Pride Foundation- LGBTQ Community Foundation

December 1 marked my first year as Idaho’s regional development organizer for Pride Foundation, and it seems only fitting that I celebrate the occasion by sharing the news of five new grantees who have this month received a share of $15,000 awarded to them by Pride Foundation for their work in the state’s LGBTQ arena. Hats off to them for their tireless dedication and thanks to all of you who support our collaborative efforts in honoring diversity and creating equality for all of us.

Here are this year’s Pride Foundation grant recipients:

University of Idaho. The Moscow-based university received $3,500 for its Human Rights Access and Inclusion Office’s efforts to expand the campus’s LGBTQ Safe Zone Program. The expansion will include in-person and online training modules of Safe Zone workshops, to be offered in various locations across the state, allowing for the Safe Zone message to reach into the rural corners of Idaho. Funds will also assist in enhancing the program through the creation of a video that will allow the voices of LGBTQ students, faculty, and staff to express the importance of the Safe Zone program and how workshop participants can be active, engaged allies.

Inland Oasis. The Moscow-based organization was awarded $3,000 to assist its work in four areas: the purchase of additional HIV/AIDS testing kits needed for its ongoing HIV outreach program; medical transportation assistance to fulfill its contract to provide Ryan White Part B HIV medical case management services; building supplies and furniture for the group’s new community center; and purchasing supplies needed by its youth group.

ALPHA. Boise-based Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS received $3,500 to aid in the opening of a new office in Nampa, which will provide the fast-growing southern Idaho community, including a large Hispanic/Latino population, with its own centrally located agency for HIV and AIDS services. Funds will assist in providing six months of rent and utilities for the new office. ALPHA also operates an office and offers services in Twin Falls.

North Idaho AIDS Coalition. The Coeur d’Alene-based organization was awarded $3,000, to be used for the offering of more than 30 HIV 101 community presentations, as well as supplies and education materials for the presentations. Goals of the presentations are to provide audiences with accurate information regarding HIV, HIV transmission, and lowering risk factors for HIV.

Common Ground Community Chorus. The Boise-based choral group received $2,000, which it intends to use toward the purchase of a wireless microphone system. This LGBTQ-supportive/inclusive community chorus performs at a number of events each year and the purchase of a wireless system will help with the organization’s overall operating budget by reducing expenses relating to equipment rentals. Common Ground has been accepted as one of the choirs that will perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in May 2012 as part of Memorial Day festivities.

Steve Martin is Pride Foundation’s Regional Development Organizer in Idaho. Email Steve.