Horizons Foundation’s roots — as with so many Bay Area LGBTQ community organizations — lie deep in the phenomenal growth and development that marked the 1970s and early 1980s. It was a time when tens of thousands of LGBTQ people found their way to San Francisco and, as the population multiplied, activists began to establish organizations to help, support, and advocate for them.

The idea behind Horizons was completely new: a community-based foundation to support the whole spectrum of LGBTQ organizations — a foundation that was of, by, and for LGBTQ people. Initially founded as the philanthropic arm of the Golden Gate Business Association, Horizons became independent in 1988.

Horizons Envisions a world in which LGBTQ people live lives of pride, dignity, justice, and joy and where

• Strong sustainable organizations have the resources to advocate for, serve, and celebrate the lives of LGBTQ people
• LGBTQ people give generously to LGBTQ causes and nonprofit organizations
• LGBTQ people thrive in vibrant, diverse, and compassionate communities
• LGBTQ culture and pride are cherished and celebrated
• All sexual identities and gender expressions are visible and valued, and
• Future generations of LGBTQ people have plentiful community financial resources to address emerging issues.

Horizons foundation is a community foundation rooted in and dedicated to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community, and they exist to:

• Mobilize and increase resources for the LGBTQ movement and organizations that secure the rights, meet the needs, and celebrate the lives of LGBTQ people.
• Empower individual donors and promote giving as an integral part of a healthy, compassionate community.
• Steward a permanently endowed fund through which donors can make legacy gifts to ensure our community’s capacity to meet the future needs of LGBTQ people.