Hello John,
As of this month, over $1.8 billion has been raised for this year’s presidential candidates. To put it into perspective, that’s more than the value of the Mona Lisa. Let that sink in for a moment — and remember, most of this cash comes from smaller donations, given the legal caps on campaign contributions.
As the leader of a grassroots organization, I dream of the potential impact organizations like mine could make with just a slice of that pie. But here's the kicker: when elections roll around, wallets tighten up. It's like we're all holding our breath, waiting to see where the chips will fall.
Nonprofits like It Gets Better have to be flexible. We must ride out economic downturns, natural disasters, wars, and other critically serious moments that demand immediate attention. But we are tough, and we know there is plenty to go around.
The issues that It Gets Better and so many other organizations fight for don’t just vanish during election season. We’ve navigated the terms of three U.S. Presidents and have seen amazing wins (and a few gut-wrenching losses) for the LGBTQ+ community. Trust me, red or blue, the emotional rollercoaster that all youth go through as they grow up and head into adulthood happens no matter who is in the White House. Of course, we want politicians who support our kids, but queer youth will always need the support of their community.
(Our 2023-2024 class of Youth Voices at the It Gets Better offices).
We grow up fast, and LGBTQ+ youth today still face the same challenges as those from older generations: coming of age, finding their identity, discovering their place in the world – all while battling hate, stigma, misinformation, and that all-too-real feeling of being alone because they don’t fit the mold. Yet we know the power all LGBTQ+ youth have within – and we love bringing it out of them!
It Gets Better is, and always will be, a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ youth. With programming reaching more than 700,000 youth around the world, we will continue to be a steadfast champion for every young LGBTQ+ person trying to connect with their potential, but we need your support to do it. This fight is every bit as important today as it was 14 years ago, and we need you to stay the course with us.
Make a donation to It Gets Better and help us build a brighter future for LGBTQ+ youth!
Brian Wenke (he/him)
Executive Director
It Gets Better
The It Gets Better Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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