GiveOUT Day aims to bridge the vast funding gap for LGBTQIA+ causes

GiveOUT Day, Australia’s national day of celebration and fundraising for underfunded LGBTQIA+ organisations, is on Thursday 17 October 2024. This year’s GiveOUT Day shines a light on the strength, diversity and power of LGBTQIA+ organisations that are driving meaningful change, while raising much-needed funds to support their vital work.

Em Scott, CEO of GiveOUT, emphasised the importance of community-driven efforts: “LGBTQIA+ organisations in Australia do extraordinary work, yet they receive less than 5 cents of every $100 donated. GiveOUT Day is about bridging that gap and empowering these groups to continue their vital missions – from mental health support to advocacy, and beyond.”

This year, GiveOUT Day aims to raise more than $450,000 to support organisations across the rainbow spectrum, enabling them to continue offering life-changing services. A powerful example of the impact of these organisations can be seen through Switchboard Victoria, which offers crucial mental health support, through peer-driven services that reach LGBTQIA+ Australians nationwide.

Another is BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation that focuses on the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ individuals, creating culturally safe spaces for community-building and support. These are just two of the approximately 120 organisations that will receive support this year.

Leonard Vary AM, CEO of the Sidney Myer Fund, said: “We know that the proportion of the philanthropic dollar reaching LGBTQIA+ causes and organisations is disproportionately low, and with our support for GiveOUT we want to encourage and boost support from others.”

The number of young (18-24-year-old) Australians identifying as LGBTQIA+ is 18.9%, so the need for specialised, community-led support is critical, according to GiveOUT. Grassroots organisations, many of which are volunteer-led, work tirelessly to provide these vital services. However, 40% of these groups operate on less than $10,000 a year, making public support on GiveOUT Day more important than ever.

Cat Fay, GiveOUT Deputy Chair, said: “For me, giving to LGBTQIA+ communities is part of my responsibility to that community, and to young people coming through who face barriers that maybe I didn’t face.”

Join the LGBTQIA+ community to help brighten the future for LGBTQIA+ communities in Australia. Thanks to the generosity of philanthropic partners including Sidney Myer Fund, Fay Fuller Foundation, Slingsby Foundation, The Wyatt Trust, Tripple and The Reichstein Foundation, every donation made before or on 17 October will be doubled, maximising the impact of every contribution.

GiveOUT Day is more than just a fundraiser – it’s a national celebration of community strength and the power of collective giving. Together, the sector and wider public can help uplift our vibrant rainbow communities, ensuring they have the resources so LGBTQIA+ Australians can lead full and meaningful lives.

To learn more, visit GiveOUTDay.org.au.