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Download the 2008 Financial Grant Application
The Gay Community Center of Richmond (GCCR) announced today that it will resume its financial grant program. This grant program was placed on hiatus three years ago so the organization could invest in the purchase and renovation of its facility on Sherwood Avenue. The renovated building provides a home for its two independent fund-raising ventures, Diversity Thrift and Diversity Bingo. With the opening of the Event Hall last fall and the Community Center suite next month, it now provides nearly 18,000 square feet of flexible space for meetings, events and activities.
As in the past, all grants will be awarded to programs that benefit the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Previously GCCR has funded a variety of organizations, including Equality Virginia Education Fund, the Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth, and the Richmond chapter of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
Organizations that do not primarily benefit the LGBT communities are still eligible for funds so long as the program for which funds are sought will benefit the LGBT community. Previous grant recipients have included the Virginia Holocaust Museum (for a permanent exhibit on the Nazi persecution of gays), the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (for a health initiative targeting lesbians), Meals on Wheels (to provide meals to people living with HIV), Barksdale Theatre (to help with production costs of The Laramie Project) and the Fan Free Clinic (to fund an HIV case manager.
Since the opening of its retail store, Diversity Thrift, in August 2000, GCCR has awarded more than $475,000 to the community. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $30,000.
GCCR Executive Director Jay Squires said, "Since 2004, the Gay Community Center of Richmond has invested over $1.5 million in the renovation of our facility. Now that the public areas are nearing completion, we’re excited to resume our direct grant program. Dozens of groups have benefitted from our support in the past. This year our renewed financing will fund many new programs supporting metro Richmond’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents."
In February, groups supporting the LGBT community will also be able to apply for the grant of meeting space at the Center. This ongoing program will make the Center’s nearly 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting space available to meet the needs of established and start-up organizations.
The financial grant application deadline is March 31. Organizations may request a grant application by emailing Jay Squires or by clicking through here.
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