Queer organizations call for restored funding as demand surges
UPlift Black and Rainbow Railroad report significant cuts and freezing of grants, forcing layoffs and program reductions despite rising requests for support.
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Several 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations across Canada are struggling to maintain services as government funding freezes and reductions collide with rising demand for their support.
UPlift Black, a social justice and arts organization serving 2SLGBTQIA+ BIPOC communities in Simcoe County, and Rainbow Railroad, an international organization supporting LGBTQ+ people fleeing persecution, both report cascading impacts from federal funding uncertainty.
"Grassroots organizations are in a constant situation where we are most fully funded by either project grants or specific initiatives," said Shelly-Ann Skinner, founder of UPlift Black. "It has not been easy, especially since there have been some changes to the way the federal government is funding organizations, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and Black-led organizations."
The core issue is the shift away from core funding toward project-based grants. Core funding covers ongoing operational costs—rent, staffing, utilities, administration—while project grants arrive temporarily for specific initiatives. UPlift Black, which has operated a physical community space since 2022, says maintaining it without core funding has become increasingly difficult.
The organization has also been hit by a decline in donations and corporate support. A major blow came from the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives: UPlift Black's consulting and education revenue fell nearly 50 percent after companies reduced DEI spending following the U.S. administration change.
These cuts have forced the organization to lay off staff and reduce programming significantly. UPlift Black now operates mainly through drop-in programs and "You Belong Here," a service supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers.
Rainbow Railroad, meanwhile, received more than 20,000 requests for help last year. Advocates are calling on the federal government to restore funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ and newcomer-serving organizations while encouraging community members to support the work through donations, volunteering, and advocacy.