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Gay & Lesbian Fund For Colorado Supports Manitou Springs Streetscape Face Life

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

Manitou Springs’ long-awaited streetscape improvement project is underway, supported in part by the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado.

First introduced in the 1970’s, the proposed Manitou Avenue upgrade faltered until 2002 when voters endorsed public funding for the five-year construction project.  The first phase—launched in mid-March—is the construction of Shoshone Plaza, which will provide a public gathering place and access to historic Shoshone Spring.  Funding for the project came from numerous sources, including a voter-approved $1.6 million bond, grants from the Gay & Lesbian Fund For Colorado and El Pomar Foundation and private donations for benches and public art.

“Colorado has a rich history that should be preserved and enjoyed,” said Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund For Colorado.  “The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado is committed to supporting projects like the revitalization of Manitou Springs.  This project brought citizens together, empowered them, and improved the community.  At the heart of any vital community are concerned and activated citizens.”

About the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado

The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado was established in 1996 as a project of the Gill Foundation.  The Gay & Lesbian Fund For Colorado has a dual mission:  to support community nonprofits that offer equal opportunity regardless of sexual orientation, and to raise public awareness of the contributions that gay men and lesbians make to Colorado. www.gayandlesbianfund.org

The Gill Foundation, established in 1994 by software entrepreneur Tim Gill, seeks to secure equal opportunity for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.  The Gill Foundation is the largest funder focusing principally on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights in the United States. www.gillfoundation.org

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Welcome to the website for the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado

We’d like to update you on some important news.

In 2012, we are taking a break from all new grantmaking to undergo a strategic re-evaluation.

During this time, the Gay & Lesbian Fund will not accept any unsolicited 2012 grant applications, but all grantees that were awarded a grant from the Gay & Lesbian Fund during 2011 will receive a grant of the same amount in 2012 with no paperwork required. We will accomplish those renewals by March 1, 2012.

The Gay & Lesbian Fund is a program of the Gill Foundation. The Gill Foundation is as committed to Colorado as ever – giving more than $3.5 million to Colorado nonprofits annually. After this re-evaluation, the Gay & Lesbian Fund, which is only a portion of our Colorado giving, will continue to be a significant part of the foundation’s work in the state. We will announce, and update this site to reflect, the Gay & Lesbian Fund’s revised grantmaking and application guidelines as soon as that information is available.

In the interim, all Colorado programs outside of the Gay & Lesbian Fund, including the funding of our progressive allies, our LGBT and HIV service and advocacy organizations, and our anti-bullying work will continue on their current trajectory and will not be directly affected.

Thank you for your patience in the weeks and months ahead. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@gayandlesbianfund.org.

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