Research
A Historic Moment
The closeted lives of the early 1900s and the virulent homophobia of the 1950s and 1960s have given way to a host of protections, opportunities, and community that were barely imaginable when our LGBTQ+ elders were younger.The closeted lives of the early 1900s and the virulent homophobia of the 1950s and 1960s have given way to a host of protections, opportunities, and community that were barely imaginable when our LGBTQ+ elders were younger.
While the journey to full equality is by no means complete, it is fair to say that our LGBTQ+ elders have affected one of history’s most remarkable advancements of civil rights ever achieved in so short a period. The organizations which our elders built and sustained, and those which have emerged more recently, are woven into the fabric of our community, and these groups continue to advocate and serve the ongoing needs of LGBTQ+ people.
The next 20+ years present a tremendous opportunity to augment that legacy by ensuring that these organizations and those arising to meet future needs have the financial wherewithal to withstand the hallenges to this progress. Our LGBTQ+ elders represent what may be the single best estate-giving demographic in human history. If only a fraction of the assets owned by these individuals are left in service to the community, there will be billions on hand to ensure that progress continues to evolve.
The uniqueness of the Stonewall Generation
For LGBTQ+ people, living through the early 20th century meant living closeted lives. In the 1950s and 1960s, it meant facing virulent homophobia and discrimination. Thanks to the fearlessness of the Stonewall Generation, these dark times have given way to a society with protections, opportunities, and community that were barely imaginable just 100 years ago. While the journey to full equality is by no means complete, our LGBTQ+ people, especially the Stonewall Generation, have affected one of the most remarkable advancements of civil rights ever achieved in such a short period. The organizations which that generation built and sustained laid the groundwork for those which have emerged more recently. These groups are woven into the fabric of our community and continue to advocate and serve the ongoing needs of LGBTQ+ people.
Today, the LGBTQ community has a historic opportunity to bolster that legacy and create financial resources that would transform organizations throughout the country and withstand challenges to this progress. The Stonewall Generation represent what may be the single best estate-giving demographic in human history, and once again they can lay the groundwork to create a culture of legacy giving from LGBTQ people.
If only a fraction of the assets owned by these individuals are left in service to the community, there will be billions on hand to ensure that progress is both protected and can continue to evolve.
Research and Recommendations
- National Task Force on LGBTQ+ Planned Giving Project Report and National Strategy
- LGBT Giving Project
- Univ. of Indiana: The LGBTQ+ Index: Measuring Giving to LGBTQ+ Organizations
- Giving USA: Leaving a Legacy
- Wake Louisiana (need to inquire for usage)
- The Advisors Project Select Bibliography
The Opportunity Is Now
Two factors explain why the opportunity for LGBTQ people is especially great.
Current research shows that more than 60% of LGBTQ people do not have children. The data proves that people without children are significantly more likely to leave charitable estate gifts—and to leave larger ones.
The biggest factor of all, however, may be the uniqueness of the Stonewall Generation itself. Millions of them identify powerfully as LGBTQ+, given their shared experience from the Stonewall Rebellion through the AIDS epidemic to marriage equality today. This shared history and experience also makes them historically excellent prospects for LGBTQ-focused legacy gifts. Experience shows again and again that Stonewall Generation members are deeply grateful to have an opportunity to support a community that they themselves helped create.
According to the 2024 Knight Frank Wealth Report, an estimated $90 trillion will pass into estates in the next 20 years. If we reasonably–even conservatively–assume that (a) LGBTQ people constitute 3% of the U.S. population and (b) LGBTQ people have the same wealth as other Americans, then $2.7 trillion of this wealth transfer will be from the estates of LGBTQ people. If our movement can capture even a mere 1% of that wealth, that would bring $27 billion to organizations over 20 years–more than $1 billion every year. That is more than quadruple the total support that LGBTQ nonprofits receive from foundations and corporations combined.
The wealth transfer is well underway, with peak years expected from 2031 through 2045. That means now is the time to engage our community to make their estate plans–and help them make a lasting impact on LGBTQ+ community organizations.
The Opportunity Is Now
Two factors explain why the opportunity for LGBTQ people is especially great.
Current research shows that more than 60% of LGBTQ people do not have children. The data proves that people without children are significantly more likely to leave charitable estate gifts—and to leave larger ones.
The biggest factor of all, however, may be the uniqueness of the Stonewall Generation itself. Millions of them identify powerfully as LGBTQ+, given their shared experience from the Stonewall Rebellion through the AIDS epidemic to marriage equality today. This shared history and experience also makes them historically excellent prospects for LGBTQ-focused legacy gifts. Experience shows again and again that Stonewall Generation members are deeply grateful to have an opportunity to support a community that they themselves helped create.
According to the 2024 Knight Frank Wealth Report, an estimated $90 trillion will pass into estates in the next 20 years. If we reasonably–even conservatively–assume that (a) LGBTQ people constitute 3% of the U.S. population and (b) LGBTQ people have the same wealth as other Americans, then $2.7 trillion of this wealth transfer will be from the estates of LGBTQ people. If our movement can capture even a mere 1% of that wealth, that would bring $27 billion to organizations over 20 years–more than $1 billion every year. That is more than quadruple the total support that LGBTQ nonprofits receive from foundations and corporations combined.
The wealth transfer is well underway, with peak years expected from 2031 through 2045. That means now is the time to engage our community to make their estate plans–and help them make a lasting impact on LGBTQ+ community organizations.
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