Michael Seltzer and Ralph Tachuk—together more than 28 years—have a great understanding of the hard work social justice requires. Michael, a pioneer in nonprofit management and philanthropy, and Ralph, with his own years of experience working with social change organizations, were drawn together because of their shared vision of a world where, as Ralph put it, “social justice is a reality, not just for this group or that group but for everyone.” Their long-term commitment to social justice for all has meant that they have supported Astraea for more than 20 years. Their hope? That they can encourage other gay men to “see our common bonds with lesbians of all colors and understand that our struggles are linked entirely.”

Arlene Bronstein was a 60-year-old lung-cancer survivor and retired law firm records manager. Somjen Frazer is a 27-year-old research and evaluation consultant for progressive non-profits and half of the comedy duo Mustache Clowns. What do they have in common? Astraea, for one. Both have expressed their strong commitment to LGBTI arts and activism around the globe by making a contribution every month. For decades, Arlene, Somjen and donors like them have been integral parts of Astraea’s success.

“I’m a quiet donor,” Arlene said. Though modest about her impact, Arlene was a monthly sustainer for nearly three decades. It adds up. Over the years, Arlene gave more than $20,000.

“At first, I liked that Astraea was the only charity devoted to lesbian issues, though that was not openly stated. Of course, it was also the connection to Margot Karle.” Margot and Arlene became immediate and life-long best friends in high school. Later, Margot became a lawyer and provided pro bono legal work for Astraea when it was founded, remaining an ardent supporter. After she passed away, Arlene began making contributions in her memory.

“Now there are other lesbian charities,” Arlene said, “but in my mind, Astraea still is the most diverse regarding the community it deals with. Astraea interprets ‘community’ in the widest possible sense.”

Arlene and donors like her have helped insure the growth and impact of Astraea, from a small regional foundation granting just $6,000 in the first year to an international force for change, distributing $2.2 million last year to LGBTI activists working for human rights worldwide.

Note: Arlene Bronstein passed away on September 18, 2017. Please click here for more information.

Dr. Marjorie Hill, health professional, public policy advocate, and current CEO of Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), can’t remember how she first heard about Astraea. “I also don’t remember the first time I met my cousin,” she explains. “Like family, Astraea has always been there.”

And Dr. Hill has always supported the work. The willingness of Astraea to be out—out about being lesbian and out about working for racial and economic justice—inspires her to support the Foundation. “I am an African American woman, and I’m a lesbian, and I’m very out about both of those things,” she says.

“But it’s not just that Astraea is out about being a lesbian-led organization; it’s a lesbian organization that does important, strategic work,” says Dr. Hill. Astraea funds the arts, and supports organizing in the U.S. and internationally—ultimately facilitating a global movement for the empowerment of LGBTI people. At Astraea’s 2006 Giving and Activism Retreat, she made connections with activists from around the world—from Bosnia, China, Uganda, and the U.S.—all Astraea donors and grantees, many of whom, like Dr. Hill, were meeting and strategizing together for the first time.

Dr. Hill knows intimately the work required to fundraise for women’s and lesbian issues. GMHC has grown from an emergency response to HIV/AIDS for white gay men, to an organization that today has a client base 65% people of color, and is the largest HIV/AIDS service provider for women. Though the focus of the work is HIV/AIDS, the underpinning is social justice—working to provide equal access to health care and quality providers, and to remove all racial, gender and class barriers that impinge on rights and quality of life. In May 2008, Dr. Hill became the first LGBTI person to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The ceremony honored the AIDS Walk, which primarily benefits the work of GMHC.

Dr. Hill remembers a favorite Astraea a T-Shirt. On the front: Lesbians Are Great Leaders, and the back: You Are Following One. As one of our Movement’s most accomplished activists, Dr. Hill is a leader worth following.

Theo is a member of Resource Generation’s CORE Advisory Committee, which seeks to build community for, and engage young people of color with wealth in, social justice philanthropy. Some of her interests include food justice and food sovereignty, the disability rights and harm reduction movements, and activist-led giving models. Theo is also interested in connections between emotional well-being and the practice of generosity.

“I’m excited about being a member of Astraea because of the amazing group of grantees I help support and the activist-led grantmaking process through which they are selected.

In the U.S., organizations such as Southerners on New Ground and The Audre Lorde Project are precisely the kinds of organizations I am looking to fund––organizations led by people of color with strategies targeting social and economic injustices that particularly affect the queer, people-of-color community.

I also really appreciate Astraea’s international grantmaking because I want to fund LGBTI community and support services internationally and trust Astraea’s knowledge and experience.”