Global Philanthropy Project (GPP) is an advocacy group that promotes left-of-center policies on “LGBTI” issues in the “global south and east.” It is organized as a coalition of funders and advisors of LGBT-interests efforts and claims to be the first international cohort of its kind. ^{1 2}

GPP has previously receive funding from left-of-center organizations including George Soros’s Foundation to Promote Open Society. ³

Background and History

Global Philanthropy Project (GPP) is a nonprofit advocacy group that promotes left-of-center policies on “LGBTI” issues in the “global south and east.” It was formed in 2009, although it did not receive tax-exempt status in the United States until 2023. ^{1 2 4}

GPP was founded by a coordinating committee of left-of-center philanthropic groups organized by the Arcus Foundation. In 2011, it became a program of Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. In 2014, it held a summit at a conference hosted by the Human Rights Funders Network, then known as the International Human Rights Funders Group. In 2015, it became associated with the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), which continues to remain a program partner as of 2025. ^{5 2}

In 2019, GPP hosted the first LGBT-focused session for the European Foundation Centre conference. ⁵

In 2020, GPP became a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives, a nonprofit organization in Oakland, California. ⁵

In 2023, GPP and its partners lobbied the Australian government to organize the first “LGBTI human rights foreign policy strategy” and to launch an “Inclusion and Equality Fund” for LGBT groups in Asia and the Pacific. ⁵

Activities

According to its website, Global Philanthropy Project (GPP) had five major programs as of 2025: LGBTI Pathways Project, Government and Multilateral Funding, Responding to “Anti-Gender” Ideology (RAGI), Trans and Intersex Funding, and Regional Cafes. ²

The LGBTI Pathways Project is a “global resource mobilization” initiative run in partnership with International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA). ²

Through the Government and Multilateral Funding program, GPP lobbies governments to fund LGBT groups. ²

The Responding to “Anti-Gender” Ideology (RAGI) program organizes pro-LGBT philanthropic groups to advocate against anti-LGBT organizations and sources.  ²

The Trans and Intersex Funding finances research into transgenderism and advocates for greater funding of pro-transgender and intersex nonprofit groups. ²

The Regional Cafes organizes local LGBT groups to increase collaboration. ²

Members

GPP is organized as a coalition of funders and advisors of LGBT interests, and claims to be the first international cohort of its kind. As of 2025, it claimed to have 23 member organizations. ²

According to its website, as of 2025, its members included: American Jewish World Service, Arcus Foundation, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the Baring Foundation, Dreilinden gGmbH, Ford Foundation, Foundation for a Just Society, Fund for Global Human Rights, Global Fund for Women, Hivos, Horizons Foundation, International Trans Fund, ISDAO, Luminate, Mama Cash, Nebula Fund, Oak Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Sigrid Rausing Trust, the Other Foundation, UHAI EASHRI, Urgent Action Fund, and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. ⁶

Criteria for a nonprofit to becoming a member organization of GPP include working to support of “human rights of LGBTI people” in the “Global South and East” and being either a public, private, individual, faith-based, or a corporate funder.  ^{6 7}

Financials

In 2023, Global Philanthropy Project reported $6,199,537 in revenue, $1,555,278 in total expenses, and $4,644,259 in net assets. ⁸

Funding

Between 2013 and 2023, Ford Foundation donated at least $2.1 million to Global Philanthropy Project (GPP). ⁹

In 2022, GPP, by way of its then-parent group Community Initiatives, received $200,000 from Arcus Foundation. ¹⁰

In 2023, George Soros’s Foundation to Promote Open Society gave $300,000 to GPP for “general support.” ³

Leadership

As of 2025, Matthew Hart is the executive director of Global Philanthropy Project (GPP). ¹¹

As of 2023, GPP’s board includes co-chairs Mukami Marete and David Sampson, secretary Alli Jernow, treasurer Francisco O. Buchting, and other members including Rebecca Fox, Neville Gabriel, Nicky McIntyre, and Nina Spataru. ¹²

1. “Home.” Global Philanthropy Project. Accessed December 13, 2025. https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/.
2. “Who We Are.” Global Philanthropy Project. Accessed December 13, 2025. https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/about-us/who-we-are/.
3. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Foundation to Promote Open Society. 2023. Part XIV. 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year or Approved for Future Payment.
4. “Final Determination Letter – Global Philanthropy Project.” Internal Revenue Service, May 11, 2023. Accessed December 13, 2025. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/dl/FinalLetter_92-0399631_GLOBALPHILANTHROPYPROJECTINC_12012022_00.pdf.
5. “Our History.” Global Philanthropy Project. Accessed December 13, 2025. https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/our-history/.
6. “Members.” Global Philanthropy Project. Accessed December 13, 2025. https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/about-us/gpp-members/.
7. “Grants Opportunities.” Global Philanthropy Project. Accessed December 13, 2025. https://globalphilanthropyproject.org/grants/.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Global Philanthropy Project. 2023. Part I, lines 12, 18, 22.
9. “Full-Text Search: Global Philanthropy Project.” ProPublica. Accessed December 13, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/full_text_search?q=%22global+philanthropy+project%22+.
10. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990-PF). Arcus Foundation. 2022. Part XIV. 3 – Grants and Contributions Paid During the Year.
11. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Global Philanthropy Project. 2023. Part II – Signature Block, 2025-05-15.
12. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Global Philanthropy Project. 2023. Part VII – Compensation of Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, Highest Compensated Employees, and Independent Contractors.