florida, at Florida International University, your support sustained vital programming for queer and trans students navigating the challenges of restrictive DEI bans. The Pride Leaders Program, funded by Stonewall, equipped these students with the skills to lead, advocate, and create change. Your contributions supported mentorship programs, Safe Zone training, and partnerships with grassroots organizations, ensuring that queer and trans students had the resources to thrive both on and off campus. And through a direct grant to the student-led Pride Student Union, you placed critical funds directly in the hands of those shaping the future.

In Washington, D.C. the Gender Liberation March brought together thousands from across the country to demand bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and gender-affirming care. Thanks to your support, we provided transportation for Black trans activists, ensuring their voices were at the forefront of this historic movement. Together, we showed that resistance and joy are inextricable, dancing on the doorsteps of the Supreme Court and the Heritage Foundation, the group behind Project 2025.

In New York, your belief in our mission helped expand the capacity of the Free to Be Youth Project, one of the nation’s only legal services programs dedicated to unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. With just two paid staff, their reach was limited, but your support changed that. A $25,000 grant enabled Free to Be Youth Project to hire a policy associate, empowering them to advocate for legislative change, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that every LGBTQ+ youth they serve has a chance to build a better future.

Your generosity also bolstered Colectivo Intercultural TRANSgrediendo (CITG), a trans-led organization fighting for human rights and healthcare access. With Stonewall’s support, CITG expanded their digital security, improved outreach, and continued their advocacy to decriminalize sex work in New York. This investment in capacity-building was more than a grant, it was a commitment to ensuring that grassroots leaders have the tools to create systemic change.

Each of these stories is a testament to the power of community-driven philanthropy. Because of you, 1 out of every 23 LGBTQ+-focused grants in the U.S. comes from Stonewall. Half of our grants support BIPOC-led organizations, and 80% of our funding is unrestricted, enabling organizations to adapt and thrive.

You are at the heart of this work, empowering leaders, strengthening communities, and creating a future rooted in equity and liberation. Thank you for making this transformative year possible. Together, we are shaping a world where everyone in our LGBTQ+ community can thrive.