Gill Foundation
The Gill Foundation is one of the nation's largest funders of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equal rights work. Based in Denver, Colorado, it is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1994 that operates as a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing LGBTQ equality across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$194.3M
+1.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.0M
+24.3% YoY
Grant Count
91
-28.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$121K
+73.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gill Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Gill Foundation's mission is to secure equal opportunity for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The organization envisions a world where all people have equal opportunity and strives to create an America in which all people are treated equally and respectfully.
Primary program areas include:
Public Education & Donor Engagement: The Foundation reaches out to corporations and mainstream/corporate foundations to help them understand LGBTQ issues and the need to initiate or increase their funding of LGBTQ charities. The Foundation provides ongoing donor education services with the purpose of increasing philanthropic giving to LGBTQ organizations.
Outgiving Conference: The Foundation's biennial event brings together major donors and institutional funders to connect, learn, and exchange ideas on ways to advance equality through strategic and intentional philanthropy. The conference has inspired hundreds of donors to give more strategically and generously to improve the lives of LGBT people across the country.
Grantmaking
Grant proposals are by invitation only. Unsolicited grant proposals or requests for funding will not be accepted. The Foundation's grant-making is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located within the United States.
Grant Range
$25,000
Average Grant
$87,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Colorado
- New York
- District of Columbia
These three states account for approximately 68% of the foundation's grantmaking activity.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $194.3 million
- Total Revenue: $4.65 million
- Total Expenses: $18.4 million
- Net Income: -$13.7 million
- Total Liabilities: $4.35 million
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $190.8 million
- Total Revenue: $2.98 million
- Total Expenses: $16.2 million
The foundation maintains substantial assets and distributes significant annual grants to advance its mission.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $194,251,586 | $190,773,725 | $185,219,539 |
| Revenue | $4,649,433 | $2,982,029 | $3,232,198 |
| Expenses | $18,359,896 | $16,176,248 | $15,899,972 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $16,296,030 | $14,474,941 | $15,373,151 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,146,457 | $12,628,180 | $3,151,532 |
| Distributable Amount | $9,440,101 | $8,954,062 | $9,600,197 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc ($1,175,000), Glbtq Legal Advocates & Defenders Inc ($460,000), Centerline Liberties Inc ($435,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1N10 INC PHOENIX, AZ | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ ISSUES | $50,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR JUSTICE WASHINGTON, DC | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ ISSUES | $50,000 |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC WASHINGTON, DC | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ ISSUES | $1,175,000 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE DENVER, CO | PROJECT SUPPPORT FOR EVENT SPONSORSHIP | $5,000 |
| BELL POLICY CENTER DENVER, CO | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES | $100,000 |
| BOULDER COMMUNITY BROADCAST ASSOCIATION INC BOULDER, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $4,000 |
| BOULDER PRIDE BOULDER, CO | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ ISSUES | $35,000 |
| BROOKLYN COMMUNITY PRIDE CENTER INC BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE LENDING DURHAM, NC | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES | $150,000 |
| CENTERLINE LIBERTIES INC WASHINGTON, DC | PROJECT SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ ISSUES | $435,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kate Kendell: Chief Executive Officer
- Tim Sweeney: President
- Scott Miller: Co-Chair
- Kevin Gardner: Communications Director
The foundation is governed by 6 officers and trustees and employs 13-16 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIM GILL | CHAIR | 4 | — |
| MARY BONAUTO | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| ELIZA BYARD | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| BRAD CLARK | CEO/PRESIDENT | 40 | $350,537 |
| HEIDI OVERBECK | CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER - THRU 2/24 | 40 | $38,161 |
| PENNY K HAMILTON | COO | 40 | $220,352 |
Contact Information
Address: Denver, Colorado
Phone: (303) 292-4455
Email: info@gillfoundation.org
Media Inquiries: media@gillfoundation.org
Website: gillfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gill Foundation fund?
The Gill Foundation's mission is to secure equal opportunity for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The organization envisions a world where all people have equal opportunity and strives to create an America in which all people are treated equally and respectfully. Primary program areas include: • **Public Education & Donor Engagement**: The Foundation reaches out to corporations and mainstream/corporate foundations to help them understand LGBTQ issues and the need…
How do I apply for a grant from Gill Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Since inception, the Gill Foundation has invested more than $466 million in programs and nonprofit organizations around the nation • Typical grant awards range from $25,000 to $2,025,000 • Median grant size: $25,000 • Average grant size: $87,000 • The foundation has made 390 grants totaling $34.1 million • The foundation has supported 200 unique organizations **Recent Distribution:** • 2024: $18.4 million in expenses • 2023: $16.2 million in expenses • 2020-2022: Distribut…
Where does Gill Foundation make grants?
The Foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Colorado • New York • District of Columbia These three states account for approximately 68% of the foundation's grantmaking activity.
What size grants does Gill Foundation award?
In 2024, Gill Foundation awarded 91 grants totaling $11.0M — an average of about $121K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Gill Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gill Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Gill Foundation's EIN?
Gill Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1264186. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gill Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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