Washington, D.C. – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, is proud to launch WorthIt, a new financial wellness platform for LGBTQ+ community members that provides tools needed to navigate challenging, often discriminatory systems and gain more economic stability.

Recent research shows the likelihood of LGBTQ+ adults living in poverty is greater than their cisgender, straight peers in part due to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. The challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people when seeking employment have widened the income gap, with full time LGBTQ+ workers earning approximately 90 cents for every dollar earned by an average worker, and LGBTQ+ women earning just 79 cents for every dollar earned by men. Though there have been some improvements, with the percentage of LGBTQ+ adults living under the poverty line dropping in recent years, 17% of LGBTQ+ adults, and over a fifth (21.2%) of transgender adults, are living under the poverty line as of 2021. Sadly, the probability of poverty is even higher for multiply marginalized communities, with more than a quarter (28.9%) of Black LGBTQ+ adults, and a third (31.5%) of American Indian/Alaska Native LGBTQ+ adults living in poverty. In comparison, 12% of non-LGBTQ+ adults, including less than one in ten (7.4%) of white non-LGBTQ+ adults, are living in poverty.

“We know far too many folks in our community are focused on surviving. We deserve to thrive,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson. “All across this country LGBTQ+ folks, and especially Black and Brown and trans folks, are struggling to meet basic financial needs because of bias that makes everything from education to employment to banking a real challenge. While we continue to work to change policies and systems, we also know that resources built by the community and for the community can change lives. That’s why we created WorthIt -- to help get folks closer to the financial freedom we all deserve. ”

To combat this disturbing reality, the HRC Foundation is partnering with LifeCents, a leading financial wellness provider, to create WorthIt. Tailored to the needs of LGBTQ+ adults ages 18 to 44, WorthIt aims to raise awareness around economic injustice within the LGBTQ+ community and provide the tools and information needed to help close the LGBTQ+ wealth gap. This work builds on the success of a similar platform, SAGECents, launched in 2020 by SAGE – the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older people – and designed specifically for LGBTQ+ elders.

The platform, launched during Pride month, will serve as a trusted resource for basic financial education by providing access to community-centered information for those seeking to increase their economic stability and is accessible via WorthIt.hrc.org.

This work is part of a larger effort at HRC to expand its programming around economic empowerment including public education and research and online education efforts such as WorthIt. The Foundation is conducting research into the financial lives and needs of the community and building a 10-week course, Next Level, focused on job readiness, financial health and wellness that will be piloted in fall 2023.

This work is made possible by generous funding from T-Mobile, the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Workday Foundation.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. Through 11 programs and initiatives, we seek to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, with a clear focus on BIPOC and multiply marginalized communities. We work each day to shed light on injustice and deepen the public’s understanding. We provide direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices. We build the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs. And, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, we forge partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

About LifeCents

LifeCents is a leading financial wellness provider with an award-winning financial health app that inspires people to live happier and healthier financial lives. LifeCents offers a highly engaging and interactive experience that provides consumers with a starting point and much needed personalized guidance towards improved financial well-being. LifeCents enables clients and partners to better understand consumers’ needs—leading to better engagement and outcomes.