The National LGBT Movement Report, published annually by MAP, examines revenue and expenses, fundraising and fundraising efficiency, and other indicators of financial health for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) social justice advocacy, legal, public education, research and academic organizations.
The 2011 National LGBT Movement Report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the financial health of LGBT social justice advocacy organizations. The 40 organizations examined for the 2011 report collectively represent 71% of the budgets of all LGBT social justice advocacy organizations. Among the key findings in the 2011 report:
Revenue and Expenses. The overall financial health of the LGBT movement remains strong. Following a steep 25% decline in revenue from 2008 to 2009, LGBT movement organizations' finances stabilized in 2010, with combined revenues exceeding expenses by $4.6 million—a reversal from 2009, when expenses outpaced revenues by nearly the same amount. Participating organizations are projecting expense budget increases of 13% for 2011.
Fundraising and Fundraising Efficiency. Contributions from individual donors dipped 14% in 2010, and foundation contributions also declined slightly (2%). However, increases in corporate giving (41%), bequests (30%), in-kind contributions (12%), event revenue (6%) and revenue from other sources (126%) offset these declines. Additionally, fundraising operations continue to be efficient, with only 11% of expenses spent on fundraising, and 79% going directly to programs and services—surpassing benchmarks of the American Institute of Philanthropy and Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance.
Other Indicators of Financial Health. Other indicators remain strong. Increases in revenue and decreases in expenses have allowed organizations to increase cash and shore up working capital. The average organization had nearly seven months of working capital in 2010.
The report also looks at the staff and boards of LGBT social justice advocacy organizations. LGBT organizations’ paid staff is roughly representative of the broader U.S. population, with 32% identifying as people of color and 48% identifying as women. Six percent of staff identify as transgender.
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