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Durango Nonprofits Set an Example for Inclusion and Equal Rights. Gay & Lesbian Fund Applauds Durango Groups for Creating a Welcoming Workplace.

Publication Date: February 24, 2009

In 2009, the City of Durango joined the growing list of cities and counties across Colorado that now extend employee health insurance benefits to domestic partners of employees.  The city joins several Durango nonprofit organizations that, in 2008, had demonstrated their commitment to greater inclusion by modifying their organizational nondiscrimination policies to include both sexual orientation and gender expression.

Durango Discovery Kids, Durango Independent Film Festival, and KDUR Radio are all Durango nonprofit organizations funded by the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. They expanded their nondiscrimination policies in 2008 to include sexual orientation and gender expression, a move the Gay & Lesbian Fund applauds.

“Our grantees in the Durango area have sent a clear message that they operate within a framework of equality and fairness, and that can only be good for the people of Durango,” said Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund. “While changing personnel policies may appear to be a small task, it is an important step toward creating a safe society that is free of discrimination and celebrates human differences.

“Now, with the City of Durango’s offering of health insurance benefits to city employees with same-sex partners, Durango can be proud of the message about equality it is sending to residents and to all of those who visit,” Makepeace added.

About the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado
Since it was founded in 1996, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado has provided financial support and critical resources to hundreds of nonprofit organizations that share the fund’s commitment to advancing equality and improving quality of life for people across Colorado. Having awarded more than $22 million to arts and culture, civic engagement, healthy families, and public broadcasting programs, the fund prides itself on the collaborations it has formed with those who share a common vision for equality. Along with grantees, business partners, nonprofit leaders, public supporters, and allies, the Gay & Lesbian Fund believes that Colorado is a stronger state when all residents have equal access to opportunities and resources. Learn more about the fund’s philanthropic work at www.gayandlesbianfund.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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