Sustaining Independent LGBTQ Journalism

OUTSMART FOUNDATION FOR LGBTQ NEWS AND MEDIA

For more than 30 years, OutSmart has documented the stories and experiences shaping LGBTQ life.

For more than 30 years, OutSmart has documented the stories, achievements, and challenges of Houston’s LGBTQ community, becoming a trusted source of news, culture, and connection for readers across the region.

The OutSmart Foundation for LGBTQ News and Media, established in 2024, builds on this legacy by supporting independent journalism, educational media initiatives, and community storytelling that reflect the diverse experiences of LGBTQ communities.

Through philanthropic support, the Foundation helps sustain and expand this work—ensuring LGBTQ voices are heard, community history is preserved, and future generations remain informed and connected.

MORE ABOUT US

OUR MISSION

To strengthen and sustain LGBTQ community journalism in Houston so that the stories, voices, and experiences of our community are documented, shared, and preserved.

OUR IMPACT

30+ YEARS
Of LGBTQ journalism

MILLIONS OF READERS
Reached through print and digital media

THOUSANDS OF LEADERS & ORGANIZATIONS
Highlighted through our reporting

AWARD-WINNING WORK
Recognized locally and nationally

EMERGING JOURNALISTS
Supported through internships and mentorship

COMMUNITY STORIES
Amplifying nonprofits, leaders, and local initiatives

A LASTING ARCHIVE
Preserving LGBTQ history and culture

THE STORIES WE TELL

The OutSmart Foundation supports independent journalism that informs the public, documents the experiences of LGBTQ communities, and highlights the issues shaping our lives. Our work focuses on three key areas that guide our reporting and strengthen the impact of the stories we share.

Examining the policies, advocacy efforts,
and civic issues shaping LGBTQ lives.

Civil rights protections and legal developments
Public policy affecting LGBTQ communities
Advocacy movements and community leadership
Civic engagement and voting issues

Exploring health challenges, resources, and solutions that support well-being.

HIV awareness and prevention
Mental health and wellness
Healthcare access and disparities
Aging and community care

LGBTQ artists and performers
Cultural events and creative work
Community leaders and storytellers
Preservation of LGBTQ history

Celebrating creative expression and preserving the stories that define our community.

IMPORTANCE OF Community Journalism

Independent journalism plays a vital role in ensuring that underrepresented communities are seen, heard, and understood. Philanthropy and reader support help make it possible for organizations like OutSmart to continue documenting the stories, challenges, and achievements of LGBTQ communities.

Through sustaining memberships, sponsorships, and philanthropic investment, the OutSmart Foundation helps ensure that trusted LGBTQ journalism continues to inform the public, strengthen community connections, and preserve the voices that shape our shared history.

The OutSmart Foundation works with organizations, businesses, foundations, and individuals who share a commitment to strengthening LGBTQ visibility and understanding through independent journalism.

Partnership opportunities include underwriting investigative reporting, supporting health and wellness coverage, and investing in storytelling initiatives that highlight the voices, challenges, and achievements of our community. Together, these partnerships help ensure that trusted LGBTQ journalism continues to inform, connect, and inspire.