A local youth-focused philanthropy organization will celebrate LGBT young people at its annual gala next month.
The Spruce Foundation was founded to encourage young professionals to get involved with local nonprofit organizations. Each year, Spruce Foundation partners with four nonprofits — in education, health, the arts and the LGBT community, the latter of which this year is The Attic Youth Center.
The Attic and the three other partners will each receive a $5,000 grant.
The foundation’s co-president, Rudy Flesher, said the organization was motivated to select The Attic in part because of its need for funds to help with its mental health-counseling program.
“The Attic has such a compelling story and the services they are providing make a difference,” he said.
Flesher served as program officer for LGBTQ youth at the foundation last year before becoming co-president.
“There was a realization that there is a huge need for funding for LGBT youth organizations and that is only being met by individual donors,” he said.
Flesher said this year’s gala, on June 7, will be the largest yet, and at a new venue, Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. The venue can hold 600 people, as opposed to last year’s, which held 150.
“The Union Transfer has been bringing interesting new artists and there will be a live-music portion of our gala, so that will blend perfectly,” he said. “There have been a significant number of young professionals seeking to go to a purposeful event. Our gala has tripled in size because of that.”
Flesher said the gala is a way for young people to get more involved and network.
“We are raising money to further our mission, which is primarily supporting youth nonprofits and cultivating the next generation of philanthropists,” he said. “The gala is a chance to meet like-minded people who are passionate about their communities. You don’t have to wait until you are older to make an impact.”
Tickets are $75-$125. For more info, visit http://sprucefoundation.org.