The Gill Foundation is one of the largest private funders of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equal rights work in the United States. The foundation’s mission is “to secure equal opportunity for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation and gender expression.”
Based in Denver, Colo, the foundation has three board members: Tim Gill, Urvashi Vaid, and John Barabino.
Day-to-day operations are managed by the President and CEO, Tim Sweeney, and the foundation’s staff.
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The Gill Foundation was founded by Tim Gill in 1994, two years after the passage of Amendment 2, a Colorado ballot initiative denying lesbians and gay men equal protection under the law. Through 2010, the foundation had granted more than $118 million to nonprofits sharing its commitment to full equality.
About 80 percent of the foundation’s funding is dedicated to national and state LGBT nonprofits and allies that work every day to bring about equality. Funding to these organizations, including those in Colorado, is provided by the Gill Foundation. Because the Gill Foundation is based in Colorado, the remaining 20 percent of its funding goes to nonprofits in the state that improve the quality of life for all its residents. Funding for these programs is given in the name of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, a program of the Gill Foundation. In its 15-year history, the fund has given more than $27.6 million in grants to Colorado nonprofits.