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Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado Named Outstanding Foundation

Publication Date: September 10, 2009

National Philanthropy Day in Colorado Honors Fund’s Philanthropic Contributions

[Colorado Springs, Colo.] The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado has been named the 2009 Outstanding Foundation by National Philanthropy Day in Colorado. Every year, National Philanthropy Day honors individuals, organizations, foundations, businesses, and corporations for their exceptional and impactful philanthropic and volunteer contributions in Colorado.

The award will be presented during the National Philanthropy Day celebration November 13th at the Denver Marriott City Center. This year’s event will bring an estimated 1,000 people together to recognize the accomplishments of all award recipients.

Recognized in the category of Outstanding Foundation, the Gay & Lesbian Fund was selected as a grantmaking foundation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles in philanthropy and community involvement.

“We are extremely privileged to serve Colorado’s nonprofit organizations,” said Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund. “This award from National Philanthropy Day is a salute not only to the Gay & Lesbian Fund, but to our grantees and partners who work so hard to improve the lives of and advance equality for all Coloradans.”

De Ann Acosta, chair of the awards and selection committee for National Philanthropy Day in Colorado, said: “We heartily congratulate the Gay & Lesbian Fund for being named Outstanding Foundation for 2009. We get many great nominations and it’s difficult to decide on just one, but we feel that this organization is exemplary and well-deserving of this recognition.”

About the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado

The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado was established in 1996 as a project of the Gill Foundation. It has provided financial support and critical resources to hundreds of high-impact nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado that share the fund’s commitment to advancing equality and improving quality of life for people across the state. With more than $22 million of investments in arts and culture, public participation, healthy families, and public broadcasting programs, the fund maintains and enriches Colorado’s cultural heritage, strengthens the ability of Colorado families to thrive, and unlocks the leadership potential of our residents for a stronger democracy.

The organization is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  More information can be found at http://www.gayandlesbianfund.org/.

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.