irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $500KIN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL PARTNERS ORGANIZATION, IN 2023, WE BUILT AND SUSTAINED PARTNERSHIPS WITH 18 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS 15 COUNTRIES AND 6 REGIONS, WITH THE AID OF OUR PARTNERS, WE SUPPORTED 4174 INDIVIDUALS USING THIS PATHWAY.
- #2 $241KWE SUPPORTED 2645 INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS LOCATIONS SUCH AS UGANDA, AFGHANISTAN, PALESTINE, UKRAINE AND RUSSIA.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Advocacy Against Conversion Therapy
Documents and responds to conversion therapy as a driver of displacement, advocates for bans, and supports survivors affected by these practices globally
Emergency Relocation Support
Provides direct financial assistance, accommodation, medical care, and in-country relocation for LGBTQI+ individuals in imminent danger due to persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity
Queer Forced Displacement Initiative (QFDI)
Two-year effort involving regional roundtables in five displacement corridors to map protection gaps and lay the foundation for the QFDN, including expert panels and academic symposia
Queer Forced Displacement Network (QFDN)
Global member-led network launched to improve protection, advocacy, and support for LGBTQI+ people experiencing forced displacement, built on regional consultations and co-led by organizations from 30 countries
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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LGBTQ+ Immigrant and Asylum Support Services 3 activities
- Community integration support for LGBTQI+ newcomersOrganizes volunteer-led Community Support Teams in the United States to provide integration support for LGBTQI+ newcomers, including housing and social connection. Also operates the Rainbow Housing Drive to secure spare rooms or housing units for those relocating.
- Emergency relocation and crisis response for at-risk LGBTQI+ individualsProvides emergency relocation, crisis response, financial assistance, accommodation, medical care, in-country and international relocation support, and verification guidance to LGBTQI+ individuals facing violence and persecution. Supported over 45,000 individuals since 2006, including 4,174 in 2023 across 15 countries and 6 regions, with over 20,000 requests received in the past year alone.
- International resettlement of LGBTQI+ refugees through government partnershipsRelocates 250 LGBTQI+ refugees annually to Canada through the Government Assisted Refugee program, enabling safe resettlement and integration. Partners with government programs to facilitate sponsorship applications and long-term stability.
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LGBTQ+ Community Grantmaking 1 activity
- Funding support for LGBTQI+ refugee and asylum seeker service providersProvides microgrants and distributes funding to grassroots organizations, service providers, and community activists supporting LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers. Distributed $389,773 CAD in grants to 33 organizations in 2025, serving as a sub-granting organization for initiatives like the ACTIF project.
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LGBTQ+ Legal and Policy Advocacy 1 activity
- Global advocacy to address queer and trans forced displacementCo-convenes and leads international advocacy initiatives including the Queer Forced Displacement Network (QFDN) launched in Bangkok with partners from 30 countries, the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement, and UN side events on LGBTQI+ crisis response. Secured ECOSOC special consultative status to advance policy change.
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LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency & Community Education 1 activity
- Public education and awareness on global LGBTQI+ rightsDelivers presentations and educational events for community organizations, companies, and charities about global LGBTQI+ rights and the organization’s work, including multidisciplinary performances and festivals featuring stories from LGBTQI+ immigrants and refugees.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Regional consultation and capacity building for LGBTQI+ displacement responseConducts regional roundtable consultations in key displacement corridors—including Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Türkiye, and Kenya—as part of the Queer Forced Displacement Initiative to strengthen local response systems and build the capacity of frontline organizations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$3.69M
Contributions & grants$3.61M98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$82K2%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$3.95M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising22%
Salaries & benefits$947K
Grants paid out$1.15M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.32M
Cash$3.17M
Investments$0
Liabilities$564K
Net assets$2.76M
Liquid reserves9.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +22.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| REBECCA MCFARLANE | INTERIM CEO, HEAD OF OPERATIONS | 38 | $163K |
board members · 7
- BRUCE KOFF — CHAIR THRU 6/2025
- IAN GREGOIRE — TREASURER THRU 6/2025
- JULIAN MORRIS — VICE CHAIR EFF. 6/2025
- KAROLINE KATUS — DIRECTOR EFF. 2/2025
- MALIK BROWN — SECRETARY
- MUNEER PANJWANI — CHAIR EFF. 6/2025
- SHREYA SHAH — TREASURER EFF. 6/2025
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- ACTIF (Act Together for Inclusion Fund) Funder — Rainbow Railroad served as a sub-granting organization under the ACTIF project, which supported the establishment of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement.
