About
Rainbow Railroad is an international human rights organization that creates pathways to safety for LGBTQI+ people facing persecution around the world. Rainbow Railroad USA Inc, based in New York, is the organization's registered U.S. 501(c)(3) entity, operating alongside its registered Canadian counterpart. The organization helps at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals who face violence and persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics access lives free from persecution.
Mission
Rainbow Railroad helps at-risk LGBTQI+ people facing persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics access lives free from persecution.
What they do
Rainbow Railroad's work spans six core areas:
- International travel and resettlement services for people who need to escape state-sponsored or community violence
- Post-settlement community support for those who have relocated
- Cash assistance for urgent needs
- Grassroots mobilization funding for local LGBTQI+ organizations
- Information services and referrals
- Advocacy for systemic policy change
History
Rainbow Railroad was founded in 2006 as a volunteer-run organization by LGBTQI+ activists and human rights defenders. The organization received U.S. charitable status in 2015, when Rainbow Railroad USA Inc was granted its IRS 501(c)(3) tax exemption.
Scale and impact
According to the organization, since 2006 it has received 77,264 requests for help and has supported over 45,000 LGBTQI+ individuals across all of its programs, including 2,397 people successfully relocated to safety. In 2026 alone, it received 4,045 requests for help between January 1 and the time of publication.
Financials
Per IRS filings summarized by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Rainbow Railroad USA Inc (EIN 47-4896980) reported total revenue of 3,691,209 dollars, total expenses of 3,948,674 dollars, and total assets of 3,320,210 dollars for fiscal year 2025.
Governance
Rainbow Railroad maintains separate registered entities in Canada (Charitable Registration No. 827142530RR0001) and the United States (EIN 47-4896980), overseen by a Board of Directors. The executive team is led by CEO Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, alongside Chief Programs Officer Devon Matthews, Chief Communications and Advocacy Officer Latoya Nugent, Chief Impact Officer Rabab Al-Khatib, Chief Development Officer Anthony Mercurio, and Chief Operating Officer Siu Mee Cheng.
