A message from GCEF's board chair: Envisioning a societal transformation
Before putting pen to paper for this note, I spent some time reading several messages from former GCEF chairs (thank you, Steve Schmidt, et al.). A common thread across all these letters: The fund continuously outperforms expectations, both in revenue and in grantmaking. This is still true today!
Our endowment currently sits at $2.4 million, a number beyond what many thought was ever possible. In our last grant cycle, we distributed $82,000 to nonprofits serving our LGBTQ+ community, the most we've given in 10 years. We supported three organizations with impact grants and 15 more with micro grants. Since our scholarship fund was established in 2012, we have awarded more than $60,000 in LGBTQ+ student scholarships. Over the last two years alone, we awarded $19,000 to 12 students! I am truly proud of the important work we are doing, none of which would be possible without donors like you.
While the calendar may be winding down, the fund is gearing up for a busy few months. First, our grant applications are open from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15. Then, I encourage everyone to dig out your ugly Christmas sweaters, dust off your jingle bells, and join us on Sunday, Dec. 8, for the 23rd Sugar Plum Tour of Holiday Homes, Akron's premier holiday kick-off event and our biggest fundraiser of the year! While I always recommend buying a tour ticket, why not do more and become a sponsor? All sponsors receive tickets to our exclusive Patron Party, which will be held in a private home for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
GCEF envisions a societal transformation in which all LGBTQ+ individuals experience equity and acceptance, and we strive to provide grants that advance the right to live safely, openly and authentically. On Oct. 2, Summit County Public Health presented to GCEF board members and other LGBTQ+ community partners an overview of the newest Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a comprehensive study of adolescent health in our county. Hearing many sobering statistics regarding bullying, physical violence and suicide prevalence reminded all of us that many young people are NOT able to live safely, openly and authentically and that our work is far from done. As the end of the year approaches, I hope you'll consider a gift to our fund. We have always stood for, and championed, the most vulnerable among us, and it continues to become ever clearer how much our help is needed.
Many thanks in this most giving of seasons,
Dr. Kate Raymond, Chair