Trust in Relationships

When I look back over the lifespan of the David Bohnett Foundation—now, almost unbelievably, 25 years—I see much that contributed to its success. Building a strong team from the beginning was key, as was the unwavering commitment to improving lives across a broad spectrum of society.
We had the freedom that comes from not yet knowing the myriad of obstacles and challenges ahead. Some might call it optimism or a tolerance for risk. But in those early days—just as when I started GeoCities—I wasn’t following a master plan. I was following instinct, conviction, and a belief that if I invested in people and ideas I truly believed in, something meaningful would emerge. And, thankfully, it did.

So far, things have largely worked out for the best. Had I known more about the philanthropic norms or obstacles that lay ahead, we might not have ended up with a Foundation as unique and ambitious as the one we are celebrating today. So much so, our impact has earned us a spot on TIME Magazine’s inaugural 2025 TIME 100 Philanthropy list of the 100 most influential leaders in philanthropy.

While I didn’t have much of a map back when I first got started, I did have a few things going for me that pointed the Foundation in very much the right direction. The Foundation came about in the wake of a decade of personal activism during the 1980s movement for LGBTQ rights, a time in my life defined by profound relationships, painful loss, and a deep commitment to social issues. This commitment led me to the Foundation’s mission, improving society through social activism, and provided the backbone of our core giving areas—LGBTQ causes, gun violence prevention, animal rights activism, leadership development, and support for civic life and participation.

Early on, I leaned heavily on people I trusted, including friends and peers within the activist community who formed the advisory board still in place today. Their support and guidance led us to a North Star for the Foundation—a steadfast belief in people and the power of relationships.

Michael Fleming, our Founding Executive Director and current President, likes to say, “Relationships are primary. Everything else is secondary.” He and Executive Director Paul Moore have built this philosophy into a philanthropic practice that guides our grantmaking and programs, including ever-growing support for community leaders and communal spaces.

Trust in people can yield tremendous impact on even the most difficult societal problems. This lesson, among others, shines through in this report. We hope it helps those who share our challenges and conveys our deep appreciation for everyone we’ve worked alongside.

Thank you for being part of this journey. As naive as I may have been when I first set out on it, I had the good sense to surround myself with all of you, and for that I’m forever grateful.

Sincerely,
David C. Bohnett