Equality Federation
Equality Federation is a Portland, Oregon-based public charity that describes itself as an advocacy accelerator rooted in social justice, building power among state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. It supports state partners through organizing resources, policy expertise, leadership development, and funding.
Equality Federation at a glance
In short: Equality Federation gave $598K across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $22K), top state Maryland. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $597,500
- +1314.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- +440.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,130
- +161.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $1,582,902
- -20.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Maryland (10% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Equality Federation
- Contact
Mailing address: 1336 Nw Flanders St Pmb 174, Portland, OR 97209
Phone: (929) 373-3370
Website: https://equalityfederation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Equality Federation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Freestate Justice ($59K). Together the top 10 received $339K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 54 grants of 56 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Equality Federation says it has state partners in over 40 states. Its 2024 grant dollars went to organizations in multiple states; the largest shares by recipient state were Maryland (10%), Pennsylvania (9%), Georgia (8%), North Carolina (6%), and Wisconsin (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Equality Federation gives
- Giving grew 183% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $42K (2023) to $598K (2024). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $598K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Freestate Justice Baltimore, MD | Policy Advocacy | $58,500 |
| Georgia Equality Atlanta, GA | Policy Advocacy; Voter Engagement | $45,000 |
| Equality North Carolina Durham, NC | Policy Advocacy; Voter Engagement | $35,000 |
| Fair Wisconsin Inc Madison, WI | Policy Advocacy; Voter Engagement | $35,000 |
| Fairness West Virginia DBA Fairness PA Harrisburg, PA | Policy Advocacy; Voter Engagement | $35,000 |
| To Protect LGBTQ Coloradans Denver, CO | Policy Advocacy | $30,000 |
| Equality Michigan Action Network Kalamazoo, MI | Policy Advocacy; Voter Engagement | $27,500 |
| Equality Texas Vendor Austin, TX | Policy Advocacy; Voter Engagement | $25,000 |
| Silver State Equality Los Angeles, CA | Voter Engagement | $25,000 |
| Equality Ohio Vendor Columbus, OH | Policy Advocacy; Voter Engagement | $22,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Equality Federation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,582,902 | $818,408 | $1,235,794 | $597,500 | 27 | $31,863 |
| 2023 | $1,997,312 | $1,906,619 | $339,990 | $42,250 | 5 | $7,581 |
| 2022 | $424,300 | $566,809 | $645,722 | $168,450 | 6 | $8,625 |
| 2021 | $528,463 | $707,984 | $385,150 | $211,000 | 18 | $103 |
| 2020 | $200,078 | $147,432 | $116,500 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Equality Federation’s mission is to build power in its network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. Its work includes helping members advance pro-LGBTQ+ policies and public health, oppose anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and strengthen organizational and movement leadership. Its 2024 filing says it tracked LGBTQ+-related state legislation and provided advocates with strategy, organizing, messaging, communications, and policy resources.
The 2024 grants supported organizations working on policy advocacy and voter engagement. For example, Georgia Equality says its mission is to empower LGBTQ people through political and educational advocacy in communities across Georgia. Fair Wisconsin says it works to protect and advance LGBTQ+ civil rights through community organizing, electoral participation, and legislative advocacy. FreeState Justice says it advocates for and offers legal advice and representation to LGBTQ community members in Maryland, as well as education and student opportunities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Equality Federation reported 27 grants totaling $597,500. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $58,500, with a median of $20,000. Listed grant purposes include policy advocacy and voter engagement.
The largest listed awards included $58,500 to FreeState Justice in Baltimore, Maryland; $45,000 to Georgia Equality in Atlanta; $35,000 each to Equality North Carolina, Fair Wisconsin, and Fairness West Virginia DBA Fairness PA; and $30,000 to To Protect LGBTQ Coloradans. Fairness West Virginia describes its mission as promoting protection of LGBT rights in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Equality Federation’s website says state partners can use its partner portal to apply for funding. Its membership information says prospective members must be independent, statewide, nonpartisan LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations with a governing board; the application process also considers readiness to receive capacity-building services and ability to engage with the network. The organization says grantees sign grant agreements and have a phone conversation at the end of the grant period to confirm funds were used for the proper purpose.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gia Drew as board chair; Shea Waldron as secretary; and Rebecca Gorena as treasurer. Directors listed are Abbi Swatsworth, Andre Wade, Brielle Winslow-Majette, C Scott Miller, Daniel Reyes, Eric Paulk, Joe Saunders, Justin Smith, and Kat Rohn.
Equality Federation is led by Fran Hutchins, Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 6 of 22 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Fran Hutchins
Executive Director
Deputy Director → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$10K (2020) → $46K (2024)
Gia Drew
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Wilson
Director, Culture & Belonging
New on the 2024 filing
6 hrs/week
$16K (2024)
Vivian Topping
Director, Advocacy & Civic Engagement
New on the 2024 filing
12 hrs/week
$33K (2024)
Eric Paulk
Director
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abbi Swatsworth
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andre Wade
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Saunders
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brielle Winslow-Majette
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Reyes
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peyton Rose Michelle
Director
Director - → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
C. Scott Miller
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joellyn Weingourt
Development Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Justin Smith
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kat Rohn
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nadine Bridges
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Narissa Rahaman
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ian Palmquist
Deputy Executive Director
Senior Director of Program → Deputy Director, 2021
Deputy Director → Deputy Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $15K (2024)
Dan Yonker
Vice President of Finance
Finance Director → Vice President of Finance, 2023
On filings since 2021
12 hrs/week
$21K (2021) → $39K (2024)
Mel King
Vice President of Operations
On filings since 2023
8 hrs/week
$11K (2023) → $26K (2024)
Rebecca Gorena
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shea Waldron
Secretary
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Alana Jochum (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ian Tzeng (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nancy Haque (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Tony Hoang (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kevin Wright (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Kim Abbott (2022) — Director
- Former: Allie Shin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Troy Williams (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Chris Hartman (2020) — Director
- Former: Monica Meyer (2020) — Board Chair
- Former: Rebecca Isaacs (2020) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $46K, to Fran Hutchins (Executive Director). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Equality Federation
How much does Equality Federation give each year?
Equality Federation gave $598K across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $42K across 5 grants.
What is Equality Federation's typical grant size?
Equality Federation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $22,130, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Equality Federation give grants?
Equality Federation's top state is Maryland, with 10% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (9%) and Georgia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Harrisburg, PA (2 grants) and St. Paul, MN (2 grants).
Does Equality Federation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 27 grants with a stated purpose on Equality Federation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Policy Advocacy; Voter Engagement" (13 grants) and "Policy Advocacy" (12 grants).
Who are Equality Federation's largest grantees?
Equality Federation's largest 2024 grantees include Freestate Justice ($58,500), Georgia Equality ($45,000) and Equality North Carolina ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Equality Federation?
Equality Federation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $818K.
What does Equality Federation fund?
Equality Federation’s mission is to build power in its network of state-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations. Its work includes helping members advance pro-LGBTQ+ policies and public health, oppose anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and strengthen organizational and movement leadership. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Equality Federation?
Equality Federation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check equalityfederation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Equality Federation's EIN?
Equality Federation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-0670152. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in Equality Federation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Equality Federation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/equality-federation-morg_048b341cd7d540d89c2fe7864a2c85c5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_810670152_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Equality Federation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/equality-federation-morg_048b341cd7d540d89c2fe7864a2c85c5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Equality Federation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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