Due Diligence - Grant This accomplishes University Impact’s charitable purposes by helping LGBTQI+ individuals at risk of violence and persecution relocate to welcoming countries. Associates: Andrea Terminel [email protected]; Sophie de Bruyn [email protected]; Kirstin Detering - [email protected] ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ University Impact’s

Rainbow Railroad

Recommendation: Approval of an unrestricted grant ​ to Rainbow Railroad awarded in $15,000 increments

Company Information Legal Name Rainbow Railroad Entity Type: Nonprofit Incorporation Date 2006 Corporate Address Toronto, Ontario Website https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/

Social Problem: In over 70 countries there are laws that ​ criminalize same sex intimacy and discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Members of the LGBTQI+ community often face violence and persecution in these settings.

UN SDG: 10. (Reduced inequalities) ​ ​ ​ Business overview Theory of Change: An interconnected community of ​ LGBTQI+ human rights defenders, facilitated by Rainbow In over 70 countries, there are laws that criminalize same sex intimacy ​ Railroad, can provide an alternative pathway to safety ​ and discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. In 8 for people whose lives are at risk just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. of these countries, same sex intimacy is punishable by death. As a result, there are 122 million LGBTQI+ individuals living in countries where their Intervention: Rainbow Railroad offers emergency travel ​ support (ETS) and ad-hoc secondary support to LGBTQI+ sexual orientation may lead to violence and persecution or they may face individuals seeking safety from state-sponsored discrimination when applying for work, housing, education or when persecution. seeking medical attention. Outputs: Individuals moved to safety 800+ Rainbow Railroad’s key intervention is to offer travel support to LGBTQI+ Countries relocated from 43 ​ individuals who are in high-risk/dangerous environments. As such, the Countries relocated to 22 organization offers the following support to the LGBTQI+ individuals who are facing imminent danger: Financial Overview 1. Pre-travel support: Determine effective routes to safety and connect 2019 Total Revenue USD 3 M ​ ​ 2019 Total Expenses USD 2.8 M with local contacts who can provide pre-travel and logistical support. Cash on hand USD 378 k 2. Emergency Travel Support: Provide travel to their destination country ​ including funds for airfare, visa and passport fees, local transportation and other incidentals. Company Management Executive 3. Post-travel support: Provide immediate, bridging, and post-travel Kimhali Powell Canadian ​ Director support on arrival. This support can include several months of Managing Winnie Luk Canadian assistance for cost of living expenses until asylum claims are granted Director and work permits and government support are approved.

4. Ad-hoc secondary support: Due to the high volume of requests, ​ ​

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Rainbow Railroad sometimes offers secondary support that includes the provision of local resources or travel to safer locations within the country of origin.

Thesis and Recommendation We recommend investing an unrestricted grant amount awarded in $15,000 increments to Rainbow Railroad. The ​ ​ ​ value of $15,000 allows Rainbow Railroad to protect and support approximately 1 at-risk individual whose case has ​ ​ ​ been reviewed, verified and is travel-ready. An unrestricted grant allows Rainbow Railroad to provide support to as ​ many high-risk individuals as the unrestricted grant allows.

Specifically, the grant will offer assistance for each individual through the following two channels: 1) Emergency Response Fund to provide short-term support for healthcare, accommodation and living ​ expenses, which will help keep individuals safe and healthy during the ongoing crisis while waiting for international travel restrictions to ease. 2) Emergency Travel Support (ETS) facilitates preparations, travel and temporary post-travel support once ​ border openings are stable and a route to safety identified.

While Rainbow Railroad does not offer a solution to the root cause of the problem, the intervention the ​ organization offers is essential to the safety of many high-risk individuals. Although emergency travel support does ​ not offer a long-term solution to the root cause of the problem of state-sponsored violence and discrimination against members of the LGBTQI+ community, we argue that Rainbow Railroad should still be funded because it ​ ​ provides direct support to individuals whose livelihoods are immediately threatened. The work that Rainbow ​ Railroad does-- by both offering life-saving support to high-risk individuals while also offering financial and capacity ​ building support to partners on the ground--is still deemed to be worth investing in. This need is exacerbated by the effects of COVID-19, which has increased the risk to many LGBTQI+ individuals around the world, particularly those facing homelessness after familial rejection.

Rainbow Railroad’s intervention is critical and needed, exhibited by the high demand for the organization’s emergency travel support.

