Heroes are people or organizations striving to change the status quo and make equality a reality for all members of the LGBTI community. Anyone can nominate a Hero or be nominated as a Hero. Heroes are selected by the DVLF Outreach and Grantmaking Committee and approved by the DVLF Board of Directors after careful review of all complete submissions. Through the Heroes program, DVLF seeks to honor those citizens and organizations whose efforts and actions have the greatest impact on the Delaware Valley LGBTI community and beyond.

Past individual honorees include: Barbara Gittings (2004), Dennis P. Green (2005), Ennes Littrell (2005), Mel Heifetz (2006), Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell (2007), Lansdowne Borough Council Member Kevin Lee (2008), and Gloria Casarez, Director of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia (2009).

Past nonprofit honorees include: Equality Forum (2006), Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Tourism Caucus (2007), the Rainbow Room (2008),a program of Planned Parenthood of Bucks County, and AIDS Fund (2009).

Past corporate honorees include: Merrill Lynch (2007), Citigroup - Citibank & Smith Barney (2008), and PNC Wealth Management (2009).