10:00, 10 July 2026
Words by Abi Scaife, Staff Writer, London
Originally a technology entrepreneur who set up the social networking site GeoCities in 1994, David Bohnett turned his attention to philanthropy and activism at the turn of the century.
Since then, Bohnett has supported a huge variety of causes, including the arts, education, and various civic programmes, through his non-profit, the David Bohnett Foundation. The Foundation mission statement is to improve society through social activism, which they do through programmes and grants funding other non-profits.
With David Bohnett being based in Los Angeles, USA, he also uses his Foundation to support work ongoing to improve the lives of those living and working in the city, in particular supporting in the areas of arts, culture and civic life.
Despite all that he supports, David Bohnett is perhaps best known for his unwavering support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Because of his work supporting the LGBTQ+ community, in 2024 David Bohnett was honoured with the LGBTQ Community Trailblazer Award from CenterLink, where he reaffirmed his dedication to the community.
“Let us continue to fight for a future where every person can live with dignity, love, and belonging,” said David, when accepting his award. “You are all leaders who have the responsibility and capacity to spark change, to heal divides, and to foster a world where every person can live authentically and with pride.
“The work we do is not just for ourselves, but for the generations that will follow.”
One of the primary projects of the David Bohnett Foundation is the David Bohnett CyberCenters, combining Bohnett’s love of technology and passion for all that it can bring us with his deep support of the LGBTQ+ community.
There is a network of more than 60 David Bohnett CyberCenters based all over the United States of America, from Seattle to Miami and everywhere inbetween. The goal of these centres is to help the LGBTQ+ community find access to state of the art technology, whether that’s in the middle of a city or on their college campus.
“These centers are more than just spaces—they are lifelines, offering hope, support, and a sense of belonging for those who often feel isolated,” said David Bohnett, of the CyberCentres.
As well as being intrinsic to the LGBTQ+ philanthropy scene, the David Bohnett Foundation also works closely with organisations dedicated to ending gun violence in the USA. The Foundation has donated to non-profits like the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation, and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and has donated a total of $ 6,144,065 to date to stop what they call “the scourge” of Gun Violence.
The David Bohnett Foundation celebrated its 25 year anniversary in 2024, and above all, through this quarter of a century that Bohnett and his colleagues have been striving to make the world a better place, their unwavering belief in people and the possibility for a better world have shone through.
“Trust in people can yield tremendous impact on even the most difficult societal problems,” said David, in the David Bohnett Foundation 25 Year Report.
The David Bohnett Foundation has distributed grants totalling $140 million to various non-profits, including the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, The Wildlife Alliance, the ACLU Foundation, Equality California, and the David Bohnett Gay & Lesbian Leadership Fellows program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
The goal of these grants is to enable non-profits to continue their incredible work through funding and supporting their on the ground efforts.
The David Bohnett Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited grant applications, and those hoping for a grant from them must be invited to apply. Additionally, the David Bohnett Foundation only gives grants to those fitting within certain parameters, including being a US based organisation which operates within one of their planned giving arenas.
These are, the LGBTQ+ community, CyberCenters, Gun Violence Prevention, Leadership Initiatives, and Animal Language Research and Exploration.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Equality California. This nonprofit advances the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people through advocacy, education and policy reform across California. Find out more.
Stonewall. This UK charity campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality in schools, workplaces and public life, while supporting individuals to live free from discrimination. Find out more here.
Amnesty International UK. This is an international NGO focused on human rights. They work to expose abuse and injustice around the world. Support them here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Reduced Inequalities.
