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Human Rights Campaign Foundation

Annual Giving
$21.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Revenue: $21.4M (FY 2024)
  • Total Assets: $38.6M
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $5,000
  • Geographic Focus: International (Global Small Grants) and United States (TJI, Queer to Stay)
  • Application Method: Limited/invitation-only for most programs

Contact Details

Address: 1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20036-3278

Phone: (202) 628-4160 | Toll-Free: (800) 777-4723 | TTY: (202) 216-1572

Email: feedback@hrc.org (general inquiries) | press@hrc.org (media)

Website: www.hrc.org and www.thehrcfoundation.org

Overview

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (EIN: 52-1481896) is the 501(c)(3) educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality and liberation for LGBTQ+ people. Founded in 1987, the Foundation had $38.6 million in assets and $21.4 million in revenue in fiscal year 2024. Led by President Kelley Robinson—the first Black, queer woman to hold this position—the Foundation focuses on research, advocacy, and education to advance LGBTQ+ equality domestically and globally. The Foundation operates several targeted grant programs including the Global Small Grants Program (launched 2020, 85 grants awarded to date), the Transgender Justice Initiative Small Grants, and the Queer to Stay small business preservation initiative (reaching $1 million in total funding in 2024). In 2024, President Robinson was named to the TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Global Small Grants Program

  • Amount: Up to $5,000 per grant
  • Recipients: Approximately 18-25 grants awarded annually
  • Eligibility: Limited to HRC Global Alumni Network members only (200+ LGBTQ+ advocates across 100+ countries who have participated in HRC Foundation's global programs such as the annual Innovative Global Advocacy Summit)
  • Focus: International LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations and activists
  • Application: Invitation-only to alumni network members

Transgender Justice Initiative (TJI) Small Grants

  • Amount: $1,000 per grant
  • Recipients: Approximately 20-30 grants awarded per cycle
  • Focus: Community members and organizations advancing transgender justice initiatives at the local level
  • Geographic Focus: Targeted U.S. cities (Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, New Orleans, Philadelphia) plus national grants
  • Application: Application form available at hrc.im/SmallGrantsApp (periodic cycles)

Queer to Stay Small Business Preservation Initiative

  • Amount: Grants to LGBTQ+ small businesses (has distributed $1 million total since 2020 to 100 businesses)
  • Partners: Collaboration with SHOWTIME®
  • Eligibility: U.S.-based for-profit businesses primarily serving LGBTQ+ community (nonprofits and international businesses not eligible)
  • Special Consideration: Businesses owned by queer people of color, queer women, and transgender/non-binary individuals
  • Success Rate: 90% of previous awardees remain open for business
  • Application: Applications typically open May-August

Priority Areas

The Foundation's grants support:

  • LGBTQ+ refugee support services
  • Rights advancement for LBTQ women
  • LGBTQ+ youth support in countries with high marginalization
  • Transgender and non-binary community empowerment
  • Local transgender justice initiatives (legal clinics, emergency relief, wellness programs)
  • LGBTQ+ small businesses creating safe spaces and community services
  • Voter mobilization efforts
  • Legal advocacy and decriminalization efforts

What They Don't Fund

  • The Global Small Grants Program does not accept applications from organizations outside the HRC Global Alumni Network
  • Queer to Stay does not fund nonprofit organizations or international businesses (U.S. for-profit businesses only)
  • The Foundation primarily makes grants to the affiliated Human Rights Campaign, Inc. for lobbying activities rather than broad external grantmaking

Governance and Leadership

President: Kelley Robinson - First Black, queer woman to serve as President of HRC and HRC Foundation. Named to TIME 100 most influential people (2024) and Young Global Leader by World Economic Forum. Over 15 years of experience in LGBTQ+, racial, and gender equity campaigns. Former Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Board Chair (HRC Foundation): Jamaul Webster

Director of Global Partnerships: Jean Freedberg - Leads the Global Small Grants program and global advocacy partnerships.

Recent Board Members (2024-2025): Andrew Solomon (author and advocate), Hudson Young, Tim La Badie (Executive Director of The Robinson Foundation), Bishop Oliver Clyde Allen III, Sue Dunlap, Brian O'Connor, Nico Ramsey, Shawn Skelly

Leadership Quotes

Jean Freedberg (on Global Small Grants): "The Global Small Grants program is a wonderful opportunity for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to partner with LGBTQ+ advocates around the world to advance our common goal of equality for all."

