~ G/L Community Newsletter ~
Spring 2025
Dear Members and Friends,
This year, the G/L Community Fund celebrates its 30th anniversary of serving Wisconsin’s LGBTQ community. Founded in 1995, the Milwaukee based G/L Fund, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, has consistently pursued its mission to affect positive social change on behalf of the Wisconsin’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer populations.
Established three decades ago to assist in the creation of the Milwaukee LGBTQ Community Center, the G/L Community Fund has since expanded its mission by providing financial resources to an ever growing list of independent and grass roots organizations as well as other underserved groups. They represent all facets of LGBTQ life. It is currently the only local LGBTQ philanthropic entity that provides support to such a broad spectrum of community infrastructure.
The G/L Fund’s beneficiaries range from HIV/AIDS and other health focused groups like the Galano Club, a recovery program; to the visual and performing arts like the newly reconstituted Theatrical Tendencies; to Diverse & Resilient’s transgender affinity group, Sheba; and, most recently, the Wisconsin LGBT History Project that last year erected Milwaukee’s first LGBTQ historic marker. Others include Disabled American Veterans, the LGBT Community Center’s senior and youth services, Courage MKE, the Pride Parade, the Alliance School and spiritual groups. Many recipients of G/L Fund giving are volunteer run organizations without the means to receive corporate funding. A complete list is included with this letter.
On this historic occasion, the G/L Community Fund renews its commitment to that mission of advancing LGBTQ+ rights through promoting community services, culture and development. Please join us in celebrating our three decades of philanthropy by contributing to this year’s donation drive. Regardless of the amount, your gift improves our ability to provide financial support to our LGBTQ+ community.
The G/L Community Fund offers various options to insure your donation impacts LGBTQ lives positively and effectively. With the “Your Choice” card you select which organization(s) you wish to help. Of course, donations may be directed to a beneficiary not listed among our finding recipients. In that case, you may wish to create your own donor advised fund.
We would like to thank all our members and donors, who, through your kind generosity over the past thirty years, have been instrumental in maintaining and growing our community. We hope you will continue your commitment – today, more than ever before, it is desperately needed. We also encourage those who have not yet joined us, to consider becoming a member and help us further our mission.
Sincerely,
Si Smits, Executive Director
A special thanks to our 2024 campaign sponsors for this year’s fund drive. Auto Erotica (Mercury Dist), Biltrite Furniture, Brewhouse Inn & Suites, Gebhardt Financial, Goodman’s Jewelers, Harvey’s Central Grille, Interspond LLC., Mondel Group Inc., Valley Pest Control, Walkers Pint, Wheeler’s Tax Service.
To keep our organization on top of what's happening in the community we appreciate hearing your comments. Be part of our foundation by keeping us informed with news and any information you feel of interest to the community. If you are interested in helping the foundation in our goals and mission please e-mail us at glcommunityfund@hotmail.com
This year, the G/L Community Fund celebrates its 30th anniversary of serving Wisconsin’s LGBTQ community. Founded in 1995, the Milwaukee based G/L Fund, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, has consistently pursued its mission to affect positive social change on behalf of the Wisconsin’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer populations.
Established three decades ago to assist in the creation of the Milwaukee LGBTQ Community Center, the G/L Community Fund has since expanded its mission by providing financial resources to an ever growing list of independent and grass roots organizations as well as other underserved groups. They represent all facets of LGBTQ life. It is currently the only local LGBTQ philanthropic entity that provides support to such a broad spectrum of community infrastructure.
The G/L Fund’s beneficiaries range from HIV/AIDS and other health focused groups like the Galano Club, a recovery program; to the visual and performing arts like the newly reconstituted Theatrical Tendencies; to Diverse & Resilient’s transgender affinity group, Sheba; and, most recently, the Wisconsin LGBT History Project that last year erected Milwaukee’s first LGBTQ historic marker. Others include Disabled American Veterans, the LGBT Community Center’s senior and youth services, Courage MKE, the Pride Parade, the Alliance School and spiritual groups. Many recipients of G/L Fund giving are volunteer run organizations without the means to receive corporate funding. A complete list is included with this letter.
On this historic occasion, the G/L Community Fund renews its commitment to that mission of advancing LGBTQ+ rights through promoting community services, culture and development. Please join us in celebrating our three decades of philanthropy by contributing to this year’s donation drive. Regardless of the amount, your gift improves our ability to provide financial support to our LGBTQ+ community.
