SEATTLE - On Thursday, November 13, Pride Foundation announced that it has awarded $303,775 to 56 organizations that support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) youth, adults, and families in the Northwest. In Washington State, 32 organizations received funding - totaling $175,000.

Despite the surge in marriage equality victories across the country, and progress in Washington to provide inclusive healthcare coverage for Transgender people, LGBTQ people still face heightened risks of hate crimes, poverty, homelessness, discrimination, bullying, HIV infection, and mistreatment in social and human services. In fact just this year, Seattle was listed as having the third highest rate of anti-LGBT hate crimes in the country.

By directing resources to those who remain most invisible and vulnerable despite recent progress, Pride Foundation's community grants program is making an important statement about the work that lies ahead and the continued need in the LGBTQ community.

'Our grantees reflect the diversity of our community, and the breadth of issues affecting LGBTQ people throughout their lives,' said Kris Hermanns, Executive Director of Pride Foundation. 'When viewed collectively, these investments paint a comprehensive picture of the road ahead - from safe schools, to workplace equality, to culturally-competent healthcare and social services, to food and housing security, to elder care.'

Grantees in Washington will be working to reduce barriers faced in rural communities, and other priorities include youth, people of color, Transgender people, and elders.

HIGHLIGHTS from Pride Foundation's 2014 Washington grants include:
Entre Hermanos (Seattle): $7,500 to support Mujeres Diversas, the Women's Program of Entre Hermanos. The program is a resource and unique space for LBTQ Latinas in Seattle, offering a culturally appropriate environment in which young LBTQ Latinas (18-24) share their challenges and resiliencies.

Gender Justice League (Seattle): $10,000 to support Gender Justice League's work to empower Transgender activists and allies to fight oppression based on gender identity and sexuality in Washington state and to create a community where Transgender people can live their lives safely, true to themselves, and free of discrimination.

Northwest Youth Services (Bellingham): $4,000 to support a training for Skagit County professionals who work with young people to identify, prevent and/or intervene in LGBTQ youth homelessness/housing instability.

Pizza Klatch (Lacey, WA): $5,000 to support Pizza Klatch - an organization offering weekly lunchtime support groups for LGBTQQIA and allies in Thurston County - in building its infrastructure to support increasing program demands, with the goal of solidifying operations and perfecting the support experience provided to LGBTQ students.

Spokane AIDS Network (Spokane): $7,500 to help provide transportation, housing, food, and other supportive services to HIV positive people living throughout 20 counties of Eastern Washington.

This year's grantees include LGBTQ organizations as well as mainstream organizations providing programming and services specifically to the LGBTQ population. LGBTQ issues only receive 0.26% of total foundation dollars (26 cents for every $100 dollars), making Pride Foundation's work even more critical.

In addition to their community grants program, Pride Foundation also makes investments in LGBTQ youth, adults, and families through a scholarship program, donor-advised, and donor-designated funds. In total, the foundation has invested nearly $7.1 million this year to support LGBTQ people in their home communities.

'In all that we do, we are focusing our resources and grant dollars on bridging the gap between legal victories and the ability for all LGBTQ people to be who they are, where they are,' said Hermanns. 'We are honored to partner with wonderful organizations and individuals throughout our region and country that share our values and hopes for our community.'

The full list of Pride Foundation grantees and project descriptions is available at www.pridefoundation.org/grantees.

Pride Foundation is a regional community foundation that inspires giving to expand opportunities and advance full equality for LGBTQ people across the Northwest. Learn more at www.pridefoundation.org.

Courtesy of the Pride Foundation

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