PFLAG

Challenge

PFLAG members pose for a photo as supporters from across the country gather to advocate for their LGBTQ+ loved ones and families at PFLAG National Lobby Day on Capitol Hill on October 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for PFLAG National)

PFLAG is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Founded 50 years ago by a mother and her gay son, PFLAG’s network of hundreds of chapters and more than 325,000 members and supporters are helping create an equitable and inclusive world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved.

In 2021, PFLAG National approached Elevate seeking help with two challenges. First, PFLAG National needed additional development capacity due to a team member’s recent departure. The organization wanted to continue to keep pace with a rapidly increasing foundation grants portfolio as well as cultivate new and steward current institutional funders. Second, PFLAG was poised to engage in a new strategic planning process, which would result in new and expanded priorities, including a greater emphasis on advocacy work. As a result, the organization would need new prospect research to support its new priorities, as well as new language to articulate these priorities to institutional funders.

Response

To meet these needs, PFLAG National contracted with Elevate for its signature Comprehensive Grant Writing Services. Elevate assigned a dedicated team, including a Director, Grant Writer, and Project Coordinator, to partner closely with PFLAG National throughout the engagement. This team leveraged its expertise to identify funding prospects and provide significant capacity for grant writing, while providing structure for funder cultivation and improved systems and processes for pursuing grants.

Over time, Elevate and PFLAG National developed a deep thought partnership, working closely to articulate special projects through concept notes and other written resources, frame narratives for new audiences, and consider elements of program design.

Impact

Over the course of its 2+ year engagement with Elevate, Elevate helped PFLAG National bring in over $1.7 million dollars, with an average grant win rate of 71%, including new institutional funders for PFLAG National’s advocacy work. Furthermore, the engagement with Elevate increased the capacity and capability of PFLAG National’s internal team, which is now well-positioned with the necessary tools and skills to manage PFLAG National’s grant calendar.

About the Organization

PFLAG is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. Founded 50 years ago by a mother and her gay son, PFLAG’s network of hundreds of chapters and more than 325,000 members and supporters are helping create an equitable and inclusive world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved.

Service Details

advocacy and policy

Founded

1994

Started With Elevate

2021

Location

Washington, D.C.

Annual Budget

$7,000,000

Visit Online