The Point Foundation is a left-of-center nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for LGBT people and works to train left-of-center activists through its mentorship and leadership development programs. ¹

Finances

In 2018, the Point Foundation received $3,590,366 in contributions and an additional $350,640 in investment income. ² The organization also reported $9,052,720 in net assets. ³

In 2018, the Point Foundation received contributions from several left-of-center grantmaking organizations, including the Calamus Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust. ^{4 5} The Point Foundation has also received donations from several personal trusts and family foundations, including the Barbara Epstein Foundation,⁶ the Mathew Marks Charitable Trust,⁷ and the Yampolsky Foundation. ⁸

Activism Training

The Point Foundation operates a leadership development program which includes the Foundation’s biennial National Leadership Conference, smaller regional forums, and access to Leadership Education and Affinities Development (LEAD) conferences for its members. ⁹

The National Leadership Conference has featured speakers including U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) and transgender activist Our Lady J. Rep. Cicilline cosponsored the Gay and Trans Panic Defense Prohibition Act, legislation to prevent defense attorneys from arguing for a lesser sentence for clients who commit assault or battery after an individual who they believe to be gay or transgender makes a nonviolent sexual advance on the defendant. ¹⁰ Rep. Cicilline also frequently advocates for the expansion of government-funded abortion services and has received a 100% rating from the pro-abortion organization NARAL Pro-Choice America. ¹¹

Scholarships

The Point Foundation also organizes a scholarship program for LGBT youth, taking into consideration an applicant’s history of LGBT activism before accepting them into the program. ¹² The Point Foundation also provides internship funding for LGBT individuals through grants provided by the Palette Foundation.

In an article for the Point Foundation’s blog, program alumnus Andrew Ntim program stated that the Point Foundation’s program ignited his interest in activism. Ntim also reported using funding from the organization to spend a summer as an activist opposing legislation in North Carolina that sought to prevent individuals who identify as transgender women from using female restrooms. ¹³

Leadership

Jorge Valencia has been executive director of the Point Foundation since 2007. Valencia has a background in nonprofit development and was formerly president of the left-of-center LGBT interest group Trevor Project before joining the Point Foundation. ¹⁴

1. “Mission” Point Foundation. https://pointfoundation.org/thepoint/mission/
2. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed October 12, 2020. Part I, Lines 8-10.
3. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed October 12, 2020. Part I, Line 22.
4. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed October 12, 2020. Schedule I. Part II.
5. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed October 12, 2020. Part XV.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed October 12, 2020. Part XV.
7. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed October 12, 2020. Part XV.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax” Guidestar.org. Accessed October 12, 2020. Part IX-A.
9. “Programs – Leadership” Point Foundation. https://pointfoundation.org/thepoint/leadership/
10. “Bill seeks to end use of so-called “gay panic” defense” Associated Press. July 14, 2018. Accessed October 12, 2020. https://apnews.com/article/83d0d88e64c045d890d7aa4dfdab9149
11. “David Cicilline’s Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)” Vote Smart.  https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/7349/david-cicilline/
12. “Eligibility Requirements and FAQs” Point Foundation. https://pointfoundation.org/point-apply/application-faqs/
13. “QUEER LEGAL ACTIVISM IN NEW HAVEN” Point Foundation. https://pointfoundation.org/queer-legal-activism-in-new-haven/
14. “Staff: Jorge Valencia.” Point Foundation. Accessed October 21, 2020. https://pointfoundation.org/thepoint/jorge-valencia/.