Press Room

Pride Foundation Releases Report on Washington Youth Initiative

Partner Release — Jan 28 2025

Pride Foundation announces the release of its Washington Youth Initiative report: Supporting Spaces of Joy, Belonging, and Leadership for LGBTQ+ Youth, a comprehensive analysis of the findings and lessons learned from a groundbreaking two-year pilot program funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Over the two-year program, the initiative awarded over $1.6 million in flexible funding to 20 organizations, reaching more than 1,940 LGBTQ+ youth with leadership development opportunities and strengthening the capacity of youth-serving organizations across Washington State.

“The report affirms our efforts to connect organizations across Washington to share experiences and collaborate on strengthening their outreach,” said Katie Carter, Pride Foundation CEO. “Now, more than ever, sustained and increased funding is critical for these organizations to continue their work in the face of escalating threats to LGBTQ+ people and the well-being of our youth, particularly trans and non-binary young people."
Key findings from the report include:

  • Persistent disparities: LGBTQ+ youth, particularly BIPOC and trans youth, face structural and systemic barriers that limit access to essential resources like housing, mental health care, and leadership opportunities.

  • The power of community-driven solutions: Youth emphasized the need for spaces that foster radical joy, connectedness, and belonging, underscoring the importance of by-and-for LGBTQ+ programming.

  • Urgency for systemic change: The ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ backlash requires funders to invest in organizations that address systemic inequities while reducing burnout among staff and promoting sustainable practices.

“At FYRE (Foundation for Youth Resiliency and Engagement), we host monthly PRIDE Nights, PRIDE in the Park - an annual community celebration, and various other by-and-for LGBTQIA+ youth events,” said Hayden Swartsel (he/him), Student Pride Coordinator at FYRE, a first-year grantee. “Programs like these are imperative in helping all youth in our rural county thrive. Pride Foundation's generous support has propelled our LGBTQIA+ programming and organization's mission forward."

The report also outlines recommendations for the philanthropic sector, urging funders to increase the impact of grant awards by providing multi-year, general operating support, simplifying application processes, and incorporating feedback from grantees and LGBTQ+ youth.

“While this initiative is an important step forward, it is also a call to action,” said Olivia Thai, Program Officer with the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. “LGBTQ+ youth deserve access to the resources and safe spaces that will allow them to live safe, joyful lives. We hope funders recognize this and move to join us in supporting the critical work being done in Washington and beyond.”

As Pride Foundation continues its commitment to advancing equity and justice, this report serves as a roadmap for future investment in LGBTQ+ youth-serving organizations and a model for addressing the chronic underfunding of these vital groups.

To read the full Washington Youth Initiative report and learn more about Pride Foundation’s work, visit https://bit.ly/WAYouthInitiative

About Pride Foundation 
Pride Foundation fuels transformational movements to advance equity and justice for LGBTQ+ people in all communities across the Northwest. Pride Foundation is the only LGBTQ+ community foundation serving the Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Through scholarships, grants, and leadership development, Pride Foundation is committed to strengthening LGBTQ+ communities and working toward justice, equity, and inclusion for all. 

About the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
​Founded in 1988 by philanthropists Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, the foundation works to enhance the arts and culture experience, mobilize young people to drive change, and advance science and technology solutions that address wildlife conservation, ocean health and climate change. The foundation also funds cutting-edge research in all areas of bioscience through the Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group.