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MEDIA RELEASE
December 15, 2025
Media Contact
info@l-fund.org
Exciting News: The L-Fund Joins The Center!
Palm Springs, CA – We're thrilled to announce that The L-Fund and The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert have officially merged!
Effective July 1, 2026, this partnership means that The L-Fund's vital programs, which support cis, trans, and queer-identifying lesbians in the Coachella Valley area, will continue to grow—now with even greater resources and reach.
The L-Fund's dedicated leadership team is making the move, too. Co-chairs Mei Ling Tom and Robbin Burr will join The Center's board in January, and Dr. Karyl E. Ketchum—a longtime California State University Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies and The L-Fund board member—will lead The L-Fund as its new Director.
"We are entering a new era," said Mei Ling Tom, co-chair of The
L-Fund's Board of Directors. "For years, The L-Fund has been driven by passion to uplift cis, trans, and queer-identifying lesbians in need. Now, by merging with The Center, we are amplifying that mission with greater capacity, stability, and a renewed vision."
Don Zuidema, chair of The Center’s Board of Directors, added: “By uniting The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and The
L-Fund, we strengthen a shared mission rooted in support, equity,
and resilience for our entire community. Together, our combined reach and resources ensure that every person has access to the advocacy, care, and opportunity they deserve.”
Community response has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic, including from The L-Fund's founding members, who gathered at town halls this fall to celebrate this exciting next chapter.
Together, we're building a stronger future for our community—and we can't wait to see what comes next.
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