The Hispanic Federation (HF) has announced the launch of the Advance Change Together (ACT) initiative, which aims to empower and support organizations working to protect and serve Latinx LGBTQ+ communities.

ACT will award grants of up to $50,000 to approximately 20 Latinx LGBTQ+ nonprofits to strengthen their advocacy efforts, services, and infrastructure to better serve Latinx LGBTQ+ communities. In addition, HF will host convenings and capacity-building trainings for ACT grantees for at least two years while it engages other potential funders and partners to extend the initiative.

“Latinx LGBTQ+ organizations that are on the ground every day, supporting, advocating for, and empowering our communities have never received the resources and support they desperately need and deserve to continue their important work. Hispanic Federation is looking to change that, not only by raising awareness but also through this project investment,” said Hispanic Federation president and CEO Frankie Miranda. “The ACT initiative is the most recent step we’re taking to strengthen organizations who are at the forefront of empowering Latinx LGBTQ+ communities. As we remember the 49 lives that were taken during the Pulse Club massacre, and as a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation continues to sweep across the country, there has never been a more urgent moment to launch the ACT initiative. We hope that more community members, philanthropic partners, and businesses from across the country join our efforts by contributing and donating to this important work—not just during Pride Month, but for years to come.” 

“We’ve seen what happens when hate and division are allowed to run rampant in our country. People fall through the cracks, lives are lost, and communities are left broken,” said Lin-Manuel Miranda, award-winning songwriter, actor, director, and producer. “We saw that six years ago when 49 lives were lost at Pulse nightclub, and we see that now as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation increases across our country. With the Hispanic Federation’s ACT initiative, we are responding to this urgent moment by bringing together Latinx LGBTQ+ nonprofits to empower, advocate, and create stronger support networks for the LGBTQ+ community.”

(Photo credit: Hispanic Federation)