Horizons Foundation Awards Three Grants from New Safety and Security Fund Amid Rising Concerns About Anti-LGBTQ Incidents
Horizons Foundation Awards Three Grants from New Safety and Security Fund Amid Rising Concerns About Anti-LGBTQ Incidents
San Francisco, CA—Horizons Foundation has awarded its first three San Francisco Bay Area-based LGBTQ organizations with critical funding following the launch of its new Safety and Security Fund (SSF) grant opportunity. The SSF is designed to support LGBTQ organizations and initiatives that prioritize the safety and well-being of our communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. This initiative comes at a critical time, as community organizations and events have continued to report hate-based threats, attacks, and vandalism, a trend mirrored in Attorney General Rob Bonta’s 2023 Hate Crimes in California Report, which reflected an 86% increase in anti-LGBTQ incidents statewide from the previous year. With elections approaching, the need for focused action and support is more urgent than ever.
To address the alarming surge in threats and incidents, the SSF provides rapid response grants to small- to medium-sized organizations that implement innovative solutions and programs aimed at creating safer environments for LGBTQ individuals and groups. Horizons invites applications from eligible organizations across the nine counties of the Bay Area. The three SSF grantee partners so far include Oasis Legal Services, the San Francisco Transgender Festival, and Congregation Sha’ar Zahav.
"Oasis Legal Services is a critical institution in the Bay Area, providing life-saving legal and social support to LGBTQ+ immigrants—a community frequently targeted by hate and extremist ideologies. As a visible advocate for marginalized populations, Oasis faces ongoing risk of violence from those who oppose LGBTQ+ rights and immigrant justice, making increased security crucial to safeguarding staff and clients,” said Mateo Gael Sánchez Morales, Development and Grants Coordinator at Oasis Legal Services. “We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant from Horizons Foundation, which provides funding for increased security measures, such as alarms, cameras, and de-escalation trainings, to help ensure the safety of our staff and clients. These interventions will not only increase our staff’s wellbeing and sense of security, but will allow us to continue to serve LGBTQ+ immigrants safely."
“Given the escalating and rabid attacks against our communities, the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival is grateful to be a recipient of the Horizons Foundation’s Safety and Security grant. It will allow us to undertake increased safety measures at our events,” said Shawna Virago, Artistic Director, San Francisco Transgender Film Festival.
The troubling rise in hate crimes and violence targeting LGBTQ+ individuals comes as crime rates and divisive public rhetoric have been central to the 2024 political campaign dialogue. This grant opportunity will support a variety of projects, including security training, infrastructure upgrades, and initiatives that ensure LGBTQ community organizations can confidently participate in public and programmatic events.
“By launching this critical new fund, Horizons Foundation is building on our proud 44-year history of being there for our community,” said Roger Doughty, President of Horizons Foundation. “This program will help Bay Area LGBTQ nonprofits—not just their staff, but all the people they serve—address the alarming increase we’ve seen in threats and intimidation that our communities are unfortunately facing.”
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling applications until January 2025. For more information about the Safety and Security Fund grant opportunity, including application guidelines and eligibility criteria, please visit www.horizonsfoundation.org/ssf.
About Horizons Foundation
Horizons Foundation is the first community foundation in the U.S. of, by, and for the LGBTQ+ community. Established in 1980, invests in LGBTQ nonprofits, strengthens a culture of LGBTQ giving, and builds a permanent endowment to secure our community’s future. We envision a world where all LGBTQ people live freely and fully. Learn more at horizonfoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Justin Seiter
Senior Communications Manager
Horizons Foundation
415-398-2333 x112
[email protected]
