LGBTQI issues face chronically underfunding from both government and wider philanthropic institutions with ‘very few in the philanthropy sector [are] aware of how underfunded the LGBTQI movement is’. 

That’s according to new research commissioned by the Baring Foundation and published by Give Out, a UK-based LGBTQI foundation, analysing international giving to LGBTQI communities both in the UK and internationally.  

The UK accounts for 15 per cent of global giving to LGBTQI causes. On the surface, this looks like an advantageous position to be in. In reality, it underscores the shortage in funding globally. 

Total UK giving to LGBTQI communities amounts to just £13.4 million annually (or 3pm for every £100 given to charities in the UK). 

The UK government has, with support from leading private foundations, pledged an extra £40 million in funding towards LGBTQI issues.  

Despite the welcome news, Give Out’s report cites that annual average government spending is at a lowly 4p per every £100 spent on aid. 

The Covid pandemic led to a reduction in funding for LGBTQI issues globally.  

Meanwhile, corporate funding remains relatively low with few willing to fund significantly in sensitive areas. Just £1.2 million annually is given from UK corporate funding, accounting for 8.5 per cent of the total UK giving. 

UK trust and foundation funding provides an average annual of £8.6 million, or just 26p out of every £100. Most of that funding goes via intermediaries, with a small number of those making ‘oversized’ contributions such as the Elton John AIDs Foundation.

‘We need to make people understand that there is so very little giving in the first place and that’s so totally unfair’, says Antonia Belcher, a businesswoman and trans activist.  

‘Overall, I think it is important to maintain a positive outlook. But on the other hand, of course, we know that the anti-gender movement is very well resourced and we have seen significant rollbacks in many regions, including Europe, where we had hoped the most important battles for LTBTQI equality had been won.

‘There’s increased need for resources to connect, and push back against, regression on rights’, warned Nina Spataru, programme officer at the International Human Rights programme for the Oak Foundation.  

Shafi Musaddique is the news editor of Alliance magazine.