The LGBTQ Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham announced a record $47,800 in grants awarded to 12 area nonprofits. Since 2016, the LGBTQ Fund has provided more than $190,000 to support programs in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount, and Walker counties. During this grant cycle, the fund elevated proposals that focused on:
- Strengthening the infrastructure of organizations led by or serving LGBTQ persons
- Supporting the provision of services to LGBTQ youth, individuals and families
- Providing educational opportunities that highlight the needs of the LGBTQ community
- Advancing collaboration between LGBTQ organizations and other community organizations
- Supporting nonprofit partners advocating on public policy and social justice issues that intersect with LGBTQ concerns
“We are excited to provide another reason for celebration during PRIDE month,” said Katherine Bland, Chair of the LGBTQ Fund’s Grants Committee. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors we were able to maximize the Matching Grant from the Funders of LGBTQ Issues’ Out in the South Initiative. With these funds, we are able to support the organizations that are providing valuable services to the LGBTQ community. These grants will help them expand and further their critical missions.”
Established in 2016, the LGBTQ Fund is a component fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. The Fund is stewarded by the Community Foundation and guided by the LGBTQ Fund Advisory Committee The 2021 grantees were selected by the LGBTQ Fund’s Grants Committee, which was the largest and most diverse in it’s history. The 2021 Grants Committee members were Carmarian Anderson-Harvey, Katherine Bland, Rachelle Burrow, Reverend JR Finney, Dori Miles, Jay Murray, Cody Ramiriz, Patrick Scarborough, Jacob Smith, Elaine Stephens, Genie Taylor, George Taylor and Carols Torres.