Last week, Philanthropy Northwest attended Pride Foundation’s local end-of-year grantee celebration, where leadership from Ingersoll Gender Center and Entre Hermanos, two Seattle-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) organizations, spoke about community resiliency and the importance of being seen.  

LGBTQ visibility is deeply meaningful, but it can be difficult to achieve, even in the philanthropic sector. That’s why Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), a partner organization of Philanthropy Northwest, recently launched Share Your Stories: LGBTQ Practitioners in “Mainstream” Institutions, a research project focused on better understanding the lived experiences of LGBTQ people working in non-LGBTQ philanthropies and philanthropic organizations—large and small, public and private—across the country.

EPIP researchers are actively seeking stories and perspectives from LGBTQ staff members. If you are interested in participating, you can access the EPIP survey online. Survey responses will remain anonymous and help inform the development of an upcoming EPIP issue brief on the challenges and opportunities affecting the visibility and understanding of LGBTQ experiences in the philanthropic sector.

In the new year, Philanthropy Northwest is also partnering with Pride Foundation to host a recurring happy hour to help build connection and community among LGBTQ staff and allies working locally in philanthropy. 

Details will be posted to our events page, so check back soon to learn more!