Submitted by Diana Harford
WILTON MANORS — The LGBTQ+ Social Justice & Equity Funders Collaborative, a unique collaboration between The Our Fund Foundation and the Community Foundation of Broward, granted eight non-profit organizations a total of $250,000 in support of innovative initiatives supporting social equity and the civil liberties of LGBTQ+ residents of Broward County.
Formed in 2022 by the two respected foundations with the goal of creating a more informed and empathetic environment for the LGBTQ+ population, the strategic partnership combines critical philanthropic resources and expertise for the benefit of the LGBTQ+ community and all residents of Broward County.
“This is a distressing time for all of us, not just those who identify as LGBTQ+,” said David Jobin, president and CEO of The Our Fund Foundation. “With our state and national politicians launching hateful attacks against the gay community and vowing to repeal our basic civil liberties, it is critical to the well-being of all Broward residents that we work collectively to end discrimination against all people.”
The Our Fund Foundation and the Community Foundation of Broward celebrated the donors and recipients during a grant reception hosted at The Our Fund Foundation’s headquarters in Wilton Manors on April 4.
“For nearly four decades, support for LGBTQ+ residents has been integral to the Community Foundation’s work to champion diversity, equity and inclusion in Broward. This must be a place where everyone feels welcome and has a real opportunity to thrive,” said Community Foundation President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D.
Each nonprofit grantee was thoroughly vetted by a joint selection committee and received between $29,000 – $50,000.
2023 LGBTQ+ Social Justice & Equity Funders Collaborative Grant Recipients Include:
Equality Florida – Safe & Healthy Schools in Broward
LGBTQ+ students are under attack. Equality Florida convenes, trains, and mobilizes grassroots support to protect and preserve two decades of progress for LGBTQ+ students.
YES Institute – Inclusive Futures in Broward County
Dedicated to preventing bullying and youth suicide, the YES Institute will conduct more than 35 trainings on gender, orientation, race/ethnicity and communication to over 450 youth and adults.
American Civil Liberties Union – Ensuring Healthcare & Education Without Erasure for LGBTQ+ People in Broward and Beyond
Through litigation and advocacy, the ACLU will help ensure access to life-saving medical care and education without erasure for LGBTQ+ people in Broward.
Barry University – Project Transcend- Transcending Disinformation & Bias to Protect Trans Health Care in Broward County
Project Transcend addresses threats to gender affirming care for transgender/non-binary people through evidence-informed, affirmative virtual and face-to-face training for Broward medical providers.
Hued Songs – Building Belonging: An Artist Residency for Change
Building Belonging is a social justice project that establishes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), queer artists in communities with the goal of fostering an atmosphere of belonging and empathy.
Museum of Discovery and Science – MODS Inclusivity Initiative
MODS will support the LGBTQ+ community through inclusive training and community engagement that builds bridges of understanding among all people.
Ujima Men’s Collective – BROTHAS Project
The BROTHAS Project is designed to educate, empower, and inform Black same-gender loving men in South Florida about social injustice in our community.
World AIDS Museum and Educational Center – Fighting Stigma and Building Community Through the Arts
The purpose of this award is the expansion of this successful program promoting dialogue and to eliminate HIV/AIDS stigma through education, artistic expression, and cultural programming.
