What We Do

Founded in 2000, RWF is the world’s first and only all-volunteer, international LGBTQ+-based humanitarian aid organization. RWF donors and volunteers make a difference in the world by helping RWF fund projects benefiting LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ people affected by natural disasters, hunger, poverty, oppression, and war. Our work shows the world that the LGBTQ+ community can be visible and compassionate, providing leadership in humanitarian efforts to help those in need, while building bridges with others around the world who also are working to heal our planet.  

RWF raises awareness within the LGBTQ+ community of humanitarian relief efforts around the world. Seeing the faces and hearing the stories of those in need makes this need personal rather than abstract and far away, and RWF’s work shows potential donors a concrete way to help. Through outreach and education, LGBTQ+ people who’ve never before considered being part of international humanitarian aid are now donating to projects around the world.

RWF creates visibility: As LGBTQ+ people, we know the power of coming out. RWF provides a platform and a voice for LGBTQ+ compassion and concern that is seen and heard around the world. We are changing the way the world sees us. The visibility that RWF provides shows an LGBTQ+ community that is engaged, committed, effective, and helpful. Our work counters prejudice and raises awareness and support for LGBTQ+ rights, sorely needed the world over. It allows us to show the world who we really are, and what we care about.

RWF raises gay consciousness: RWF provides the LGBTQ+ community with an opportunity to effect real global change, to put our highest beliefs and values into action. We have a lot to offer the world, and can share beyond the LGBTQ+ community what HIV/AIDS and our civil rights struggle have taught us about coming together as a community in caring, giving, and loving.

RWF builds bridges. We provide leadership and build community by uniting LGBTQ+ people and resources with others throughout the world who are working to heal our planet. RWF’s global partnerships allow the communities we serve and our partner agencies to become more aware and open to the LGBTQ+ community. RWF brings LGBTQ+ people together who believe in the sacredness of life and believe that together we can heal the world.

RWF changes the world: We believe that change for the better in this world must begin with a change in collective consciousness. We begin at home, within the LGBTQ+ community, to educate ourselves, our families, and our friends about the world’s needs, and about our power as individuals, united in community, to work together to heal the world.

RWF's Accomplishments
RWF has distributed over $6.5 million in humanitarian aid (supplies and grants) and provided over 85,000 hours of volunteer service. Examples of our work include: food aid for Hurricane evacuees (including funding 1 million pounds of food aid for Hurricane Katrina survivors); helping hundreds of endangered LGBTQ+ refugees from the Middle East and Afghanistan reach safety; emergency supplies for the South East Asia tsunami; medical supplies and financial aid to various projects in Guatemala; water projects throughout Central America providing safe drinking water to hundreds; supplying thousands of pounds of medicine, medical supplies, and school supplies to communities in Mexico; funding a landmine eradication projects in Cambodia; supporting HIV/AIDS case management programs in South Africa funding the monthly salaries of rural HIV peer educators; a computer lab to a Guatemalan middle school; a benefit concert for Haiti; traveling to Washington DC to advocate on Capitol Hill for development and aid issues; funding summer camps HIV affected children and children with cancer in Cuba; aid for natural disasters in Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, the Middle East, North America, South America, and South East Asia; and distributing thousands of stuffed animals to children in hospitals, schools and orphanages.

RWF was recognized for its humanitarian aid by the California State Assembly following the South East Asia tsunami and for helping Haiti recover from Hurricane Jeanne. RWF was honored as an Organizational Grand Marshal of the San Francisco Pride Parade. California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi have also recognized RWF's work. RWF's founder, Jeff Cotter, was named one of the most intriguing people in the OUT 100 List. Cotter was made a Distinguished Alumnus of Old Dominion University for this humanitarian contributions.