HOPE Fund offers three matching grants for LGBT orgs

In June, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan through The HOPE Fund awarded $60,000 in grants to support nonprofit organizations working in the LGBT community.
Traditionally, grants have been made in support of specific programs in the LGBT community. In light of the troubled economy in the non-profit community, The HOPE Fund and the Community Foundation Board of Trustees elected to utilize the available $60,000 as a matching grant opportunity for general operating costs of three LGBT organizations. Based on the review of grantmaking to date, the institutions chosen were Affirmations, the Triangle Foundation and the Ruth Ellis Center.
A one-to-one match has been offered to the organizations, meaning that every dollar raised by the organizations will be matched by the Community Foundation with a dollar, up to the total amount specified. Based on asset size, Affirmations can receive up to $25,000 in match, the Triangle Foundation can receive up to $20,000 and the Ruth Ellis Center can receive up to $15,000.
The organizations have until October 31 to raise match funds. "It is hoped that this deadline will encourage the organizations and their donors to step up and get money in the door now," said Mariam Noland, president of the Community Foundation. Once raised, the money can be used for any purpose that furthers the mission of each organization.
All three organizations voiced their excitement about the initiative.
"The HOPE Fund challenge comes at a critical time during a challenging fundraising year," said Michael Coleman, director of communications and development at the center.
"The HOPE Fund challenge will allow us to further develop and expand our services, empowering those who wish to express and explore their identities. We're hopeful that we will meet this challenge by the end of the summer."
"The challenge from the Community Foundation comes at a wonderful time in our history. Historically, the Ruth Ellis Center has relied on a few key individual and foundation donors and clearly needs to develop a more diversified base of support," said Jack VanHecke, director of development at Ruth Ellis. "We hope that this challenge grant will spur new donors to give to the center while encouraging existing donors to increase their gifts. We feel confident that our donors will like the idea of being able to leverage their gifts, especially being aware that additional funds provide basic survival needs, crisis intervention and tools toward independence for the runaway and homeless population that we serve."
"The Triangle Foundation is excited to be given the matching grant from the Community Foundation. Matching grants really help organizations raise needed funding," added Alicia Skillman, executive director of Triangle. "The Triangle Foundation is taking multiple approaches to reach out to donors. We are sending an e-mail blast to supporters so they can donate online, sending out a special direct mailing to other donors, and asking Hotter Than July participants to make donations. We feel confident that we can raise the match by the deadline."