Come queer philanthropy with us. Funding Queerly brought together donors who wanted to support organizing work done by and for queer and trans people, especially small-budget groups led by people of color, indigenous communities, low-income communities, rural communities, youth, and trans organizers.

Funding Queerly grants were made through the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. The giving circle helped raise money for multi-year grants and helped cover some of the grantmaking support needed to move resources to community groups.

Most of the groups featured on this site worked close to the ground: peer support, leadership development, anti-violence work, youth organizing, prison abolition, trans justice, rural LGBTQI support, and local campaigns that larger funders often miss.

How People Got Involved

Supporters were invited to pledge a donation level that was meaningful to them, help with fundraising, join educational calls about Astraea and its grantees, and take part in queer fundraising gatherings. The goal was not only to raise money, but to help more people understand why small community organizing groups need flexible support.

• Learn about the groups that received Funding Queerly support.
• Share grantee stories with people who care about LGBTQI justice.
• Help move money toward queer and trans organizing led by affected communities.
• Support work that builds leadership, safety, visibility, and local power.

Applying For Funding

Funding Queerly operated as a donor-advised fund fiscally sponsored by Astraea. As a public foundation, Astraea reviewed applicant pools and recommended grantees and grant amounts for Funding Queerly members to review and approve.

The strongest fit was small-budget LGBTQI organizing work led by and for communities directly affected by racism, poverty, rural isolation, transphobia, homophobia, criminalization, and other barriers to safety and power.

Who Decided Where Funds Went?

Astraea brought grantmaking experience and movement relationships to the process. Funding Queerly members helped raise funds, reviewed recommendations, and supported a final slate of grants. That structure helped keep the giving circle connected to experienced LGBTQI movement funding while still making room for a donor community to learn and participate.

Past Grantees

The homepage lists many of the organizations Funding Queerly supported over the years. These grantee notes show the range of work the circle cared about, from trans-led peer support in the South to queer youth organizing, worker justice, immigrant youth coalitions, rural LGBTQI projects, and Black-led community power.

Read more about Funding Queerly past grantees.