MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The L-Fund is to empower cis and trans lesbians through financial crisis assistance, grants for education, the arts, and health and wellness programs.
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April 2021
Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 2
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Greetings from the Board Chairs |
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On behalf of the entire The L-Fund Board of Directors, we want to thank you for your continued support of our philanthropic outreach efforts to our community. This newsletter highlights life-changing stories of lesbians who have received our assistance and strives to keep you informed and updated about upcoming L-Fund activities and events. We have many plans we're excited to share with you soon!
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In this issue:
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Meet the woman who is probably our funniest Lesbians in Need recipient ever. No joke!!
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Be inspired by our latest LEAP grant recipient - a lesbian who's overcome many obstacles to get back to school.
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Get inspired and celebrate poetry & women's history with a poem written exclusively for The L-Fund.
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Help us find applicants to benefit from the $5,000 grant The L-Fund just won!
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What’s happening at The L-Fund: We've got a lot to be thankful for!
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Find out how you can suggest nominees for The L-Fund's annual Trailblazer Awards.
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Get to know one of our board members in Meet the Board.
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Keeping the Laughs Going
Lesbians in Need Recipient Shann Carr
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Comedian Shann Carr is a 22-year resident of Palm Springs who co-hosts a podcast called "I Love Gay Palm Springs." During a recent podcast in which she interviewed The L-Fund board member, Love TaShia Asanti, Shann shared that she was a recipient of assistance from The L-Fund in early 2020.
When the pandemic hit our local community, Shann found that many of her income streams dried up. As a Realtor, Entertainment Producer, Radio Host, Community Organizer and an in-demand MC for film festivals, cruises and comedy shows, all of her scheduled gigs were cancelled. To add insult to injury, her health insurance quadrupled.
Shann, a volunteer and consistent supporter of The L-Fund since its inception, all of a sudden found herself as the one in need. She never imagined she would be a LIN (Lesbian in Need) recipient and was hesitant to ask for help. Former Executive Director/CEO, Barbara Carpenter, insisted that she apply. Barbara told her, “If you don’t apply for help, I’m going to tuck money under your doormat from my own bank account!”
The LIN grant helped Shann get quickly back on her feet. Shann is grateful for The L-Fund and that the organization was there when she unexpectedly needed it. The L-Fund appreciates Shann and all of the time and energy she has donated to the organization. She's been there for us, and we're thankful we could return the favor.
If you know any lesbians in need of emergency financial assistance, click here for more info about our Lesbians in Need program.
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From Recovery Back to School
Meet LEAP Recipient Terri Wells
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If you know any lesbians in need of an educational scholarship, click here for more info about LEAP.
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The L-Fund's LEAP program (The L-Fund Education Assistance Program) recently purchased a new laptop for College of the Desert (COD) student Terri Wells.
A survivor of a rough childhood in Australia and a battle with alcoholism, Terri began her sobriety journey on Christmas 2018. She quickly became an active participant in Alcoholics Anonymous and in the gay AA community.
The concept of paying it forward and helping others has become her calling. She works full-time at a local recovery center and enrolled at COD to obtain her Associates Degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling. She plans to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
Terri’s tuition cost is covered but she needed a more sophisticated laptop that would allow her to perform complex school assignments. The L-Fund was thrilled to provide Terri with a new laptop to support her education. We know she will continue to make a difference in people’s lives and we have no doubt she’ll accomplish her lofty goals. Brava, Terri!!
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Celebrate Women's History Month
and National Poetry Month
Poet and The L-Fund's Board Co-Chair, Doris K. Reed, composed these beautiful words in honor of the March & April celebrations.
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CELEBRATING WOMEN
Just like the flowers
we are planted with aplomb –
Each a seed in nature’s garden
ALL meant to bloom….
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The L-Fund Awarded a $5k Grant! |
We're proud to announce The L-Fund just received a $5,000 grant from the Collective Recovery Fund created by the Desert Healthcare District (DHCD) and Regional Access Project (RAP) Foundation. The collaborative fund was created in response to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 public health crisis on nonprofit organizations. Grants were awarded to community-based organizations prioritizing serving vulnerable populations.
Here's where we need YOUR help! The L-Fund has only three months to distribute this $5,000 grant to one or more lesbians who have struggled directly as a result of COVID-19. We need more applicants to do this, so please encourage any women you know who could use some financial assistance to apply TODAY! Email us at info@l-fund.org for information on any of our four programs below or visit L-Fund.org.
- Lesbians in Need (LIN)
- The L-Fund Education Assistance Program (LEAP)
- The Debra I. Moore Grant for the Arts
- Health and Wellness Fund
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In March, our Board of Directors honored The L-Fund's outgoing Executive Director/CEO Barbara J. Carpenter for her years of service to our organization. We celebrated small (& safely!) with a delicious meal at the lesbian-owned & operated Dickey's BBQ in Rancho Mirage. Many thanks to Lisa Weaver and her crew!
Our heartfelt gratitude for all that you do for our community, Barbara!! We'll miss you!!
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The L-Fund cannot exist without our donors, advertisers and sponsors! After the challenges brought on by the pandemic, the support we provide to the Coachella Valley lesbian community is more meaningful than ever. As Spring comes upon us, we want to thank several donors who have generously given to The L-Fund during 2021. Our heartfelt thanks especially go out to: |
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- Frederick Biggs
- Susan Burnside
- John McManus
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- The Milano Foundation
- Phillip Rodgers
- Kent Sanders
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Other donors have come forward in very generous ways. We see that many of our brothers, both gay and straight, have remembered how lesbians stepped forward in every way during the early decades of the AIDS Crisis, even with fear, when HIV was called GRID, and most people were afraid to touch, hug or feed our brothers. We were there for you. Thank you for now helping The L-Fund. |
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Call for Trailblazer Awards Nominations |
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The L-Fund invites our community to nominate deserving community members and/or businesses for The L-Fund Gala Awards 2022. Nominees are needed in three categories:
The Bobreta Franklin Community Service Award
Bobreta Franklin (1945-2013) was an African-American lesbian feminist who became one of The L-Fund Co-Founders in April of 2012. She spent her life in love and service to her communities. The L-Fund proudly honors her memory by offering this award to lesbians whose lives and work have been similarly dedicated to the lesbian community.
The L-Fund Ambassadors
Awarded to community members or businesses who have offered outstanding commitment, actions and efforts on behalf of The L-Fund and the LGBTQIA community.
The L-Fund Visionaries
Awarded to the people passionate about giving back and instrumental in creating and/or funding The L-Fund programs.
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Meet the Board:
Magi Raible, Founder & CEO of LiteGear Travel
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The moment I heard about The L-Fund I was hooked! It is such a brilliant solution to lift up a marginalized population in need. As a young lesbian, I navigated life without a safety net or support system. I’m fortunate to be where I am today. I am dedicated to lifting up, raising the volume for and supporting lesbians. And I am in absolute awe of our very generous community - Every dollar you contribute not only helps these women in need, but makes them feel seen, cared for and worthy of being helped and supported. It is such an honor for me to serve with an amazing group of women that make up The L-Fund board of directors. We are a very passionate team with big plans as we launch from the vision and work of the founders. |
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Be safe. Be well.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
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