HOPE Fund to provide matching donation to Affirmations

FERNDALE, Mich. –
On Monday, July 13, Affirmations acknowledged a challenge grant from The HOPE Fund of the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. The HOPE Fund has pledged $25,000, challenging the organization to raise an additional $25,000. Affirmations welcomed the grant and is already on its way to raising the needed funds.
To date, Affirmations has raised $5,500 with fundraising events that took place at Comerica Park and BlackFinn Saloon in Royal Oak.
"While this is a positive start, Affirmations still has a long way to go," said Affirmations CEO Leslie Thompson. "We continue to see a rise in the number of center users that take advantage of our programs and services. With an even greater demand for resources, it's essential that we raise the funds necessary to prevent any interruption to existing services."
The HOPE Fund challenge comes at a critical time during a challenging fundraising year. At the beginning of 2009, the center was forced to make cuts to operation hours, programming and staff due to a loss in corporate and grant funding. "Affirmations works hard to provide programs and services that meet the unique social, supportive and life skill needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people," said Michael Coleman, director of
communications and development. "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 HOPE Fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan exists to strengthen and empower organizations that serve the LGBT communities by supporting important charitable activities in southeast Michigan and by encouraging individuals to consider what they can do with their personal philanthropy. Since its inception in 1994, more than $1.2 million in grants have been made through the Foundation's HOPE Fund. The HOPE Fund also helps people carry out their charitable wishes to benefit the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
For more information about Affirmations, or to support the center, contact Michael Coleman at 248-398-7105, or visit goaffirmations.org.