QWELL Community Foundation

QWELL Community Foundation emerged from conversations among Greater Austin's LGBTQIA+ leaders and residents who recognized that Austin—home to the nation's third-largest LGBTQIA+ population per capita—lacked essential community infrastructure and affirming resources. Founded on the mission to cultivate an LGBTQIA+ culture of health and self-actualization in Austin, TX, QWELL was shaped by input from dozens of organizations and hundreds of community members who envisioned a deeper support system. The foundation's three core goals reflect its commitment to engagement, connection, and partnership: engaging every LGBTQIA+ and ally person across differences in age, race, gender, class, and orientation; connecting each community member with resources to improve their wellbeing; and supporting partner LGBTQIA+ organizations and businesses to grow and meet community needs. QWELL's work is rooted in authentic community voices—more than 8,000 LGBTQIA+ residents have participated in annual wellbeing surveys revealing critical insights about mental health concerns, healthcare discrimination, and social isolation. The foundation addresses the social determinants of health that shape LGBTQIA+ life outcomes, recognizing that discrimination in housing, employment, and healthcare directly impacts wellbeing. With over 5,000 volunteers already engaged through initiatives like the Courage Community Dinners and FreePrideFlag movement, QWELL is building a grassroots movement to make Greater Austin the best place in the world for LGBTQIA+ people to live, love, learn, work, and play.