Gay Community Endowment Fund grantees discuss current issues

In April, the Gay Community Endowment Fund Advisory Board invited grant recipients from the last few years to meet and discuss pressing issues.

GCEF Chair Dr. Kate Raymond warmly welcomed board members and representatives from 15 nonprofits to Akron Community Foundation's office before speaking about the importance of each organization's work in the community.

"We know how to do this work. We do it together, and we will continue to do this work together," said Dr. Raymond. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to have a night like this, where we can come together as a community and know that we are still doing this work and that our work matters. We are a community – a resilient, strong, beautiful, proud, inclusive community."

Supporting the Arts

Taylor Clapp, a two-time grant recipient and the founder of The Groundhog Show, shared how this year's grant will allow her to pay curators and artists. In the future, she plans to branch out and include other art forms, in addition to the visual artists she has featured in the past.

Francine Parr from the Akron Civic Theatre was in attendance to represent the Millennial Theatre Project, a longtime GCEF grant recipient. "We touch all generations of people through acting and theater. We bring all walks of life together to create art," Parr said.

Uplifting LGBTQ+ Youth

Gary DiBianca, the GLSEN Northeast Ohio co-chair, shared how grants from GCEF have allowed the organization to expand its annual youth conference over the past few years. Last year's conference, hosted at Kent State University, was attended by about 250 students.

This year has brought new challenges to GLSEN and the schools it works with. As a result of new and proposed legislation, volunteers are focused on educating teachers and staff about laws that may impact classrooms and extracurricular activities.

Lindsay Barba from Akron Children's Foundation thanked the fund for supporting the Center for Gender-Affirming Medicine since it was created five years ago. A $3,000 microgrant will allow the center to continue programming for a parent support group and provide additional support for low-income patients.

Barba also shared that the center is considering new programming in 2025. "We're also looking this year to hold some community events for our families to create stronger social connections within the patients and families we serve and make sure they have trusted bonds they need to grow and thrive."

Housing for All

Shana Miller, Summit County Continuum of Care's interim executive director, expressed her gratitude for a $7,500 impact grant that will provide safe housing and support systems for LGBTQ+ youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness. She shared that 40% of American youth experiencing homelessness (defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as young adults age 18-24) self-identify as LGBTQ+. Miller explained that SCCOC is focused on ensuring that housing program staff members are trained to create an inclusive, inviting and responsive environment.  

A Sense of Community

Each person in attendance took a few minutes to share how a grant from GCEF has impacted their organization. While many expressed frustration about evolving attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community, nonprofit representatives and GCEF board members empathized. Several people said they left that night with new connections and a renewed feeling of hope in the power of community partnerships and a shared sense of support.