A report has warned that LGBT+ charities in the UK are struggling in a “hostile environment” as funding opportunities dwindle while demand rises.
The research – based on analysis of funding, finances and organisational trends across more than 770 of the UK’s LGBT+ charities – found that the sector is under “growing pressure”.
Published today by the LGBT+ Fund and membership organisation Consortium, researchers noted that despite growing demand for support, total funding for the sector had fallen in real terms since 2023.
It also said the “hostile environment” in which many LGBT+ charities are operating had created additional challenges around staff wellbeing, safety and burnout.
According to the report, total funding for LGBT+ voluntary and community organisations has fallen by 8.6% in real terms between 2023 and 2025.
Total identified funding stood at £53.3m in 2025, which is equivalent to 5p in every £100 given to charities (compared to 6p in 2023).
The report also found that funding is increasingly concentrated among a small number of funders, with the top 20 accounting for 88% of all identified funding across the sector.
Meanwhile, 72% of LGBT+ organisations reported increasing demand for their services.
It also found that six in ten of the smallest respondents were regularly using personal funds to deliver services and support.
Emma Miller-McCaffrey, LGBT+ Fund’s development manager, said: “We often hear the LGBT+ voluntary sector talk about how much they do with so little resource, but the LGBT+ Fund Report truly backs this up.
“Organisations are doing amazing work, relying heavily on volunteers to provide a whole range of support and activities to the communities it serves across the UK, but the reality of decreasing funding is stark.
“We need more investment into the sector, and we need it now more than ever.”
