The Future of Queer Philanthropy: 5 Predictions for 2026
Dear nonprofits, fundraising professionals and LGBTQIA+ allies,
Queer philanthropy has never waited for permission. Long before institutions caught up, Queer communities built systems of care, culture, and survival with what we had. As we move toward 2026, the future of Queer philanthropy won’t be defined by trends alone, it will be shaped by intentional and cascading choices.
Here’s where Queer philanthropy is headed, and what LGBTQIA+ nonprofits, professionals, allies, and funders must do to meet the moment.
Prediction #1: Community-Based Giving Will Eclipse Institutional Giving for Many Queer Orgs
As foundation dollars tighten and government funding becomes more volatile, Queer organizations will continue shifting power back to their communities through peer-to-peer fundraising, monthly giving, and grassroots donor engagement.
This isn’t a downgrade, it’s a rebalancing using diversity of community-based revenue options.
What LGBTQIA+ Orgs & Professionals Can Do
Build and expand monthly giving programs rooted in relationships, not perks
Invest in peer-to-peer campaigns tied to moments of community pride and urgency
Treat small donors as long-term partners
Steward chosen family, not just individuals
What Allies & Funders Must Do
Provide matching funds for peer-to-peer and community campaigns
Fund donor engagement infrastructure, not just programs
Stop dismissing small-dollar fundraising as “unsustainable”
Recognize community giving as legitimate philanthropy, not charity-lite
Prediction #2: Funders Will Talk More About Equity While Funding Fewer Orgs
Equity language will balloon in 2026 (though perhaps not that much) even as grant portfolios shrink and consolidate. Without intentional disruption, this trend will further exclude smaller, Queer-led organizations.
What LGBTQIA+ Orgs & Professionals Can Do
Prioritize relationship-based fundraising over blind applications
Clearly articulate who you serve, who leads, and why it matters
Position your work across multiple issue areas (health, housing, youth, justice, culture)
Say no to funding that pulls you off mission
What Allies & Funders Must Do
Resist consolidation that favors large, already-resourced institutions
Fund early-stage and grassroots organizations, not just “scalable” ones
Offer feedback and transparency when grants are declined
Examine who is consistently not making it through your funding pipeline
Prediction #3: Trans, Non-Binary, and BIMPOC-Led Orgs Will Remain Underfunded…and Will Organize Anyway
Despite escalating attacks on trans communities and Queer people of color, funding will continue to lag behind need. History shows that these communities will organize regardless, but they shouldn’t have to do it alone.
What LGBTQIA+ Orgs & Professionals Can Do
Build coalitions instead of competing
Share resources, grant opportunities, and infrastructure
Document impact consistently and unapologetically
Invest in leadership sustainability, not just program survival
What Allies & Funders Must Do
Set intentional funding targets for trans, non-binary, and BIPOC-led orgs
Fund organizations before crises peak, not only in response
Trust lived experience as expertise
Shift power by funding leadership that reflects the community served
Prediction #4: Fundraising Will Be Recognized as a Culture Issue, Not Just a Development Issue
Burnout, turnover, and scarcity thinking are undermining fundraising more than any economic condition. In 2026, more organizations will realize that fundraising success is tied directly to internal culture.
What LGBTQIA+ Orgs & Professionals Can Do
Implement and embed a Culture of Philanthropy in your organizational culture
Train boards and staff to fundraise relationally, not performatively
Normalize rest, boundaries, and realistic growth
Align fundraising practices with organizational values
What Allies & Funders Must Do
Stop rewarding burnout and overproduction
Fund staff capacity, not just deliverables
Support leadership development and coaching
Ask grantees about culture and sustainability and listen
Prediction #5: Queer Philanthropy Will Demand More Than Survival
In 2026, Queer donors, leaders, and fundraisers will increasingly reject crisis-only narratives. We will insist on funding joy, art, rest, imagination, and long-term vision.
What LGBTQIA+ Orgs & Professionals Can Do
Tell stories that include joy and possibility, not just harm
Fundraise for infrastructure and leadership, not just emergencies
Invite donors into vision, not just urgency
Say no to funding that compromises your values or people
What Allies & Funders Must Do
Fund joy, culture, and creativity as legitimate impact
Provide multi-year, unrestricted support
Trust organizations to define success beyond metrics
Move from “saving” Queer communities to standing with them
Looking Ahead: 2026 Is a Strategy Year
The future of Queer philanthropy isn’t about waiting for better conditions, it’s about building better systems. Queer nonprofits and professionals are already leading with creativity, care, and courage.
Now it’s time for allies and funders to meet us there.
The future isn’t coming.
We’re already building it — together, or not at all.
Sincerely,
Queers
Queer For Hire provides fundraising support to Queer nonprofits, LGBTQIA+ cultural competency to straight-led organizations and corporations, and individual coaching for Queer professionals.
Learn about our Fundraising Services <here> – we’ll lead or support your fundraising efforts, whether you need general support or want to focus on raising money from and for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Learn about our Fundraising Trainings <here> – we can coach your board, staff, and fundraising team on how to fundraise and how to engage LGBTQIA+ donors.
Learn about our other services <here> or our resources <here>.
