3 Greater Orlando Region Nonprofits Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community Committed to Financial Sustainability
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Central Florida Foundation works to create a better region today and into the future. One way we work to ensure this happens is through partnering with nonprofits who are ready for the next stage of their nonprofit sustainability plan: endowment. This month, we’re highlighting three LGBTQ+ organizations that have chosen to partner with us for a financially sustainable future.
What is a Nonprofit Endowment Fund?
Anytime you see the word endowment in the context of philanthropy, associate that word with forever. A Nonprofit Endowment Fund is a bit like what an investment fund is to an individual — money is permanently set aside and invested so your nonprofit continues to earn funds to put toward your mission. Each year, based on the Foundation’s spending policy, the organization is given the option to take the annual payout amount and distribute it to the organization or have that amount reinvested into the Fund. Here, we call our Nonprofit Endowment Funds Nonprofit Forever Funds because they do just that – they last forever through the structure of endowment.
Learn More: Watch this short video on the Nonprofit Sustainability Model here.
As the video referenced, the Nonprofit Sustainability Model has three parts to it: the annual campaign, reserve and endowment. If the first two components are not established, then a nonprofit might not be ready for an endowment. However, it’s never too early to start learning about this powerful sustainability tool if fueling a mission for generations to come is in an organization’s plans.
3 Greater Orlando Region Nonprofits Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community Committed to Financial Sustainability
As a diverse community, Central Florida Foundation is proud to partner with a vast network of nonprofits serving a variety needs and systemic gaps. These three nonprofits, all of which have Nonprofit Endowment Funds with CFF, work to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community is supported and thriving.
26Health was founded in 2011 to help transform the healthcare landscape in Central Florida for the LGBTQIA communities who faced continuous barriers to quality care. The scale of health inequality was unacceptable, marking the beginning of 26Health as a private practice offering lifesaving and life-affirming aid. Its collective grew as more people joined the organization’s mission to show more humanity in the healthcare industry by prioritizing inclusion and respect. Click here to view this organization’s Nonprofit Search profile.
26Health shares their commit to lead with compassion and provide solutions that overcome barriers to care. This nonprofit is a comprehensive wellness community that includes affordable healthcare, mental healthcare, a drug discount program, adoption services, aesthetic services, and more.
We are here for everyone, and to make the
Latrice Stewart, Chief Operating Officer | 26Health
community and every county better.
“Healthcare is a real challenge in our communities, but we want to make sure that individuals
receive the care that they need. Whether it be primary care services or mental health services,
it’s very important that we are helping or assisting with chronic disease management,
medication management, and erasing stigmas. We are here for everyone, and to make the
community and every county better,” says Latrice Stewart, Chief Operating Office, 26Health.
.The LGBT+ Center Orlando‘s mission is to promote and empower the LGBT community and its allies through advocacy, education, information, and support. This organization’s story begins as a response to the need for safe spaces for the gay community to gather and to have accessible, quality, non-judgmental information and services. What began as a safe space to gather, share, support, and grow has grown into many areas that also serve the purpose of making us visible and strengthening us as a community. Click here to view this organization’s Nonprofit Search profile.
In addition to programs, The Center also offers a variety of support groups, legal & immigration services, career planning, a Cyber Center (a place with computers to access information, communicate, recreate and work), the Pride Pantry, and more.
The LGBT+ Center Orlando is a safe and non-judgmental space where people can feel free to express themselves as they are.
Nikole Parker, Chief Operating Officer | The LGBT+ Center Orlando
“The LGBT+ Center Orlando is a safe and non-judgmental space where people can feel free to express themselves as they are. We are thankful for the Central Florida Foundation for connecting us to funders who help us to further our mission to help empower the LGBT+ community and its allies through advocacy, education information and support,” says Nikole Parker, Chief Operating Officer, The LGBT+ Center Orlando.
The Orlando Gay Chorus is an arts and humanitarian organization. The members of the chorus, now 100+ strong, are thankful to be able to carry on the mission and vision. The musical artistry speaks directly to the pride in the LGBTQ+ community and offers the world a chance to see beyond headlines and contentious social issues to build bridges of understanding and love.
As part of the Central Florida Arts Community, the Orlando Gay Chorus often performs at Central Florida pride events, sporting events, and various other community engagements. In addition to its two main stage concerts in December and May, OGC presents smaller cabarets and takes the show on the road at least once a year to cities outside of Orlando, like Sanford, Ormond Beach, Cocoa, and more.
As the world teaches one to be an individual, music teaches a world of individuals to be one!
Harold Wright, Artistic Director | Orlando Gay Chorus
“As the Orlando Gay Chorus approaches our 35-year anniversary, we know the importance of community support. We have survived recessions, economic downturns, tragedy, COVID, and more. Yet OGC has found itself supported and uplifted by our community. We continue to wave our rainbow flag proudly, and we sing out loud!” says Sheri Kettula, Chair of the Board, OGC.
Celebrating Pride Month – All Year Round
While many nonprofits that support the LGBTQ+ community see a lot of activity during Pride Month in June, it’s important to note that these organizations do important work all year long. To learn more about these organizations, check out Nonprofit Search (NPS), where you can access each nonprofit’s policies, programs, needs statement, governance, financials and more. Each of the organizations highlighted above have NPS profiles – which means they are all align with CFF’s commitment to nonprofit transparency.
Establishing a Nonprofit Endowment
As a community foundation, we take pride in partnering with local nonprofits who are working every day to make Central Florida an even better place to call home. If an organization has its annual campaign and reserve in place, or is on that path, reviewing our Nonprofit Endowment Fund Guide is the first step to starting the endowment journey. In this document, you’ll learn about the benefits associated with this type of fund, things to consider along the way, and get your immediate questions answered. You can also read about nonprofit endowment on our website here.
After reviewing this information, simply fill out the form below to start the conversation.
