Donate to Growing Together: An LGBTQ+ Fund
Growing Together: An LGBTQ+ Fund
With the goal of creating an inclusive environment, The Community Foundation’s Growing Together: An LGBTQ Fund was established in 2001 through grants from the National Lesbian and Gay Funding Partnership and contributions from local donors. The fund supports numerous LGBTQ+ educational opportunities each year through the leadership of the Growing Together Fund’s Advisory Committee. The committee includes Community Foundation staff and Board members, and representatives from various local constituencies: education, law enforcement, faith communities, LGBTQ organizations, and concerned community members.
The Growing Together Advisory Committee uses data from the Community Reports and Data Center to prioritize funding and initiatives. Follow this link to the Community Reports and Data Center: https://www.cfsloco.org/research/
Growing Together: An LGBTQ+ Fund has distributed more than $136,000 in grants since 2002. An endowment fund of more than half a million supports local efforts focused on community inclusiveness now and in perpetuity.
This year, we’re aiming to raise even more to fund impactful programs like those at Planned Parenthood CA Central Coast, one of our recent grant recipients. To make a general donation to the Growing Together: An LGBTQ+ Fund click here.
“The Growing Together Fund enabled us to support gender-affirming care services for San Luis Obispo County patients,” shared Mariam Shah, Director of Public Affairs. “These funds make a vital difference in providing Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy, inclusive mental health support, and LGBTQ+ centered STI and birth control services.”
GRANT APPLICATIONS:
- To apply for a grant from the Growing Together Fund during our annual General Grants cycle follow this link: https://www.cfsloco.org/nonprofits-2/
- To apply for a grant of up to $500 for your Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club in San Luis Obispo or Northern Santa Barbara County follow this link: https://www.cfsloco.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GTF-2024-GSA-Grant-Application_V3_Fillable.pdf
EVENT UPDATE:
A highlight each year is the Growing Together: Pride Brunch event held in early summer. Last year the event featured Dr. Jay Bettergarcia, an Associate Professor in Psychology and Child Development at Cal Poly, who leads the QCARES team focused on queer and trans mental health, resilience, and joy.
As a licensed psychologist and founder of The Center for Collaborative Transformations, Dr. Bettergarcia shared insights on gender-affirming therapy and radical healing. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to gather in celebration with the community while experiencing a robust educational program and expanding their awareness of the important work of Growing Together.
SAVE THE DATE for this year’s event on June 8, 2025. Details to be announced soon. Have you got a good story about resilience? We are looking for individuals in the queer community with stories of resilience to showcase at our annual Pride Brunch fundraiser on June 8, 2025, at a venue that will be selected in March.
We invite you to pitch your inspiring story for the stage or spread the word about this exciting event to folks you know who may be interested in sharing theirs. Organizations that partner with Growing Together in disseminating this invitation to their constituents and reaching out on our behalf will have their efforts gratefully acknowledged with their logo in the program at the Pride Brunch event. Learn more here. Deadline to submit is March 15, 2025.
Click here to download valuable tips for effective storytelling.
