Victory Institute

The Victory Institute was created in 1993 by LGBTQ activists and philanthropists who saw a need to train LGBTQ candidates to run for government across the country. With less than 50 openly LGBTQ elected officials at any level of government in the United States, our founders recognised that increasing our numbers in public service would be critical to promoting equality. 

They realised the need to teach more LGBTQ persons to run for government and to assist them once they were elected when they founded Victory Institute. The Foundation has begun educating future candidates and campaign workers in order to assist LGBTQ leaders in pursuing careers in government. The Foundation also initiates a Presidential Appointments Project, with Roberta Achtenberg becoming the first out LGBTQ presidential appointee to a Senate-confirmed position when she is appointed Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.