Double Your Impact on Advancing LGBTQ Equity

Since its founding in 2010, the LGBT Community Fund at The Chicago Community Trust has strategically supported nonprofit organizations that provide essential services to Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community.

Now, the Fund is offering a unique matching opportunity that means your donation can achieve even more.

Guided by the findings and recommendations of a Community Needs Assessment, first completed in 2012 and updated in 2019, the LGBT Community Fund has worked to address issues that members of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community themselves identify as the most critical: from affordable healthcare, housing and homelessness, to sustainable employment and community safety.

YOUR IMPACT: PROTECTING FAMILIES IN AN AGE OF DIVISION

Due to the support of the LGBT Community Fund, ALMA was able to pilot its Family Acceptance Project. As an organization we have learned that this cutting edge work has the potential to foster community transformation and healthy developmental outcomes of future generations of Latino children and youth.
This work comes at a time when many youth have voiced fear and concern over the breaking apart of families because of deportation of their parents, and fear of harassment and bullying because of homophobia, transphobia and anti-immigrant xenophobia. Stakeholders all across the city and nation are looking to ALMA to set a comprehensive response to the rolling back of progress on issues of LGBTQ equity and Latino political power, and this project serves as a direct response to these critical issues.”
—Association of Latinos/as Motivating Action (ALMA), Impact Grant recipient

Thanks to the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations who have pooled their resources for greater giving power through the Fund, over $1 million has been granted out. The Fund utilizes a “venture capital” fundraising model, reinvesting nearly every dollar raised in programs: from small, emerging organizations to partnerships providing greater reach and impact.

To continue its grant making, the LGBT Community Fund is working to raise $1.5 million by 2020. To date, almost $1.2 million has been committed. And now, two special challenge grants have been offered to help cross the finish line:

• The Efroymson-Hamid Challenge inspires new donors to the LGBT Fund by matching all gifts up to $5,000 from new donors until we reach $50,000. This opportunity is made possible by support from the Efroymson Family Fund.
• The O’Keefe Challenge inspires continued support from previous donors to the LGBT Fund by matching renewed gifts up to $5,000 until we reach $50,000. This opportunity is made possible by support from Steering Committee Co-Chair Ken O’Keefe and Jason Stephens.

Whether you’re a first-time or a returning donor, you can make your gift online and take this opportunity to double your impact.

YOUR IMPACT: ENSURING DIGNITY AND INCLUSION FOR ELDERS

Thanks to a grant from the LGBT Community Fund, the Welcoming LGBTQ+ Seniors at H.O.M.E. initiative helped H.O.M.E. prepare a compassionate, competent staff that is equipped to meet the needs of the large and growing LGBTQ+ aging population in Chicago.
Many aging providers do not consider the unique needs of LGBTQ+ seniors, leaving them at risk for isolation and discrimination. Offering and promoting LGBTQ+-inclusive services has increased the likelihood that LGBTQ+ elders will seek the services that they need without fear of discrimination or having to hide part of their identity.”
—Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly (HOME), Community Grant recipient

The LGBT Community Fund envisions a region where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender residents live responsibly in harmony with all communities, enjoying the same freedoms and quality of life, and with the same opportunity to make the region a better and safer place for all to live. While significant progress has been made, we must do more to create a fair, just and inclusive environment in Chicago.

Please join us today and double the impact of your gift.