MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director Russell Roybal has announced the Task Force would donate $300,000, the largest donation to date, to the GLBT Community Projects Fund at The Miami Foundation. Over 200 business leaders, LGBTQ activists and local community advocates welcomed the news with wild applause at the annual check presentation reception at El Tucán in Miami Beach, Florida, Thursday, July 20.
The Task Force’s contribution to The Miami Foundation represents a significant portion of the proceeds from the 2017 Winter Party Festival and the 2016 National LGBTQ Task Force Gala – Miami. The Miami Foundation re-grants the money to organizations serving the local LGBTQ community. The remainder of the proceeds from the two events funds the Task Force’s work nationally to continue its fight for full freedom, justice and equality for all LGBTQ people.
“The Task Force has a unique partnership with the Miami LGBTQ community. Together, we raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the important work happening locally and nationally to secure full freedom, justice and equality for LGBTQ people and their families. And we have a lot of fun doing it!” said Roybal.
The Task Force’s annual donation has benefited local organizations that provide crucial services such as suicide prevention, LGBTQ leadership development, as well as health and wellness advocacy for transgender people. It has also contributed to LGBTQ youth homelessness outreach, an LGBTQ youth drop-in center, and a number of arts, educational and cultural programs. With this year’s contribution, the National LGBTQ Task Force has donated over $2.7 million to The Miami Foundation since taking over the two events in 2005.
“We’re grateful to the Task Force and its many dedicated volunteers and donors for their ongoing commitment to Greater Miami,” said Rebecca Mandelman, Vice President for Strategy and Engagement at The Miami Foundation. “In this, our 50th anniversary year, we’re honored to partner with the Task Force on the GLBT Community Projects Fund, which for the past 12 years has helped non-profits fill critical gaps in Miami and ensure LGBTQ equity remains a priority.”
In 2016, the National LGBTQ Task Force’s award was able to provide 30 South Florida organizations grants. These organizations included: 4Ward Miami, Aqua Foundation for Women, Barry University, Camillus House, Equality Florida Institute, FIU Foundation – LGBTQA Initiatives, Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, Jonathan Spikes Foundation, Lawyers for Children America, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Lotus House Women’s Shelter, Miami Beach Gay Pride, Miami Gay Men’s Chorus, Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Foundation, MiFo LGBT Film Festival, OUT Miami Foundation, Pet Project For Pets, Pioneer Winter Collective, Pridelines, Reading Queer, Safe Schools South Florida, SAVE Foundation, Stonewall Library & Archives, Survivors’ Pathway Corporation, Switchboard of Miami, Tigertail Productions, Unity Coalition/Coalicion Unida, VIDA Legal Assistance, and YES Institute. Programs benefitting from these grants provided funding for an LGBTQ suicide prevention and awareness hotline, a transgender health and wellness forum, an LGBTQ youth homelessness outreach program, an LGBTQ youth drop-in center, and numerous arts-related activities, among others.
This year’s Task Force Gala – Miami takes place on Saturday, October 7, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. The 25th Edition of Winter Party Festival will be February 28 – March 6, 2018, also in Miami Beach.
Am very glad for donation but when I called to ask for help because am a Cáncer patient LGBT without home there was a burocracy and never help me. They send me to go to Camilos house. Good luck