Our History
Equity was founded in Portland in 1989 by a group of LGBTQ Oregonians who began to advocate for equality as a response to the many institutional practices and legal statutes in place that made it socially permissible or legal to discriminate against sexual minorities.
With a focus on advancing the dignity and worth of all people, they formed the Equity Foundation (“Equity”) as a grant-making, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose intention was to eradicate prejudice against sexual and gender minority communities through its commitment to funding equality.
Through the creation of the Equity Foundation, the founders’ bravery and advocacy provided the basis for the cultural shift that has humanized people’s struggle for equal rights in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
The grantmaking of Equity Foundation is now a part of Pride Foundation’s investments and leadership in Oregon.
View our past financial statements.