Happy Pride Month, folks! As the world opens up, you’re probably planning how to budget for that music festival (hello, Outside Lands), a pair of shorts (Everlane, anyone?), or just the increasing amount of “drinks!!” invites in your Google calendar. This Pride Month, though, is as good a time as any to start thinking about philanthropy.

That’s right: philanthropy. As in giving some $$$. You might be thinking, “HellooOoOOooo, I’m broke?? I have nothing to give, and even if I did, I could never give enough to make a difference.” That, my friend, is where you’re wrong.

According to MarketWatch, most people give around 3-5% of their income to charity (although many people donate much more). For you, that could just be $5, which is equivalent to:

• A little bit less than a coconut water from the dining hall
• A little bit more than a bag of Boom Chicka Pop 
• Basically a Venti Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks

You get the point. But what’s all this have to do with Pride?

Pride month is a reminder to honor LGBTQIA+ folks near and far. It’s a celebration of queer culture and history. It calls us to remember all the folks who died fighting for liberation (like Marsha P. Johnson) and uplift those still in the fight (like television writer Janet Mock, deputy director for transgender justice at ACLU Chase Strangio, and many more). Pride is also a call to support LGBTQIA+ folks with cold, hard cash.

If you identify as an ally, how can you contribute? Start by either making a one-time donation or, if you’re able, set up an automatic monthly donation to the organization of your choice (even if it is just $5). Here is a list of LGBTQIA+ led organizations currently needing donations:

• The Transgender Law Center, the largest national trans-led organization advocating for trans civil liberties across the United States
• The National Black Justice Coalition, a national civil rights organization dedicated to supporting Black LGBTQIA+ people through federal policy change, education, and research
• The House of Resilience, San Diego’s first 100% free community housing program for transgender women of color
• The Trevor Project, provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention in LGBTQIA+ youth
• Brooklyn Liberation, a QTPOC grassroots collective that organizes for Black trans liberation
• Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network, which supports community-building and self-determination for Two-Spirit, Trans Women, and Femmes of color

If you identify as LGBTQIA+, June could be your month to treat yourself and focus on self-care. That could mean going out for a nice dinner, unwinding with some Netflix, or hitting up your local Pride parade. Honor whatever you need right now.

However you identify, we stand with you.

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