![Pictured: NW landscapes, interspersed with photos of 2020 grantees [clockwise from top] SAGE Metro Portland, Inclusive Idaho, Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic, and UTOPIA Seattle.](https://pridefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/6CT60S-Email-Collage-large-1104x587.png)
To say that this year has held a lot is such an understatement.
2020 called each of us to get very clear in our purpose. At Pride Foundation, ours has been crystal clear: to show up in all the ways we can for LGBTQ+ people and communities in the Northwest.
Despite the challenges of this year, our tremendous collective efforts have given us so much to cherish and celebrate. Here are just six things to celebrate from our work together this year:
- Our Crisis Community Care Fund awarded nearly $1 million proactively to groups providing direct services in response to the pandemic and those addressing the systemic racism that is the root cause of the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on BIPOC communities.
- We awarded an historic $665,000 to 92 organizations through our Community Grants Program, making some of the largest grants we’ve ever made!
- 127 Pride Foundation Scholars received more than $545,000 in scholarships this year—and we celebrated their leadership and resilience with a Virtual Scholarship Celebration.
- With the launch of a 5-State Story Collection Campaign, TRANSformCulture—formerly known as TRANSform Washington—has shifted its name to better reflect the regional and national work in messaging research, public education, and political advocacy for trans communities.
- We’ve experienced an incredible outpouring of support, love, and generosity from our community—including gifts from more than 375 new donors since January!
- We created a Community Care Package to offer to our communities in the hope that this collection of recipes, poetry, media, and activities would bring some joy, rest, and an opportunity to recharge for 2021. We hope you’ll feel the joy and love it contains for all of you.
At Pride Foundation, we are ready to do everything we can to support our communities to not only survive this next year, but to build the world together where we have what we need to thrive for years to come.
Please make a gift to support Pride Foundation today. Gifts made by midnight on December 31 will be matched by the All in WA campaign—please help double your support by giving to Pride Foundation today, so that all LGBTQ+ people have what we need to thrive today, tomorrow, and beyond.
With everything this year has held, we are closing it out with deep, deep gratitude for the communities across our region who support our work and who have cared for one another through it all.
Katie Carter is Pride Foundation CEO.