named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Direct Funding Platform
Web-based system enabling US donors to invest directly in vetted LGBTIQA+ organizations and activists in developing economies, with real-time updates on progress.
Global Advisory Vetting
Uses a global advisory panel to assess and approve partner organizations for funding, ensuring legitimacy and impact.
Urgent Response Campaigns
Galvanizes emergency funding for crises such as human rights violations, natural disasters, or political crackdowns affecting LGBTI communities.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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LGBTQ+ Community Grantmaking 5 activities
- Funding LGBTI rights organizations in developing economiesConnects donors with credible organizations advancing LGBTI rights in developing economies and acts as a US-based tax-exempt conduit to receive donations on their behalf. Proactively fundraises for selected organizations through engagement with a global board of advisors and supports partner organizations in meeting their financial goals.
- Funding emergency and time-sensitive advocacy and legal aid for LGBTI communitiesConducts time-sensitive fundraising campaigns to provide financial support for advocacy, legal aid, and essential services in response to political and social threats to LGBTI rights in developing economies, including funding for legal challenges and crisis response initiatives.
- Funding intersex rights and inclusion initiativesProvides funding directly to LGBTQI+ communities with a focus on intersex children, parents, caregivers, and communities to defend their rights and dignity, including support for legal inclusion and census participation.
- Infrastructure and sustainability grants for partner organizationsProvides funding for capital investments such as the purchase of buildings and organizational self-sustainability initiatives, including addressing budget deficits to ensure continuity of services for LGBTQI+ communities.
- Strategic partnerships and organizational selection for grantmakingUses a global advisory panel to evaluate and select partner organizations in developing economies and the United States, and forms strategic partnerships such as with Alturi.org to connect donors with LGBTI-led organizations in low- and middle-income countries.
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Women's Microenterprise and Livelihood Development 1 activity
- Community-led economic empowerment and sustainable income generationBuilds sustainable, community-owned income streams through Village Savings and Loan Associations and supports local enterprises such as sponge production and poultry rearing to generate steady income for marginalized communities in North Central Nigeria and Uganda.
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LGBTQ+ Immigrant and Asylum Support Services 1 activity
- Direct emergency and protection services for intersex and LGBTQI+ communitiesOperates the Safe Space Initiative, delivering emergency shelter, psychosocial support, family reintegration, legal assistance, community education, and protection services for intersex children and families in crisis. Also provides emergency housing, legal support, and crisis response for LGBTQ+ communities in Nigeria and Jamaica.
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HIV/AIDS Prevention and Support Services 1 activity
- Direct provision of HIV services and health support to marginalized populationsProvides life-saving HIV services to marginalized populations in Uganda and supports continuity of care for people on ARV treatment in South Africa and across Africa and Asia.
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Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Support Services 1 activity
- Disaster response and humanitarian support for LGBTQI+ communitiesProvides targeted support to Jamaica's transgender community in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, including emergency housing and crisis response.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$62K
Contributions & grants$62K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$45K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out$44K
balance sheet
Total assets$59K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$59K
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +274.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 5
- AMANDA DONNELL — BOARD MEMBER
- CHISECHE S MIBENGE — BOARD MEMBER
- CRAIG RIJKAARD — BOARD MEMBER
- KENT KLINDERA — BOARD MEMBER
- KEVIN JENNINGS — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Alturi.org Partner — Strategic partner to help link individuals with LGBTI-led organizations in low- and middle-income countries.
- Association of Intersex Parenthood (AIP Kenya) Partner — Implementing partner organization working to support intersex children and families in Kenya.
- CHIYN Partner — LGBTQI+ organization in Nigeria receiving funding and partnership support from the Rustin Fund to sustain health, housing, and economic empowerment services.
- CHIYN Partner — Partner organization supporting health and economic empowerment programming for marginalized communities in North Central Nigeria
- COPTEC Partner — Supports COPTEC, a trans-led organization in Uganda providing HIV services to marginalized populations.
- COPTEC Partner — Trans-led community organization in Uganda supported to sustain HIV services through social enterprise development.
- Equality for All Foundation Partner — Partner human rights and social justice organization advocating for the rights and livelihood of LGBTQ+ communities
- Equilibrium Initiative Nigeria Partner — Partner organization providing emergency housing, legal support, research, and crisis response for the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria
- Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights (ThaiTGA) Partner — Funds ThaiTGA's work advancing trans rights in Thailand.
- Freedom House Government — Bayard Rustin served as Chairman of the Executive Committee; the Fund reflects his commitment to human rights and democratic freedoms.
- HOYMAS Partner — Supports HOYMAS, the only key population-led organization in Kenya focused on anal health among marginalized groups.
- International Rescue Committee Government — Bayard Rustin served as Vice Chairman; the Fund aligns with his prior institutional affiliation.
- MPEG Partner — Partners with MPEG, a community-led health and human rights organization serving gay men and other men who have sex with men.
- National Emergency Coalition for Haitian Refugees Partner — Organization co-founded by Bayard Rustin; the Fund continues his focus on refugee advocacy.
- Positive Champions Health and Empowerment Initiative (PCHEI) Partner — Partner organization implementing community-led protection services for LGBTQI+ people in Southwest Nigeria, supported by fundraising efforts.
- Positive Champions Health and Empowerment Initiative (PCHEI) Partner — Supports PCHEI in raising funds to sustain and expand community-led protection services.
- Sexual Minorities Uganda Partner — Co-organized a fundraising campaign with the Rustin Fund to honor Bishop Christopher Senyonjo.
- TransWave Jamaica Partner — Funds TransWave Jamaica's outreach expansion through the Fuel the Wave campaign.
- global advisors Partner — Advisory group, many based in developing economies, that helps develop criteria for supporting LGBTI organizations.
- global board of advisors Government — Advisory body that ensures transparency and legitimacy in fundraising and grantmaking activities.
strategies · 5
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 Service Delivery for Health and Safetymethodology: peer-led_servicesBy centering peer-led and community-owned models in the delivery of health, shelter, and legal services, the organization improves access and trust among marginalized LGBTQI+ populations because lived experience increases cultural relevance and program effectiveness.
- Core and Rapid Crisis Funding to Sustain LGBTI Movementsmethodology: rapid_response_fundingBy deploying needs-based core funding and rapid response grants to vetted organizations, the fund ensures continuity of essential advocacy and services during political crises or funding gaps, because sustained resourcing enables resilience and long-term movement building in hostile environments.
- Leveraging Political Moments for Legislative Advocacymethodology: political_moment_advocacyBy concentrating advocacy efforts during electoral cycles and other political windows of opportunity, the fund increases the likelihood of legislative change because lawmakers are more accessible and responsive during these periods.
- Local-Led Activism as Primary Driver of Changemethodology: local-led_activismBy providing financial and strategic support directly to grassroots LGBTI activists and organizations in low- and middle-income countries, the fund increases the effectiveness of human rights work because local defenders possess contextual knowledge, legitimacy, and the capacity to lead sustainable change.
- Network-Strengthening Through Strategic Partnershipsmethodology: network_strengthening_through_partnershipsBy partnering with specialized organizations and facilitating connections across individuals and groups, the fund strengthens the collective capacity of LGBTI-led networks in low- and middle-income countries, because coordinated ecosystems amplify impact beyond isolated interventions.