Around the world, LGBT+ communities regularly face hostile living and working environments and are less likely to be successful when applying for investment, even though they represent anywhere from around ten to 25 percent of the population. This marginalised group disproportionally suffers from mental health issues, lower life chances and incomes, and the picture is far worse in Low and Middle Income Countries.

Germany’s Dreilinden Foundation offers a blueprint for philanthropy that wants to make an impact in this space.

Investment supporting LGBT+ people is increasing, yet it’s still nowhere near enough. Currently, for every $100 donated globally by foundations, only 39 cents goes towards supporting LGBT+ people, according to a new Global Philanthropy Project report. When you look at the rate of spending by governments, it’s only four cents per $100.

The Dreilinden Foundation in Germany appears to be something of an outlier in this space. It is experimenting with social investment for LGBT+ people in different continents to help grow safety, stability and life chances for LGBT+ and a better society for everyone.