Rainbow Railroad’s emergency travel support is highly requested and gaining traction on a year-on-year basis. From 2016 to 2019 Rainbow Railroad received more than 5,900 requests for help originating from 123 different countries - of which 2,800 were in 2019 alone. During this time the organization was able to help almost 700 LGBTQI+ people to escape persecution and violence. 1 ​ The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the risk to the LGBTQI+ community, and Rainbow Railroad has been able ​ to provide meaningful intervention. Thus far in 2020, Rainbow Railroad has received over 2,200 applications for ​ ​ ​ ​ help. This is partly due to the fact that some governments are using the COVID-19 pandemic to target the LGBTQI+ community. For example, in Uganda, authorities raided an LGBTQI+ shelter and arrested 23 individuals under the false pretense of violating lockdown restrictions. Rainbow Railroad was able to provide emergency support to the ​ ​ shelter and worked with Sexual Minorities Uganda to secure the release of the detained individuals. This indicates ​ that Rainbow Railroad is able to offer immediate support to high-risk individuals around the world. LGBTQI+ ​ individuals are, on average, more economically precarious, face greater social isolation and are often discriminated

1 Rainbow Railroad, 2018, 2017, 2016 report. https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/about-us ​

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against in health systems. COVID-19 has heightened the risk to their safety. This shows that a grant will be reaching LGBTQI+ individuals who are in high-risk environments.

Rainbow Railroad is well-positioned to help vulnerable LGBTQI+ individuals due to the ​ organization's broad network of in-country agencies and partnerships

Despite travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rainbow Railroad has been able to provide ad-hoc ​ secondary support to high-risk individuals. To date in 2020, Rainbow Railroad has helped 367 individuals with ​ in-country support either through partnerships with agencies on the ground or with direct short-term financial support. Many of these individuals are travel-ready and will be prioritized for Emergency Travel Support as potential travel routes open.

Rainbow Railroad has an impressive network of partners around the world which allows them to offer support efficiently and effectively. The organization has been able to offer financial and capacity-building support to their ​ network of partners on the ground who provide in-country assistance to individuals facing a direct threat to their safety. The organization belongs to key LGBTQI Human Rights organizations including the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), the Dignity Network, The Commonwealth Equality Network and the Council for Global Equality.

Furthermore, the organization can provide vulnerable LGBTQI+ individuals with access to resources and referrals to local organizations to minimize the threat to their health and well-being. The organization's broad network of in-country agencies and partnerships also allows them to effectively identify the most high-risk individuals through referrals and validation from external, trustworthy sources. As a result, the intervention that Rainbow Railroad ​ offers has a fundamental impact by ensuring that the most high-risk LGBTQI+ individuals from around the world are ​ identified and supported.

Rainbow Railroad is committed to minimizing the risk factors involved in the operations of the organization. ​ Rainbow Railroad mitigates the risk of negative consequential impact through careful monitoring and tailored ​ support on a case-by-case basis. The intervention that Rainbow Railroad provides might lead to LGBTQI+ individuals ​ facing economic struggles caused by relocation, xenophobia, racism and the scrutiny of local governments. To mitigate such a risk, Rainbow Railroad offers post-travel financial support to ease the transition into a new ​ environment. In addition, clients’ identities are kept anonymous when necessary and travel routes as well as destinations are kept confidential. Furthermore, smart cyber security and logistics on the ground are used to protect at-risk individuals to prevent the risk of local governments interfering in Rainbow Railroad’s travel support ​ operations.

Rainbow Railroad has lost funders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when the organization’s work is more necessary than ever to protect the lives of vulnerable individuals

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A reduction in donations indicates that an unrestricted grant for Rainbow Railroad would help support the ​ ​ current business operations in an integral way. Revenue in Canada is projected to decrease by 25% and in the US by ​ 33%. The larger loss in the US is due to loss of several key corporate funders due to COVID. Concurrently, Rainbow ​ Railroad has been able to trim expenses in Canada by 28% and in the US by 30% mainly due to reducing non-essential administrative and fundraising expenses. Rainbow Railroad is projected to have a net asset amount of $926,053 (Canada and US combined) at the end of the year and anticipates using some of the accumulated surplus in 2021 to ensure a reduction of the backlog of cases waiting for Emergency Travel Support due to COVID. While Rainbow Railroad has been able to reduce expenditures throughout the organization without causing a significant impact on either their infrastructure or programmatic work, it has hindered the potential of the operations to expand dramatically during this time, something that an unrestricted grant would allow them to do.

