Report Shows Stability, Future Concerns for LGBT Organizations

A new report from the Movement Advancement Project shows that the nation's leading LGBT organizations experienced renewed financial stability and growth in 2010, although an alarming decline in individual donors raises concerns about the future.

The 2011 National LGBT Movement Report released Tuesday found that finances stabilized following a drastic decline from 2008 to 2009. The report examined 40 leading organizations that comprise 71% of the budgets of all LGBT social justice organizations.

According to the report, the overall financial health of the LGBT movement remains strong, where combined 2010 revenues exceeded expenses by $4.6 million, a reversal from 2009 when expenses surpassed revenues by almost the same amount. Fueled by corporations, bequests, fundraising events, and in-kind giving, revenue including in-kind contributions increased by 1% from 2009 to 2010, compared to a 20% drop from 2008 to 2009.

On the other hand, according to the report, the number of individual donors to LGBT organizations fell by 12% from 2009 to 2010, and their total contributions dropped by 14%. The decline sparks concerns because individual donors represent the greatest source of organizational revenue, providing some 35% of funding.

Less than 3% of LGBT adults give to national LGBT organizations, according to MAP. While the LGBT movement has witnessed historic progress in recent years on issues such as marriage equality and the repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, the 10 largest antigay organizations spent nearly three times as much as all 40 LGBT organizations evaluated in 2010, at $330.4 million compared to $126.8 million, according to the report.

"The finances of LGBT movement organizations appear to be stabilizing despite the difficult economic climate," said Ineke Mushovic, executive director of MAP, in a news release. "However, while most revenue streams are increasing, organizations are seeing continued drops in individual donors. Finding ways to reach the 97% of LGBT adults who do not give to these organizations is becoming a more urgent priority."

Other key findings of the report include efficient fundraising operations, with 11% of expenses spent on fundraising and 79% spent directly on programs and services. The LGBT organizations' paid staff also represented the broader U.S. population, with 48% of employees identified as women, 32% identified as people of color, and 6% identified as transgender.

Read the full report from MAP here.