Three influential philanthropists in India have recently joined forces to launch the Homegrown Pride Fund, a corporate philanthropic initiative designed to support grassroots queer-led organizations striving to uplift and advocate for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQIA+) communities throughout the nation.
The Delhi-based Keshav Suri Foundation (KSF), Mumbai-based Godrej Industries Group (GIG), and Radhika Piramal, the executive director of VIP Industries Ltd, have come together to kickstart this essential fund. With a collective commitment, they aim to create an annual corpus of ₹2 crore for the next three years, with the potential for growth as additional backers join the cause.
The Pride Fund, while in its infancy, has already made significant strides by selecting eight deserving queer-led organizations from a pool of 29 applicants to receive multi-year funding. These organizations, including Basera Social Institute, Deepshikha Committee, Vikalp Women’s Group, Sappho for Equality, Karna Subarna Welfare Society, Ya_All: The Youth Network, Chhattisgarh Mitwa Sankalp Samiti, and Payana, represent a diverse range of regions and target groups across India.
Empowering the Grassroots
Each of the selected NGOs brings a unique perspective and focus to their work. For instance, Basera Samajik Sansthan, located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, dedicates itself to providing livelihood training and legal support to marginalized groups such as sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSMs), transgender individuals, and people living with HIV (PLHIV). Meanwhile, Vikalp Women’s Group in Baroda, Gujarat, offers shelter and crisis assistance to lesbian and bisexual women, as well as transmen, in addition to conducting awareness programs.
One particularly inspiring example is Ya_All, which originated as a clandestine WhatsApp group in 2017 and has since evolved into a vital resource center in Imphal, Manipur. Through its initiatives, Ya_All connects young LGBTQIA+ individuals with crucial counseling services addressing topics like sexual and reproductive health, drug use, and harm reduction. Maya Sharma, co-founder of Vikalp Women’s Group, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It’s an opportunity for us to meet the needs of our ever-growing network of community.”
The launch of the Pride Fund is a beacon of hope for many LGBTQIA organizations that have been struggling to sustain their essential services on limited resources. Radhika Piramal, one of the driving forces behind the fund, emphasized the critical role that these NGOs play in supporting the community. She, along with Keshav Suri and Parmesh Sahani, advocates for increased awareness and resources to bolster the efforts of queer-led organizations on the ground.
Championing Diversity and Inclusion
The inception of the Pride Fund sheds light on the crucial need for philanthropic support within the LGBTQIA+ community in India. A recent report titled ‘Against All Odds’ by Dasra highlighted the stark lack of funding for LGBTQ organizations in the country. It revealed that India receives only 1% of global funding for queer communities, with only a handful of top philanthropic donors in India explicitly prioritizing LGBTQIA+ issues.
Parmesh Sahani, who leads the Godrej DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) Lab, emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting the diverse demographics within the country. He urged Indian companies, especially those rooted in the national struggle movements, to broaden their philanthropic horizons to include LGBTQ individuals as part of their focus areas, alongside education and health initiatives.
Keshav Suri, whose foundation provides vital training and employment opportunities for queer individuals, stressed the precarious nature of philanthropic efforts, both domestically and globally. Despite challenges like the recent freeze on foreign aid in the United States, Suri remains optimistic about the potential impact of initiatives like the Pride Fund. Radhika Piramal echoed this sentiment, expressing her determination to engage with foundations, High Networth Individuals, and corporations with CSR budgets to garner support for the cause.
As the wealth in India continues to grow, Piramal emphasized the importance of persistence and charm in seeking contributions for the Pride Fund. The commitment of these philanthropists and the organizations they support serves as a testament to the power of collective action in championing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the nation.
The philanthropic efforts of the Homegrown Pride Fund are a shining example of the transformative impact that can be achieved through collaboration and support. By standing together to uplift marginalized communities, these passionate individuals are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