Rainbow Railroad operates on a $4 million annual budget with 14 staff in three countries. The organization is currently entirely funded by private sources. The large pool of donations raised by Rainbow Railroad indicates that ​ the management team is capable of fundraising. This is particularly important for Rainbow Railroad as the ​ organization’s intervention requires consistent cash flow through the business to aid each individual. Rainbow Railroad is therefore working to generate revenue from existing and prospective funders/donors to build a robust ​ reserve of funds that is available throughout the year and will enable the team to take action quickly when required, as well as provide financial support to more individuals each year.

Key Risks

Risk Risk Factor Probability Mitigating Factor It is difficult to track the Can be mitigated if Rainbow ​ Rainbow RailRoad does post-travel standard of life of Railroad agrees to begin tracking ​ Medium ​ not track outcomes* individuals helped by Rainbow and reporting these outcomes to ​ Railroad UI Rainbow Railroad have been ​ able to offer temporary The travel restrictions from in-country support through COVID do not allow Rainbow Effect of COVID-19 ​ High partnerships with agencies on Railroad to execute their ​ the ground or with direct intervention short-term financial support

Rainbow Railroad offers ​ post-travel financial support to The work that Rainbow ease the transition into a new Railroad engages in can often environment. Furthermore, the lead to economic struggles Negative impact Medium identity of the clients are kept caused by relocation, anonymous when necessary and xenophobia, racism and the smart cyber security and scrutiny of local governments logistics are used to protect at risk individuals.

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*Although Rainbow Railroad has information on their website about some individuals that have successfully been ​ ​ ​ relocated, they do not provide detailed insights into the post-travel standard of life of these individuals. As such, it is difficult to evaluate the impact of the intervention and argue for its merits. To mitigate this risk, Rainbow Railroad ​ should track and report on these outcomes. Recent conversations with the Rainbow Railroad team suggest that this ​ ​ is something that the organization would be interested in tracking, and UI is working closely with the team to help them flesh out an outcome-tracking framework. However, it is currently too early to confirm a commitment from their end.

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Appendix:

Rainbow Railroad’s management team

Kimahli Powell, Executive Director: Kimahli has a wide range of experience in the nonprofit sector and has spent ​ over 15 years advocating for social justice, youth, arts and culture. Prior to Rainbow Railroad, he held Director level positions at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Dignitas International, the Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival and the YMCA. Kimahli has a Bachelor degree in Political Science from the University of Ottawa and holds a CFRE ​ designation. In June, 2019, Kimahli was included in Out Magazine’s Out 100 listing of influential LGBT people and in ​ November received an honorary doctorate of law from the University of Victoria.

Winnie Luk, Managing Director: Prior to joining Rainbow Railroad, Winnie was the Director of Operations and ​ ​ ​ Events for Inside Out, presenter of the annual Toronto and Ottawa LGBT Film Festivals. She was with Inside Out for 16 fabulous years. Prior to that, Winnie worked with the City of Toronto for eight years. She is also a shareholder of the Glad Day Bookshop, the world’s oldest LGBTQ bookstore. Winnie graduated from the University of Toronto with a double major in Semiotics and Communications and Women Studies, and a minor in Cinema Studies.

Devon Matthews, Manager of Programs: Devon comes to Rainbow Railroad after recent experience as the Manager ​ ​ ​ of Fellowship Programs at Engineers without Borders Canada, where her work involved the strategic oversight and execution of four programs based in sub-Saharan Africa. Devon brings with her years of experience in facilitation, activism, coaching, immigrant services, participatory research, and non-profit fundraising. Devon holds numerous professional certifications in project management, social systems leadership, and professional coaching. As well, she also holds a BA (honors) from Dalhousie University where she specialized in International Development.

Nancy Bennett, Interim Director of Development: Nancy has worked and volunteered in the social profit sector for ​ 30 years, including eight years as Vice President of Philanthropy at the Daily Bread Food Bank and four years as Director of Development, Marketing & Communications at the Child Development Institute. In addition, Nancy has served as Executive Director at several non-profit organizations, including the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society.

Sandi Baker, Manager of Finance: Sandi comes to Rainbow Railroad after more than 15 years providing finance and ​ accounting at nonprofits, including the African Canadian Legal Clinic. She’s proud to be a part of the team at Rainbow Railroad, working with a group of individuals that are passionate, caring and dedicated to helping others.

