PRISM Fund Grant Awards Announced

The PFund Foundation Board of Directors has approved 17 general operating grants totaling $125,000 to organizations from the upper Midwest that are located in or serve rural LGBTQ+ communities. Supported with funds from the PRISM (Promoting Rural Interconnections for Sexual Minorities) Fund, these grants will be used to boost organizational capacity and build networks of rural-serving queer organizations across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the First Nations therein.

IOWA

Lavender Legal Center | Cedar Rapids, IA | $12,500

Lavender Legal Center provides direct representation, advocacy, and referrals, with a priority for serving those with low income and our LGTBQ youth.

LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library | Iowa City, IA | $5,000

LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library is a community archive and lending library with a mission to collect, preserve, and share Iowa’s queer history and increase access to queer literature.

GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Taskforce (Iowa Safe Schools) | Des Moines, IA | $7,500

The GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Taskforce provides safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environments and communities for LGBTQ and allied youth through education, outreach, advocacy, and direct services.

MINNESOTA

New Prague Area Chapter of PFLAG | New Prague, MN | $4,000

The mission of the New Prague Area Chapter of PFLAG is to create a just, caring, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

PFLAG Marshall Buffalo Ridge | Cottonwood, MN | $4,000

PFLAG Marshall Buffalo Ridge works to build on a foundation of families united with LGBTQ+ people and allies to educate and advocate.

QUEERSPACE collective | Minneapolis, MN | $7,000

QUEERSPACE collective creates space for LGBTQ+ youth to feel safe and empowered to be their true selves.

Gender Justice | St. Paul, MN | $10,000

The mission of Gender Justice is to advance gender equity through the law.

NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakota Human Rights Coalition | Fargo, ND | $10,000

The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition works to effect change so that all people in North Dakota enjoy full human rights.

QSpace Bismark | Bismark, ND | $10,000

QSpace’s mission is to improve the lives of queer and queer-allied youth by giving them a space to be their most authentic selves.

Welcome Connection | Fargo, ND | $5,000

Welcome Connection builds inclusive and welcoming communities for LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities through grassroots organizing in North Dakota.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Uniting Resilience | Rapid City, SD | $12,000

Uniting Resilience works to address homophobia across the state of South Dakota.

The Transformation Project | Sioux Falls, SD | $10,000

The Transformation Project supports, educates, and empowers the transgender community and its allies in South Dakota and the state’s tribal nations.

LGBTQ+ Family Connections Center, Inc. | Box Elder, SD | $3,000

The LGBTQ+ Family Connections Center strengthens and empowers youth (however they identify) to overcome obstacles by providing housing, supportive counselings, community education, and advocacy.

WISCONSIN

LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin | Racine, WI | $3,000

The goal of the LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin is for every LGBTQ+ person in SE Wisconsin to know there is a small but mighty LGBTQ+ center in Racine that provides supports groups, safety zone training, advocacy, and community-building events.

Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center | Eau Claire, WI | $10,000

The center builds networks and camaraderie among and across the various sects of queer identities.

Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools Inc. | Madison, WI | $9,000

GSAFE works towards making schools safer and more affirming for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC students.

Philadelphia Community Farm | Osceola, WI | $3,000

The Philadelphia Community Farm restores health and vitality to people, animals, plants, and the earth through the development of a life-sharing community, biodynamic farming, and cultural, artistic, and educational activities.