When Florida Gov. DeSantis unceremoniously eliminated the vast majority of state grants for arts and cultural programs in July 2024, The Our Fund Foundation immediately took action. The LGBTQ community foundation created an emergency Arts & Culture Fund to help fill the financial gap and assist the impacted South Florida LGBTQ-serving arts and cultural nonprofit organizations.
“Over the span of a few weeks, we were able to mobilize our network of LGBTQ and allied philanthropists during this critical time,” said David Jobin, President and CEO of The Our Fund Foundation. “We are incredibly thankful for the generous support from our Leadership Level donors who enabled us reach our fundraising goal and help make these agencies whole again.”
Working in tandem with the effected agencies, which made substantial progress fundraising on their own behalf, The Our Fund Foundation was able to raise $151,500 in supplemental revenue to counter the loss from anticipated and planned-for revenue.
The South Florida agencies include the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library, Island City Stage, Thinking Cap Theatre, Plays of Wilton, South Florida Pride Concert Band and ArtsUnited.
“Uplifting LGBTQ arts and culture agencies at such a dire time is another example of The Our Fund Foundation standing by the nonprofits they serve. Strong communities do not exist without strong leadership,” said Mark Kent, executive director of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. “For South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community, The Our Fund Foundation is a leader of strength and vision. When far-reaching challenges arise, Our Fund immediately steps up to provide hope, convene decision makers, and generate funding. We are so grateful to them and their dedicated donors.”
“The results of Our Fund Foundation’s fundraising efforts in this dire moment are absolutely breathtaking and incredibly impactful. As a direct result, Thinking Cap Theatre will now be able to announce its 15th season,” said Nicole Stodard PhD., producing artistic director, Thinking Cap Theatre. “The Our Fund Foundation once again proves itself to be a lifeline for LGBTQ+ nonprofits and reaffirms the vital importance of the work we do collectively.”
The Our Fund Foundation’s special arts and culture fundraising initiative could not have been achieved without the generous support from Leadership level gifts ($2,500+) from the following Funds at Our Fund: The Sherzum Fund, The Russell Vance and Edward Schwartz Charitable Trust, The William Jaume Charitable Fund, Darden Family Fund, Scott L. Bennett Charitable Fund, Woodham-Ellis Charitable Trust, as well as Dick Schwarz and Tom Massey, David Stubbins and the Howard Greenfield Charitable Foundation.
“We’re privileged to work at the intersection of people who care and causes that matter,” said Jobin. “I’m proud to share that funds will soon be distributed to each agency in accordance with the amount in funding that was cut by the State.”
Additionally, The Our Fund Foundation will award $300,000 in grants during its annual Arts & Culture Fund grant ceremony scheduled for September 2024.
