The Bayard Rustin Society

Since December 2024, the Bayard Rustin Society has grown from a single Atlanta-based chapter into a national community spanning 16 states—and growing. What began as a bold idea has quickly become a movement, fueled by an “each-one-bring-one” ethos that reflects our belief that real change happens through trusted relationships. We are not simply building a donor base—we are cultivating a living network of mentors, advocates, and leaders who are committed to investing in the next generation through their wisdom, their presence, and their care.

With an ambitious 2026 campaign, the Society is poised to secure the long-term fiscal sustainability of this work—independent of the unpredictable cycles of foundation grants and corporate sponsorships, which too often recede when LGBTQ+ communities face political headwinds. This is about building something durable, community-rooted, and unapologetically values-driven. When you join the Bayard Rustin Society, you’re not just making a gift—you’re helping ensure that, no matter the moment, the work of cultivating courageous, justice-centered leadership will continue.