Mission

The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund (DVLF) strives to increase philanthropy and grantmaking to support the community needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and straight-allied communities. DVLF advances philanthropy for the LGBT community through endowment building, fundraising, community outreach and education.

 
• We have created a donor-advised endowment fund at The Philadelphia Foundation, which generates revenue for grantmaking.  Our endowment now stands at over $750,000.

• We promote awareness of our endowment and encourage estate planning and bequest gifts from the LGBT and straight-allied communities.  Over 40 people have already pledged future bequest gifts to DVLF’s endowment, with a conservatively estimated value of $8 million. 

 
• We conduct annual fundraising initiatives to support our operating expenses, as well as to increase the dollars available for grantmaking.  This year, we will grant at least $50,000 to LGBT organizations in our region.  We fund LGBT and straight-allied organizations that promote civil rights, health and social services, and arts and culture for our community.  We also fund a limited number of scholarships from specially designated funds.

Since our founding in 1993, our work has been greatly enhanced by our partnership with The Philadelphia Foundation.  Established in 1918, The Philadelphia Foundation is the third oldest and one of the largest community foundations in the country, with assets exceeding $350 million.  It seeks to develop, manage and allocate community resources in partnership with donors and grantees, to build on community assets, and to promote empowerment, leadership and civic participation among underserved groups.  The Philadelphia Foundation practices and encourages diversity, equality and inclusiveness as fundamental values of community life.