The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado celebrated its 10th Anniversary on December 7th with a gala event that was attended by more than 200 Coloradans from the nonprofit, business, and public sectors. Highlights from the event include:

• The presentation of awards honoring three recipients who have made significant contributions to equality and quality of life in the state;
• The unveiling of certificates of appreciation from around the state in recognition of the fund’s philanthropic work; and
• The premiere of a video about the Gay & Lesbian Fund’s first decade of work to increase quality of life throughout Colorado.

Since 1996, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado has provided more than $18 million dollars in financial grants to hundreds of Colorado nonprofit organizations. These organizations are devoted to increasing equality and quality of life throughout the state through community services related to arts and culture, civic leadership, healthy families, and public broadcasting. In addition to its financial grants, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado has also provided numerous services designed to help nonprofit organizations achieve their missions, including consulting services, educational workshops and seminars, networking services, community forums that provide access to experts and thought leaders, and meeting space for events.

“This event is not only a celebration of our 10th anniversary, but also an opportunity to recognize the tremendous work of the many organizations we work with across the state. Their tireless efforts help make Colorado a truly wonderful place to live, and we are proud to be partners in that work,” said Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado.

At the event, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado presented three awards in recognition of people who embody the spirit of the organization through their contributions to equality in the state:

• An award for Outstanding Nonprofit Organization was given to the Pikes Peak Library District in recognition of how it has enriched the lives of people throughout the Pikes Peak region by providing everyone free access to informational, cultural, and educational resources without prejudice or discrimination. The award also honors how the Pikes Peak Library District actively promotes civil rights, equality, and fairness for all people regardless of socioeconomic background, age, heritage, language, cultural identity, or sexual orientation.
• An award for Outstanding Business Supporter was given to Lon Matejczyk, publisher of the Colorado Springs Business Journal, in recognition of his willingness to be an unwavering voice in support of civil rights, equality, and fairness. The award also honors his deeply held belief that open and welcoming communities translate to economically thriving communities – a belief that has been a revolutionary perspective in Colorado Springs.
• An award for Outstanding Public Official was given to Steve Burkholder, Mayor of Lakewood, in recognition of his extraordinary leadership in support of equal rights in Lakewood, the State of Colorado, and nationally in the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Each awardee received a plaque and a $5,000 grant to a nonprofit organization of his or her choosing.

The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado also unveiled official certificates of appreciation from communities around the state in recognition of the fund’s philanthropic work, including: Resolutions of appreciation from Pueblo County, San Miguel County, Boulder County, the City of Manitou Springs, the Town of Crestone, and the City of Steamboat Springs; Proclamations of appreciation from the City of Lakewood, the City of Aspen, the City of Littleton, the City of Grand Junction, City of Greeley, and the City and County of Denver; and a Declaration of appreciation from the City of Boulder.

Following the awards presentation, attendees previewed a video chronicling the first ten years in the fund’s history.

“A lot has changed in Colorado’s nonprofit community over the past 10 years, and those changes have made the role of foundations more vital than ever. Decreased government funding for nonprofits creates significant financial challenges at a time when demand for services is rising while traditional government-provided services are also being cut,” said Makepeace. “Foundations like the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado play a critical role in providing resources that support nonprofit services to communities around the state. Everyone who attended our anniversary event shares our commitment to serving Colorado, and we look forward to the next 10 years of partnership and service.”

About the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado
The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado was established in 1996 as a program to financially support nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life in Colorado and promote equality for all people. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $18 million to hundreds of nonprofit organizations whose program areas include arts and culture, civic leadership, healthy families, and public broadcasting. In addition to providing financial assistance, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado offers training programs, workshops, technical assistance, and public meeting space to strengthen nonprofit organizations’ ability to grow, flourish and succeed. The organization is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information please visit www.gayandlesbianfund.org.

About the Funds
Every year, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado receives a financial allocation from its parent organization, the Gill Foundation, that must be donated in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations that have an IRS 501(c)(3) status and adhere to a nondiscrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation. These monies, which typically amount to approximately 18 to 20 percent of the Gill Foundation’s earned investments, are not used for private or political purposes, in accordance with IRS regulations.