We have over 1,600 partners who take part in the #givingtuesday movement, each with their own cause to champion.
Here in the UK, February is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History month and it’s a time to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public. This involves working to increase the visibility of LGBT people and promoting their welfare, as well as raising awareness and advancing education on matters affecting the LGBT community.
Here at #givingtuesday we have a whole host of partners who support LGBT history month including charities like Stonewall and Terrence Higgins Trust. The campaign organisers Schools Out, have been campaigning for LGBT inclusion for over 40 years, and they use this important campaign to bring together a whole host of partners in their attempts to educate out prejudice.
To celebrate LGBT History month we have put together our own list of some of the most famous LGBT philanthropists in the world. Take a look:
Tim Cook, CEO, Apple Inc.
Cook is one of the most famous LGBT philanthropists. According to an article in The Guardian, he plans to “donate all of his wealth to charity after providing for his 10-year-old nephew’s education.”
Ellen DeGeneres, comedian and television host
DeGeneres is one of the US’ most famous TV stars, fronting her own daily talk show. She launched the Small Change Campaign to benefit Feeding America. She has also supported the American Red Cross as well as charities including UNICEF, Stand Up To Cancer and STOMP Out Bullying.
Sir Elton John, singer, songwriter and record producer
John founded the Elton John Aids Foundation in 1992 and has raised more than $200 million to fight HIV and AIDS. He has also supported many other charities including War Child, Terrence Higgins Trust, Oxfam, Caudwell Children and Scope.
Jennifer Natalya Pritzker, investor and philanthropist
In 2013 Pritzker became the world’s first transgender billionaire. She is a retired army lieutenant and CEO of private wealth management firm Tawani Enterprises. She has given $1.35m to create the Transgender Military Service Initiative and donated $25m to Norwich University.
Connie Bonello, Associate Partner, IBM
Bonello is leader and financial supporter of organisations including the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Out on Bay Street, Pride at Work Canada and Supporting Our Youth.
Terrence Meck, Co-founder and President, The Palette Fund
Meck is the Co-founder and President of The Palette Fund, a private foundation dedicated to advancing social change in communities that are under-resourced and facing significant challenges. Since its inception it has given more than $5 million dollars to over 125 organisations throughout the US and abroad.
Tim Gill, Founder and Former Chair, Quark Inc.
Gill set-up the Gill Foundation in 1994 and supports non-profit organisations that serve LGBT individuals as well as people with HIV. The Gill Foundation has invested more than $259m in programs and organisations across America. He has also donated nearly $1m to the American Red Cross for the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief fund.
Laurie Emrich, Principal Consultant, Emrich Enterprises
Emrich inherited money in her late 20s and since then has supported organisations including Urgent Action Fund-Africa, the National Progressive Leadership Campus and LGBT causes.
Lord Browne, Executive Chairman, L1 Energy
Browne is Chairman of the Trustees of Tate Galleries and the author of The Glass Closet, a book about coming out at work
Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Theatre Producer of productions including Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon
Mackintosh has set-up a foundation which supports numerous charities, individuals and theatrical projects and funds an annual Oxford professorship at St Catherine’s College.
We are proud to support LGBT History Month. You can find out more about the campaign by visiting the website.