Awards $507,000 to organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington

SEATTLE - [On November 14], the Pride Foundation announced $507,000 in grants to 81 organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington - investing vital resources into local organizations working to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people and their families can live fully and safely in their home communities.

This year's award amount is the highest community grants funding total in Pride Foundation history and comes at a time when LGBTQ communities are facing enormous challenges and opportunities at local, state, and federal levels.

Here are a few highlights of the remarkable grant recipients:

o Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic R.E.C. Room (Homer, Alaska): For addressing the needs of LGBTQ youth, adults, and families on the southern Kenai Peninsula, including strengthening their peer-taught sexual health and wellness programs for grades 7-12, both in-house and community-based youth programs.

o North Idaho Pride Alliance (Post Falls, Idaho): For creating a resource referral network -especially for LGBTQ youth and seniors in North Idaho - including developing education and training programs for mental health services, health care, and senior services providers.

o Salish Kootenai College (SKC) - Spirit of Many Colors Gay Straight Alliance (Pablo, Montana): For developing and implementing leadership training for LGBTQA and Two Spirit students to support them as they take on more visible roles on the SKC campus and across the Flathead Reservation.

o Immigration Counseling Service (Portland and Hood River, Oregon): For the expansion of legal support for LGBTQ immigrants who are vulnerable to deportation and for expanding outreach for 'immigration law 101' trainings within the LGBTQ community in Oregon and southwestern Washington.

o Blue Mountain Heart to Heart (Walla Walla, Washington): For HIV and hepatitis C prevention programs, outreach, and testing services stretching across Eastern and southeastern Washington, and into Oregon.

o Queer the Land (Seattle, Washington): For strengthening the organization's capacity, as it works to develop an LGBTQ people of color-led cooperative network, community center, and transitional housing space.

Read a complete list of grantees [at https://www.pridefoundation.org/what-we-do/grants/grantees].

'The number of organizations engaged in critical life-saving and life-affirming work is truly inspiring,' said Kris Hermanns, the Pride Foundation's chief executive officer. 'Today, and since 1985, the Pride Foundation and its partners are committed to supporting and growing this movement - a grassroots movement based in love, courage, and empowering people to be their full selves.'

In addition to these community grants, the Pride Foundation awarded a total of nearly $850,000 to impactful organizations and student leaders in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington in 2017 through [its] scholarship program, sponsorships, Rapid Response Fund, and Donor Advised Grants.

Since the foundation began in 1985, the Pride Foundation has awarded more than $70 million to promote the safety, health, and well-being of LGBTQ individuals and families across the Northwest region - with a focus on those who are most impacted by disparities and inequities.

The press and members of the public can learn more about year-end events taking place around the region [at https://www.pridefoundation.org/2017yearendcelebrations]. [The Pride Foundation invites you to celebrate] their accomplishments and important work, which is sparking lasting change across our communities.

Founded in 1985, the Pride Foundation is a regional community foundation serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Its mission is to inspire giving to expand opportunities and advance full equality for LGBTQ people in the Northwest. Learn more at www.pridefoundation.org.

Courtesy of the Pride Foundation

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