Funding with Pride: Lessons from Lambda Legal

In the past year, Lambda Legal has seen a powerful surge in fundraising—and it’s not just because of the political moment we’re in. It’s because they’ve doubled down on something LGBTQ+ nonprofits of all sizes can do: building trust, telling clear stories, and inviting more people into the movement.

And here’s the kicker: people are ready to support us.

According to GLAAD’s latest Accelerating Acceptance Report:

• 74% of non-LGBTQ U.S. adults support equal rights for the LGBTQ community

• 91% of non-LGBTQ U.S. adults agree parents should support and love their children exactly as they are.

• 79% of non-LGBTQ adults believe schools should be safe and accepting places for LGBTQ students.

That's a supermajority. That means most people already support LGBTQ+ rights—they’re just waiting to be asked to join the cause in meaningful ways.

So, what made Lambda Legal stand out?

They did what so many smaller LGBTQ+ organizations can do, even with limited staff or budget:

• They told bold, consistent stories about what's at stake.

• They reminded people how urgent this moment is—without only leading with fear.

• They made giving feel powerful and hopeful.

Let’s be real: Most LGBTQ+ nonprofits aren’t national giants. They’re small teams doing huge work on tight budgets. But you don’t need a million-dollar PR firm to be funded with pride and grow your community.

Below are 5 simple things LGBTQ+ nonprofits can do today to build trust and increase funding:

1. Lead with Clarity, Not Crisis

 Yes, the moment is urgent. But fear alone doesn’t build a donor base. Pair urgency with clarity: What is your nonprofit you doing about it? How can your donors champion the cause with you?

Try this in your next appeal:

👉 “Your gift will help us train 30 trans youth leaders this year. In a time when their voices are being silenced, we’re turning up the volume.”

2. Make the Invitation Bigger

 Don’t assume only LGBTQ+ people will support your work. Most of your potential donors might be allies. Speak to them. Invite them. Make your values—equity, joy, justice—something everyone can believe in.

3. Say Thank You Like You Mean It

 A fast, heartfelt thank-you—whether it's a personal email, a handwritten note, or a quick phone call—goes a long way. Get your board and volunteers to help with making those thank you’s. It tells donors they’re seen. It builds trust. And it’s one of the easiest retention tools there is.

4. Show the Faces Behind the Mission

 Put staff, clients, board members, or volunteers at the center of your storytelling. People give to people. A short video or a photo + quote can do more than a two-page annual report.

5. Ask More Often—and Make it Easy

 One email a year won’t cut it. People are busy. Remind them what’s at stake and how they can help. And for the love of all things queer and beautiful, make sure your donate button is easy to find on every page of your website and mobile-friendly.

Lambda Legal’s fundraising momentum didn’t happen overnight. It happened because they knew people were ready—they just needed to be invited in.

Small and mid-sized LGBTQ+ nonprofits can do the same. You don’t need to scale your staff overnight to grow your impact. You just need to be consistent, courageous, and connected to the community that already believes in your work.

If you're curious how to bring these strategies to life at your organization, let's talk.

Dandelion Consulting works with LGBTQ+ and arts nonprofits motivated to grow funding and build a culture of philanthropy that feels authentic, not transactional.

🌱 Let’s grow something meaningful—together.