LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi

The LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi mobilizes financial resources, strengthens community leadership, and awards strategic grants to support sexual and gender minorities throughout the state. Established in 2018 as a specialized component fund of the Community Foundation for Mississippi, the initiative represents the first and only dedicated grantmaking fund in Mississippi focused exclusively on advancing equity, safety, and wellness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer residents across urban centers and isolated rural communities alike.

The fund channels donor contributions into high-impact community programs that expand essential protections and social safety nets. Grant awards support grassroots organizations providing direct client aid, affirming mental healthcare, youth leadership development, legal advocacy, and crisis shelter services. Through competitive funding cycles and transparent community review committees, the fund prioritizes projects that confront racial disparities, support transgender and nonbinary people, and reduce the geographic isolation experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals residing in small southern towns.

Beyond grant distribution, the organization acts as a philanthropic convener and capacity builder for regional nonprofits. The fund hosts educational convenings, shares research on community needs, and partners with philanthropic foundations across the country to bring investment into Mississippi. By collaborating with regional advocates, community foundations, and institutional partners, the fund builds a durable economic infrastructure for statewide civil rights, community affirmation, and lasting systemic change.