Feb. 6, 2008 - Media Advisory
DVLF Pioneers Three Grant Initiatives with Collaborative Partners

Media Contact: Perry Monastero, Executive Director, Delaware Valley Legacy Fund
Contact: 215.563.6417, ext 117 or pmonastero@philafound.org

Philadelphia, PA

The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund announced three new grant initiatives today with both local and national funding partners including the Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues, New Hope Celebrates, and the Liberty Gay Rodeo Association. All three funding initiatives for capacity-building are the result from long-standing collaborations and developments with the boards and staff from the four organizations. Each grantmaking initiative serves a different set of organizations, dependent on the guidelines as developed by wide representation of the community. Grant applications can be acquired via email and the Internet. Funding for several grants ranging in size of $250 to $5,000 is available to both grassroots and organizations with staff.

The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund (DVLF) is pooling interest from the LGBT community endowment with its three grantmaking partners to improve funding available to organizations. The applications were designed to be nearly identical to increase access and streamline efforts. Many organizations are qualified to apply for two or possibly all three grantmaking initiatives.

The applications were developed by DVLF’s Outreach and Grantmaking Committee with input and design from community activists, philanthropists, nonprofit agency leaders, consultants, volunteers, and board leaders.

Dee Wellmon, DVLF Board member and Outreach and Grantmaking Committee co-chair, said “Our peers at New Hope Celebrates, the Liberty Gay Rodeo Association, and Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues are making an extraordinary impact by creating new vehicles for change. Each group is taking outstanding steps to increase philanthropy from nontraditional sources.”

The Liberty Gay Rodeo Association, one of the largest regional LGBT sports organizations, and a member of the International Gay Rodeo Association, will hold its first annual Rodeo at the Devon Horse Show Grounds on May 9 - 11, 2008. This event, “designed for the cowboy in all of you, will serve two important goals,” said board member Jeff Sotland. He continued, “The short-term focus of our event is to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive environment to allow the LGBT community to create and carry forth a rodeo event that will be used to measure all future rodeo events. The long-term goal is to provide a legacy for the LGBT and rodeo communities. We are committed to investing in our community and for that reason we have forged an alliance with the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund to create the best possible avenue for investment.”

Liberty Gay Rodeo Association President Jen Vrana said, “While many Gay Rodeo organizations across the country undertake charity work, charitable donations, and investment into their communities, the relationship with Delaware Valley Legacy Fund is the first alliance of its kind to provide unprecedented support to our organization by one of the most pro-active and committed LGBT philanthropic organizations in the country.”

New Hope Celebrates, Bucks County’s premier gay pride organization, announced the 5th annual celebration, scheduled for Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18, 2008. Daniel Brooks, New Hope Celebrates President and proprietor of the Wishing Well Guesthouse anticipates an overall atmosphere of a country fair that “just happens to be run by gay folks,” with the whole town participating: “While it is a GLBT pride occasion, part of the pride is of its inclusiveness.”

“In addition to throwing a great party, we raise money to support organizations that assist people in finding the educational, financial, and emotional support they need to live healthy lives,” explains Ed White, New Hope Celebrates outgoing Treasurer and proprietor of The Lexington House Bed and Breakfast.

New Hope Celebrates grantmaking committee member Tom Moore said, “We want to conduct the decision making process in a transparent, careful, and thoughtful manner. Smaller, grassroots organizations are also encouraged to seek funds. New Hope Celebrates joins the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund in its commitment to garnering many applications from both small community groups and established organizations.”

DVLF is among the first of community foundations across the country implementing a new funding focus called the Racial Equity Initiative. Through the Racial Equity Initiative, DVLF has dedicated $101,000 in funding over a three-year period to support groups that serve LGBTQ people of color. DVLF Board member and Dee Wellmon’s co-chair, Craig Alston, said “we think it is our responsibility to do what we can to support organizations that could have challenging difficulties to get funding without having all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed, particularly with organizations that are just getting started out. The need is great because these organizations support people who would otherwise have nowhere to go for self-expression or to gain support for their visions.”

According to research from Funders of Lesbian and Gay Issues, communities of color received only 9% of all LGBTQI dollars granted by U.S. foundations, totaling $5.8 million and 234 grants. The Racial Equity Initiative was created to augment support for queer people of color by building the capacity of their organizations and to improve foundation practices to repair racial inequities. DVLF is joining the three-year, $15 million campaign as a Racial Equity Initiative funder.

DVLF President, Dorothy Wax added, “I am proud to be a part of the Racial Equity Initiative to engage organizations that have not traditionally had the same voice as other LGBT groups. It is vital that we hear from and represent all aspects of our community, particularly in the diverse climate of the Delaware Valley. We look forward to working with those who have been under-represented, helping to make their organizations stronger and increasing their community impact.”

Ernie Bowers, grantmaking leader for the Liberty Gay Rodeo Association added, “I'm proud to be a part of the Liberty Gay Rodeo Association Grantmaking Partnership with DVLF and its purpose of giving back. Though we have come a long way in terms of rights and exposure, GLBT brothers and sisters still have a long road ahead. And there is no greater satisfaction than being able to help other organizations. This is the most fun time this side of the ranch!"

What is DVLF? DVLF Builds Community by Advancing Philanthropy

The Delaware Valley Legacy Fund's mission is to raise the permanent endowment for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI), and straight-allied communities. DVLF supports community organizations through grants, marketing, fundraising, technical assistance, and planned giving trainings.

Feb. 6, 2008 - by Jeff Sotland

The Liberty Gay Rodeo Association, one of the largest LGBT sports organizations in Philadelphia, and a member of the International Gay Rodeo Association, will be holiding its first annual Rodeo at the Devon Horse Show Grounds on May 9 - 11, 2008. This event, designed for the cowboy in all of you, will serve two important goals. The short term focus of our event is to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for this event to allow the LGBT to create and carry forth a rodeo event that will be used to measure all future rodeo events. The long term goal is to provide a legacy for the LGBT and rodeo community. We are committed to investing in our community and, for that reason, we have forged an alliance with the Delaware Valley Legacy Fund to create the best possible avenue for investment.

While many Gay Rodeo organizations across the country have undertaken charity work, charitable donations, and investment into their communities, the relationship with Delaware Valley Legacy Fund is the first alliance of its kind to provide unprecedented support to our organization by one of the most pro-active and committed LGBT philanthropic organizations in the country.