Jean Freedberg (2021): "During a particularly challenging time for our movement, this Small Grants Program is an opportunity for the Human Rights Campaign to give back. The work being done by these organizations to protect their communities from violence and discrimination, push back against hate and violence and advance legal and social acceptance for LGBTQ+ people is saving lives and advancing acceptance and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people worldwide."

Kelley Robinson (on Queer to Stay): "LGBTQ+ business owners empower local communities and make our movement stronger. By creating safe spaces and providing services and products that uplift the community, these businesses help us to thrive, especially in areas that don't feel welcoming for LGBTQ+ people."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Global Small Grants Program: This program does not have a public application process. Only members of the HRC Global Alumni Network are eligible to apply. Alumni are LGBTQ+ advocates who have previously participated in HRC Foundation global programs such as the Innovative Global Advocacy Summit or fellowship partnership programs.

Transgender Justice Initiative Small Grants: Application form available at hrc.im/SmallGrantsApp. Applications open periodically rather than on a rolling basis. Announcements for grant recipients are typically made annually.

Queer to Stay Small Business Preservation Initiative: Applications typically open in late May and close in late August. Application process is announced through HRC's website and communications channels.

Getting on Their Radar

For Global Small Grants: The only pathway to eligibility is participation in HRC Foundation's global programs. Attend or apply for the annual Innovative Global Advocacy Summit or other HRC global fellowship and training programs to become part of the alumni network.

For TJI Small Grants: Focus on local transgender justice work in target cities (Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, New Orleans, Philadelphia) or nationally. Build relationships with HRC's Transgender Justice Initiative team.

For Queer to Stay: Establish a for-profit business primarily serving the LGBTQ+ community, particularly if you are a person of color, woman, or transgender/non-binary individual. Monitor HRC communications for application period announcements.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Global Small Grants recipients are typically announced in December or April. TJI Small Grants announcements vary by cycle.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Global Small Grants Program awards approximately 18-25 grants annually to a network of 200+ alumni. Queer to Stay has awarded 100 businesses over five years (approximately 20-30 per year).

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated. Some organizations have received Global Small Grants in multiple years (e.g., LighT Central Asia, Más Igualdad Perú received grants in both 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 cycles).

Application Success Factors

For Global Small Grants applicants:

  • Alumni status is mandatory: You must have participated in HRC Foundation global programs to be eligible
  • Geographic diversity: The Foundation funds organizations across all world regions, including countries with challenging environments for LGBTQ+ people
  • Direct community impact: Successful projects include refugee support, legal clinics, youth programs, and services for underserved populations (LBTQ women, transgender individuals)
  • Innovation: The Foundation seeks "innovative and impactful programs designed to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people around the world"
  • Operating in difficult contexts: Organizations working in countries with criminalization, closing civic spaces, or active anti-gender movements are prioritized

For TJI Small Grants applicants:

  • Local focus: Projects must advance transgender justice at the community level
  • Diverse approaches: Successful projects range from legal name change clinics to wellness retreats to emergency relief funds
  • Community building: The Foundation seeks to "build ties between HRC, the communities we serve, and local stakeholders"

For Queer to Stay applicants:

  • Primary LGBTQ+ focus: Your business must primarily serve/cater to LGBTQ+ communities
  • Ownership: Special consideration given to businesses owned by queer people of color, queer women, and transgender/non-binary individuals
  • Community impact: Demonstrate how your business creates safe spaces and provides services/products that uplift the community

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Global Small Grants is not open to the general public - only HRC Global Alumni Network members may apply. To become eligible, participate in HRC Foundation's international programs and training opportunities.
  • Grant amounts are modest ($1,000-$5,000) but support meaningful local work with potential for significant community impact.
  • The Foundation prioritizes diversity and inclusion - organizations serving underrepresented communities (LBTQ women, transgender people, LGBTQ+ people of color) and businesses owned by marginalized community members receive special consideration.
  • Geographic reach is truly global - the Global Small Grants Program has funded organizations in over 100 countries, including challenging environments.
  • Relationship-based grantmaking - most programs require prior connection to HRC through alumni networks, local partnerships, or participation in HRC initiatives.
  • Application windows are limited - programs operate on periodic cycles rather than rolling applications, so timing is critical.
  • Demonstrated community need - whether supporting LGBTQ+ refugees, advancing transgender justice, or preserving LGBTQ+ businesses, successful applicants show clear community benefit and impact.

References

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