National Campaign to Increase LGBT Donors Kicks Off May 9

Gay couples may earn more than their heterosexual counterparts, but almost nothing of that cash is making its way to the organizations fighting for their rights.

It is for this very reason that a coalition of organizations has created "Give OUT Day," a national initiative to mobilize thousands of individual donors on May 9 in support of the LGBT community.

Nonprofit Bolder Giving, along with the Kevin Mossier Foundation and Forward Motion, is spearheading the effort.

"Less than 5 percent of the LGBTQ community gives to an LGBTQ cause, according to research from the Horizons Foundation and Movement Advancement Project," said Bolder Giving's Executive Director Jason Franklin. "Give OUT Day aims to raise awareness of the need to support LGBTQ nonprofits and elevate the level of LGBTQ philanthropy."

According to Give OUT Day Coordinator Noris Chavarr�a, they expect to have over 500 LGBT organizations from all over the country participate in the campaign. The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign, Campus Pride, and Lambda Legal are already among the dozens of organizations who have pledged their support to the cause.

In South Florida, nonprofit Our Fund is helping to coordinate a national initiative. Our Fund President Anthony Timiraos said they've recruited about 25 local organizations.

Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Taskforce, said the effort is important, especially as LGBT organizations stretch their budgets to the maximum to exert influence just before the U.S. Supreme Court issues a decision on vital gay rights cases this June.

"This effort is particularly timely now as LGBTQ rights are gaining support and attention," Carey said. "There is a large untapped potential donor base, both within the LGBTQ community and among straight allies that Give OUT Day will engage."

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