A message from GCEF's board chair: Reasons to celebrate
I think we can finally say it: Happy spring, everyone! There is enough madness in the world today, so I'd like to take this opportunity to share some joy with you.
The Gay Community Endowment Fund (GCEF) wrapped up 2024 with another fabulously successful Sugar Plum Tour that earned the fund an estimated $112,000! Thank you to the homeowner heroes and spectacular sponsors for making this the best Sugar Plum Tour yet! We followed the live tour with a Patron Party that was beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you to the Paparellas for generously opening their home to us. What a way to ring in the season!
Our board reconvened in January to perform our favorite and most important function: choosing how to distribute $80,500 in available grant money! We read many impassioned grant applications from so many amazing LGBTQ+ community organizations, and while we always wish we could fund everyone, we are confident we chose to impact some exceptional projects.
There are so many good people in Greater Akron working day in and day out to serve our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters in myriad ways. The GCEF board got the chance to meet some of these everyday heroes when we hosted a grantee networking event in early April. My favorite part of the evening was listening to all the inspiring stories told by people still full of hope and faith, despite the current challenges all around us. They represent the world I want to live in and will continue to fight for.
On June 6, during Pride month, we will once again come together for exhALE, our 24th annual gathering to acknowledge our fund's supporters, scholarship recipients, Paul Daum award recipient (congratulations to the Akron Pride Steering Committee!) and our grantees. There is so much to celebrate and so many people, right here in Akron, who seek a better, more equitable and just world. I hope you'll consider buying a ticket to join us, or better yet, becoming a sponsor to elevate your impact on our community. We are greater together!
See you in June!
Dr. Kate Raymond
Gay Community Endowment Fund Chair