The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation has made history by becoming the first GLBT foundation in the nation to collaborate with a "mainstream" foundation to raise money for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender causes.

HDF, a four-year-old organization, and The San Diego Foundation, a 25-year-old organization, joined forces in 1999, aiming to raise $100,000 for the community. The partnership has raised $20,000 so far.

The New York-based National Lesbian and Gay Funding Partnership recently promised a $50,000 matching grant if the two foundations raise their shares of $50,000 each. This makes for a $150,000 fund for this collaborative group - the San Diego Lesbian and Gay Funding Partnership - to benefit the GLBT community.

And, according to board members, that's just the beginning.

The LGP board - which includes SDF members as well as HDF members - says it will keep the criteria for grant awards as open as possible to benefit the most people. The partnership is currently setting forth a needs assessment to better understand the priorities of the community.

David Contois, president of the HDF board, said the unprecedented partnership is in the best interest of the GLBT community as well as the greater community in San Diego.

"It's money the LGBT community doesn't typically see," he explained. "We not only get the money, by the SDF are working in conjunction with us to raise money by going to their funders. It establishes awareness in the mainstream community."

Board members say many people are not aware of GLBT issues or of opportunities to invest money securely in the community. Combining the HDF's knowledge of GLBT needs and the money-management experience of SDF will foster a sense of security and trust for people who might not otherwise contribute, they say. And, Contois said, raising awareness that there are issues other than HIV/AIDS in the gay community - such as housing for seniors, arts and culture, education and youth programs - is also important.

The fund was generated by both SDF and HDF. The SDF's original vision, to "support programs that will ensure our community's continues strength, provide services, support those in need and foster empowerment" came about with a recognition that GLBT agencies were consistently struggling with secure funding and acknowledgement that the mainstream government and local grants were minimally impacting the GLBT community.

On the SDF side, a handful of volunteers had discussed the foundation's relationship with the GLBT community. Ed Richards, chair of the partnership group and an SDF volunteer, said a few of the volunteers "believed that the San Diego Foundation was not fully cognizant of how important our community is to the entire community." Shortly thereafter, the HDF approached the SDF to address a similar issue. From there, the partnership was formed.

"We're breaking down barriers," said Richard. "It's really a pretty historic thing for The San Diego Foundation, and the cooperation and support have been incredible."

Contois said he believes that the SDF only recently became interested in BT issues because, 25 years ago, the gay community was not as well recognized.

"LGBTs are at a different point now as far as mainstream awareness and acceptance," he added.

Richards emphasized that the partnership hopes to make funds available for the widest possible range of GLBT needs.

"We're trying to figure out what the needs are. Very generally a lot of attention is paid to health issues, which are vital and very important," he said. "We have to look at every aspect - social needs, problems of youth, problems of coming out." He added that the board encourages dedicated groups who are committed to the GLBT community, including high-school-age students, to apply for grant money.

The HDF's needs assessment in 1998 showed that the first priority for the community is affordable health services; the second is human and social services; the third is GLBT civil rights.

For seniors, the priority is assistance with daily living activities; for youth, it's support in coming out.

The freedom to keep the fund as general as possible was a struggle in the beginning, though the SDF has no major caveats or conditions, according to Contois.

Originally the language around what type of services to fund was seen as constrictive, but the LGP board worked together, Contois said, "and put their trust in us to administer the needs. We don't want to be directed."

Added Richards, "We want to be open to every interesting opportunity. The only thing is that the money may limit us."

He said the board plans to make the grant-application process simple in order to encourage more people to apply. The grants will be evaluated and processed and then voted on by the board. He said the grants will probably be smaller-scale because of the desire to help fund several projects: "Part of the job is to break down stereotypes."

Richards said he believes the visibility of the fund will dispel stereotypes that gays and lesbians are not viable members of the community and only exist in San Diego during the weekend of Gay Pride.

When people are surveyed by the SDF, he noted, gay and lesbian issues tend to be "at the lowest end." He thinks that's because people don't know much about the GLBT community and its members because many of its members don't "out" themselves in professional settings or discuss GLBT issues with the straight community.

As for future GLBT funds, Richards said he believes the partnership will pave the way for money that may be more specific to community needs - for example, a GLBT-youth fund or a senior-housing fund.

Contributions to the current fund include individual donors, The San Diego Foundation, the Galinson Family Fund and San Diego National Bank.

The San Diego Foundation's mission is to "assist donors to build and preserve enduring assets for charitable purposes in all of our communities; to monitor and assess changing needs; to meet those needs through financial awards and organizational support; and to convene members of the community to promote creative dialogue on issues affecting all of our communities." The Human Dignity Foundation states that it is "committed to providing perpetual and significant funding to community-based organizations serving the San Diego area's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population. The foundation raises, invests and distributes funds in partnership with donors and grantees, while practicing and encouraging diversity, equity and inclusiveness."

Gay & Lesbian Times
August 10, 2000

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