Analysis of competitive landscape: Global organizations supporting LGBTQI+ asylum seekers

Multiple organizations offer relocation and support services similar to Rainbow Railroad. The Freedom House ​ ​ ​ Dignity for All program offers short-term financial support to human rights defenders and civil society organizations

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who face emergency situations. This can include temporary relocation services. This work is achieved through The Dignity Consortium, which is operated and run by multiple organizations focusing on Human rights. The Emergency Response within The Dignity Consortium specifically helps “LGBTQ activists under threat to escape danger by moving to safer cities, management of risk, securing funds for immediate services required such as assigning lawyers and checking into hospitals and in cases of extreme violent threats, LGBTQ rights’ activists would be guided to relocation until it is safe for them to return to their homes.”

The Dignity for All program is an assistance program which provides emergency assistance; security, opportunity, and advocacy rapid response grants and security assessment and training to human rights defenders, and civil society organizations under threat or attack due to their work on LGBTQI+ rights, it is made up of the following organizations:

● Freedom House (Global) - promotes democratic change and promotes human rights through a variety of ​ initiatives focused on 13 central issues ● Akahatá (Latin America) - focuses on the promotion of sexual and reproductive rights in international spaces ​ and on strengthening sexual rights in the LATAM region ● Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality (Middle East & North Africa) - founded in 2009, A.F.E. supports sexual health, sexuality gender and bodily rights movements through capacity building, knowledge production, protection and advocacy. ● CREA (South and Central Asia) - this feminist organization promotes, protects, and advances human and ​ sexual rights and the sexual rights through building leadership; strengthening organizations and social movements; knowledge and resource-sharing; and enabling supportive social and policy environments. ) ● Synergia (Global) ​ ​ ​ ● ILGA Europe (Europe) - working towards full equality and human rights for LGBTI+ people, for example by ​ countering growing levels of homophobia in Poland ● OutRight International (Global) -works at the international, regional and national levels to research, document, defend, and advance human rights for LGBTIQ people around the world. They have staff in sex countries and are a registered 501c3 non-profit in the US, EIN: 94-3139952 ● UHAI (East Africa) - an indigenous activist fund supporting sexual and gender minorities and sex worker ​ human rights. They have “funded critical court challenges that overturned repressive laws, resourced pioneering community-led HIV clinics, and supported communities to document their lives, organising and advocacy.” Based in Nairobi since 2009, they fund activists organising in 7 countries—Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda—and Pan-African organisations working across the continent.

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Organizations supporting LGBTQI+ asylum seekers in the UK

● The UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) - promotes equality and dignity for LGBTQI+ people ​ ​ who seek asylum in the UK, or who wish to settle there to be with their partners. ● Micro Rainbow International- tackles poverty and promote integration of LGBTI+ refugees in the UK. ​ ● Rainbows Across Borders - is a volunteer-led group for LGBT asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution of oppressive homophobic/transphobic regimes based in Croydon. ● Outcome is Islington Mind’s LGBTQ+ service - Their project, Freedom from Fear to Love, offers people seeking asylum an individual support package based on a personalised needs assessment, offering support with the challenges of settling in the UK, including companion support to critical appointments, such as home office interviews, hearings, and health related appointments. ● African Rainbow Family (ARF) - a not-for-profit organisation that support LGBTQI+ people of African heritage. ● Right to Remain - work with communities, groups and organisations across the UK, providing information, resources, training and assistance to help people to establish their right to remain, and to challenge injustice in the immigration and asylum system.

A full list of resources and organisations of this nature in the UK (including faith-based support groups) can be found here. ​ Organizations supporting LGBTQI+ asylum seekers in the US and Canada

● LGBT Asylum Task Force is a ministry of Hadwen Park Church and a community-based organization dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQI individuals who are seeking asylum in the United States. They provide housing and financial support while applicants are given a work permit and social security number. ● International Railroad for Queen Refugees (IRQR) is a registered charity in Canada with registration number 848606067RR0001 providing financial and resettlement assistance to LGBT refugees in Turkey who have fled because of persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identification. ● Immigration Equality is one of America’s leading LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrant rights organizations. They work to secure safe haven for individuals and families through direct legal services, policy advocacy, and impact litigation, and advocate for immigrants and families facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. ● LGBT Foundation provides a wide range of services to reduce isolation amongst the LGBTQI+ community, help people feel more confident and in control of their lives, and enable people to flourish.

Most organizations do not publish costs of relocation support for LGBTQI+ individuals, making it difficult to establish a competitive rate or range of rates for this type of support.

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