Five local organizations will next week become the beneficiaries of a unique partnership between a local LGBT grantmaking agency and a national program that focuses on furthering racial equity.
Delaware Valley Legacy Fund will award $12,500 in grants through its Racial Equality Initiative program at a reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 24 at Woody’s, 202 S. 13th St. The event is free.
DVLF was one of five agencies across the nation selected to participate in the REI program, supported by Funders for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Issues. Since joining the effort three years ago, DVLF has distributed $100,000 to area agencies that support LGBT of color communities.
The latest grantees are Beta Phi Omega Sorority, Hotpot!, House of Blahnik, Philadelphia Black Gay Pride and Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Philadelphia. Each organization will receive $2,500.
DVLF executive director John Moeller said the awards are “mini grants,” and DVLF will distribute another round of larger awards in September.
The REI program focuses on organizations that serve and are led by people of color and have budgets under $500,000. Moeller said the grantees typically operate with few staff members and many are volunteer-run.
The funds are meant to enhance the organizational abilities of the groups, Moeller said.
“The grantmaking focuses on capacity-building,” he said. “So it can be for anything from board retreats to working on the bylaws of the organization to the creation of a strategic plan — all things that go into capacity-planning.”
Moeller said DVLF evaluated applicants not just on their adherence to the program guidelines set down through REI, but also for the tangible inroads they’re making for local LGBTs of color.
“We really looked at the impact they’ve had and are continuing to have within the community,” Moeller said. “They’re all on the ground working hard, and the impact they’re having is huge.”
RSVP to the REI reception by emailing [email protected] or calling 215-563-6417 ext. 117.
For more information about DVLF’s REI program, visit www.dvlf.org.