LGBT Giving Circle and its Fund for Greater Rochester
The LGBT Fund for Greater Rochester was created at the Community Foundation in 2011 by a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and allies. Through grants from this fund, the LGBT Giving Circle hopes to bridge diversity and cultivate community.
Our Mission
We unite donors to support organizations that serve, are inclusive of, or are allied with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community to enhance and strengthen our region.
Our Vision
Through our sustained support, we will become the region’s largest private funder of organizations that improve the lives of LGBT people and cultivate a better community.
What is a Giving Circle?
A giving circle is a group of like-minded individuals who pool their money and decide together how it should be distributed.
The LGBT Giving Circle would like its impact to be felt now and in the future. To do that, annual contributions in the form of memberships will be evenly split between grantmaking for the current year and endowment for the future.
Giving circles include social, educational and engagement opportunities that connect participants to their communities, while increasing their understanding of philanthropy and community issues.
Leadership and Committees
The LGBT Giving Circle leadership is provided by a Steering Committee with two co-chairs and standing committee chairs, most of whom serve a two-year term. The current leadership team is comprised of:
- Co-Chairs Angela Bonazinga and James M. Stewart
- Grantmaking/Evaluation Committee Co-Chairs Michael Hardy and Cathy Lewis
- Membership Committee Co-Chairs Sue Dambrowski and John Williams
- Public Relations Committee Co-Chairs William M. Valenti
- Recording Secretary Annette Miller
- Finance Liaison Shirley Edwards
Want more info?
Look for our members who will be wearing these colorful buttons at events around town.