The LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi at the Community Foundation for Mississippi (CFM) announced 2022 annual grants today totaling $135,000 for ten programs around the state of Mississippi. Decisions were informed by the Needs Assessment from the Mississippi LGBTQ Study.
“I am truly excited about the opportunity to meet the moment for many LGBTQ organizations across the state,” said Justin Lofton, chair of the LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi. “The LGBTQ community faces enormous challenges and I’m proud that the Fund is helping to close the gap and ease the burdens with its grantmaking. We look forward to continuing the work.”
2022 recipients include:
Campaign for Southern Equality (Ashville, NC): Manage a small grants process for new/emerging LGBTQ+ serving organizations.
Capital City Pride (Jackson, MS): Support groups for queer/trans kids and their parents.
Gulf Coast Equality Council (Gulfport, MS): Needs assessment for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity (Jackson, MS): Assist queer and trans immigrants in the state secure housing, health screenings, educational opportunities and legal services transitioning out of detention centers.
Link Centre (Tupelo, MS): Updated resource guide for Tupelo area/support groups for parents of queer kids.
Mississippi Positive Network (Statewide): Expand on the statewide network for people living with HIV by implementing a statewide calendar of events and train healthcare workers on the importance of networking for a new person diagnosed with HIV.
Mississippi Rising Coalition (Gulfport, MS): Create a mutual aid fund to assist LGBTQ+ people in the Gulf Coast with emergency needs when they arise.
Mississippi State University (Starkville, MS): Conduct surveys on LGBTQ+ health disparities and conduct research to give a better understanding of how to help LGBTQ+ patients in health care settings.
Mississippi University for Women (Columbus, MS): Seminar focusing on gender-affirming care and medical humanities from two experts.
Youth Improvement Services (Statewide): General operating funds and emergency housing money for trans youth.
Transforming donations into action, the LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi at the Community Foundation for Mississippi pools funds to support LGBTQ+ organizations across the state that address the needs of LGBTQ Mississippians. As the first and only grantmaking fund in the state focused on supporting organizations that improve the quality of life for LGBTQ Mississippians, the fund at CFM works as a pipeline that fuels and enhances the work of LGBTQ-focused organizations by professional stewardship of funds and other resources from outside donors.
More information about the LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi at the Community Foundation for Mississippi, including past grantees, is available at lgbtqfundms.org.
Members of the community are also encouraged to contribute to the LGBTQ Fund of Mississippi through CFM’s website, found here.