- American Embassy Government — Participated in the launch event of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement alongside Rainbow Railroad.
- Anam Zakaria Partner — Co-founder of the Qissa Festival and collaborator on programming that centers refugee and immigrant artists.
- Asociación Lambda Partner — Member of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement, which Rainbow Railroad supports through advocacy and collaboration.
- CAN-Myanmar Partner — Engaged through keynote participation at the Queer Forced Displacement Network launch conference.
- Canada Helps Partner — Partner platform for processing donations from Canada.
- Canadian Embassy Government — Participated in the launch event of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement alongside Rainbow Railroad.
- Casa Frida Partner — Co-chair organization of the Queer Forced Displacement Network, led by Mariana de la Cruz.
- Casa Frida Partner — Member of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement, which Rainbow Railroad supports through advocacy and collaboration.
- Casa Frida Partner — Represented by Mariana de la Cruz, Interim Co-chair of the Queer Forced Displacement Network.
- Corporación Red Somos Partner — Member of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement, which Rainbow Railroad supports through advocacy and collaboration.
- Derechos Humanos y Diversidad AC Partner — Member of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement, which Rainbow Railroad supports through advocacy and collaboration.
- Diálogo Diverso Partner — Organization led by Danilo Manzano, current secretariat of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement, with which Rainbow Railroad collaborates.
- Equal Asia Foundation Partner — Co-organized the launch of the Queer Forced Displacement Network in Bangkok.
- Equal Rights Coalition Partner — Co-sponsored a UN side event on International Peace and Security and LGBTQI+ Crisis Response.
- GiveOut Partner — Partner organization facilitating UK tax receipts for donations to Rainbow Railroad.
- GiveOut UK Partner — Partner platform for processing donations and issuing UK tax receipts.
- Government of Canada Government — Co-sponsored a UN side event on International Peace and Security and LGBTQI+ Crisis Response.
- Government of Canada Government — Partner in the Government Assisted Refugee program for LGBTQI+ refugees.
- Government of Canada Government — Partnership with the government to resettle 250 LGBTQI+ refugees annually in Canada.
- Government of Colombia Government — Co-sponsored a UN side event on International Peace and Security and LGBTQI+ Crisis Response.
- Government of Malta Government — Co-sponsored a UN side event on International Peace and Security and LGBTQI+ Crisis Response.
- Haroon Khalid Partner — Co-founder of the Qissa Festival and collaborator on programming that centers refugee and immigrant artists.
- Just Giving Partner — Partner platform for processing donations.
- LOCAL PARTNERS ORGANIZATION Partner — Collaborates with local partners to support individuals facing persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mexico) Government — Hosted the official launch of the Latin American Network on Forced Displacement, where Rainbow Railroad participated.
- Outright International Partner — Co-sponsored a UN side event on International Peace and Security and LGBTQI+ Crisis Response.
- Qissa Festival Partner — Collaborates with the Qissa Festival to highlight the work of immigrant and refugee artists in Toronto.
- Tala Motazedi Partner — Participating artist and filmmaker whose work is featured in the Qissa Festival, supported by Rainbow Railroad.
- The African Sunbird Network Partner — Co-chair organization of the Queer Forced Displacement Network, led by Eric Ssali.
+ 7 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Led, Lived-Experience-Centered Designmethodology: community-led_designBy centering the leadership and lived experience of displaced LGBTQI+ people in program and policy design, we produce more effective and dignified protection systems, because those most impacted are best positioned to identify and close protection gaps.
- Individualized, Ecosystem-Based Post-Relocation Supportmethodology: ecosystem_of_careBy tailoring safety and relocation solutions to individual circumstances and providing coordinated post-arrival services—such as housing, financial aid, and community integration—we improve long-term outcomes, because sustainable safety requires both personalized pathways and holistic post-migration care.
- Integrated Human Rights Approach with Transnational Solidaritymethodology: integrated_human_rights_approachBy combining direct emergency response, advocacy, and movement-building with transnational solidarity among queer and trans displaced people, we produce systemic change, because sustainable protection requires both immediate relief and long-term structural transformation.
- Underground Railroad-Inspired Activist Network Modelmethodology: underground_railroad_modelBy leveraging decentralized activist networks inspired by the historical Underground Railroad, we enable at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals to escape persecution and reach safety, because clandestine, trust-based pathways are essential in high-risk contexts where formal systems fail.