The Our Fund Foundation promotes philanthropy, manages enduring investments, and conducts impactful grant-making to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people in South Florida. This year, the Our Fund Foundation announced a total of $539,700 in grants through its 2023 LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Fund in support of innovative LGBTQ+-specific programs and initiatives in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Through the grants, Our Fund strives for health and wellness outcomes that allow LGBTQ+ people in South Florida to live full, healthy, and happy lives. The grants, ranging from $7,000 to $50,000, were distributed among 16 deserving South Florida nonprofits during a reception at Our Fund’s headquarters in Wilton Manors.
These nonprofits include:
Alliance for LGBTQ Youth that offers LGBTQ+ youth free, comprehensive mental health and care coordination services. AQUA Foundation for Women-A one-day conference by and for transgender and nonbinary individuals focused on facilitating access to and education around issues impacting them.
Black LGBTQ Liberation - A health and wellness initiative centering BIPOC LGBTQ+ leaders and community members in panel discussions and workshops.
Chainless Change - Peers Optimistically Working to End Recidivism (POWER)
which leverages the strengths and resilience of justice-involved individuals, pairing them with dedicated peer specialists. The Humanity Project organization which expands the nationally acclaimed anti-bullying program to support LGBTQ+ students in Florida public schools. Jewish Community Services of South Florida - Lambda Living- which offers support services for LGBTQIA+ seniors in Miami-Dade County. Lambda Miami-Dade which works on offsetting the cost of providing and maintaining a safe place for 12-step recovery for the LGBTQ+ community. Maven Leadership Collective - An anti-stress initiative for community leaders on the frontlines of preserving democracy or operating in toxic organizational culture. Poverello - Which offers general operating support for mission-aligned projects and social services tailored to assist LGBTQ+ individuals in need. Pridelines - which is an expansion of HIV/STI screening, follow-up counseling, referral, and linkage to care services provided by mobile health services.
PRISM - Content Creation Task Force which creates data-informed, evidence-based, and culturally competent web, social media, and print content around sexual health for the youth in South Florida. SunServe which works to create a safe space for the community to explore feelings, and build skills, and strength through small and large group workshops. The Rapha Center which is a Health symposium providing education and testing information regarding HIV and STIs. Sunshine Cathedral - Food Sharing - which operates with the goal of reducing food insecurity among the HIV-affected community.
TransSOCIAL- Trans Emergency Relief Fund - which offers support services and assists transgender residents in accessing gender-affirming care. University of Miami - Helping South Florida’s Transgender Women Address Mental Health, Violence, and Sexual Health Risks Study that addresses mental health, violence, and sexual health risks among transgender women in South Florida. YES Institute - Youth and Family Resilience Initiative which offers effective tools and strategic resources for family relationships for thoes struggling with LGBTQ+ identity. #Queer Up Health