These first few weeks of 2021 have already held a lot. To me, January has gone by in a blur of joy and outrage, anxiety and hopefulness. While all of those elements remain, I want to acknowledge several bright spots for the start of our year.
Here are three cool things for our Pride Foundation community to celebrate:
- Pride Foundation is honored to be one of 384 nonprofit organizations to receive support from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Her $3 million gift comes at a critical time for our communities, and will allow us to make longer term, larger, and even more responsive investments in LGBTQ+ communities across the Northwest.
- Our 2021 Scholarship applications are in! We still need volunteers to help review applications from these incredible student leaders. The first phase of review is underway, but there’s still time to sign up to help with Phase 2 until February 22. Sign up today—and please help spread the word!
- From the very first day in office, the Biden administration is already showing up for LGBTQ+ communities in historic ways—from executive orders that affirmed the protection of LGBTQ+ people under civil rights statutes and ended the ban on trans people serving in the military, to the nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine to a cabinet-level position, to sweeping commitments advancing racial equity and dismantling systemic racism. Though our work for change continues, these shifts bring new hope for the future.
Now is the time to do all we can to usher in a new year, and a future where everyone across our communities can live and thrive. We couldn’t be more grateful to be in community, and in this work with you.
Katie Carter is Pride Foundation CEO.