The G/L Community Fund offers various options to insure your donation impacts LGBTQ lives positively and effectively. With the “Your Choice” card you select which organization(s) you wish to help. Of course, donations may be directed to a beneficiary not listed among our finding recipients. In that case, you may wish to create your own donor advised fund.
We would like to thank all our members and donors, who, through your kind generosity over the past thirty years, have been instrumental in maintaining and growing our community. We hope you will continue your commitment – today, more than ever before, it is desperately needed. We also encourage those who have not yet joined us, to consider becoming a member and help us further our mission.
Sincerely,
Si Smits, Executive Director
A special thanks to our 2024 campaign sponsors for this year’s fund drive. Auto Erotica (Mercury Dist), Biltrite Furniture, Brewhouse Inn & Suites, Gebhardt Financial, Goodman’s Jewelers, Harvey’s Central Grille, Interspond LLC., Mondel Group Inc., Valley Pest Control, Walkers Pint, Wheeler’s Tax Service.
To keep our organization on top of what's happening in the community we appreciate hearing your comments. Be part of our foundation by keeping us informed with news and any information you feel of interest to the community. If you are interested in helping the foundation in our goals and mission please e-mail us at glcommunityfund@hotmail.com
Dear Members and Friends,
In 2023 Milwaukee garnered nationwide recognition as one of the country’s top LGBTQ+ friendly cities. It also received a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year. The criteria for these accolades include LGBTQ wellness infrastructures, arts and entertainment access and local political support. Combined they offer a quality of life for LGBTQ+ people that many other cities lack. In great part, Milwaukee achieved these amenities and services as well as political recognition through your continuing financial support of community causes through the G/L Community Fund (GLCF).
Founded nearly three decades ago, the G/L Community Fund, A 501(c)3 charitable organization, helps underwrite Wisconsin’s LGBT+ groups, programs and organizations through its annual distribution of funds. Last year, nearly twenty beneficiaries received your support through the GLCF. They represented the arts (Boulevard Theatre) and health (Galano Club and Vivent Health), youth and senior programs (Courage MKE and the LGBT Community Center), as well as the Pride Parade, Black and White Men Together, the Metropolitan Community Church, Veterans and other programs.
However, while Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community can boast about its achievements, those who oppose our rights and pursuit of happiness have been busier than ever. Throughout the country Republican controlled state governments have introduced hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills. Dozens have become law. In Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers has vetoed a number of bills passed by the legislature aimed at curtailing LGBTQ rights. Late in 2023 Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos lead the charge successfully blackmailed the University of Wisconsin (UW) system by withholding funding unless the UW dismantled its diversity, equity and inclusion programs designed to help LGBTQ and other minority students. Meanwhile, in 2022 nationwide hate crimes against our community based on sexual orientation increased by 13.8% and on gender identity by 32.9%.
Facing these unrelenting challenges, the G/L Community Fund launches its membership drive. The GLCF “Your Choice” card offers options to insure your donation impacts LGBTQ lives positively and effectively allowing you to select the organization(s) you wish to help. This year, the Wisconsin LGBT History Project and transgender programs have been added to the roster. Of course, donations may be directed to a beneficiary not listed among our designated recipients. In that case, you may wish to create your own donor advised fund.
In these extraordinary times, we hope we can rely on your continued generosity. If not a member already, please join the G/L Community Fund as a supporter. Please visit our website where you can learn more about the GLCF and also make your donation. We hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Si Smits,
Executive Director
To keep our organization on top of what's happening in the community we appreciate hearing your comments. Be part of our foundation by keeping us informed with news and any information you feel of interest to the community. If you are interested in helping the foundation in our goals and mission please e-mail us at glcommunityfund@hotmail.com
In 2023 Milwaukee garnered nationwide recognition as one of the country’s top LGBTQ+ friendly cities. It also received a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year. The criteria for these accolades include LGBTQ wellness infrastructures, arts and entertainment access and local political support. Combined they offer a quality of life for LGBTQ+ people that many other cities lack. In great part, Milwaukee achieved these amenities and services as well as political recognition through your continuing financial support of community causes through the G/L Community Fund (GLCF).
Founded nearly three decades ago, the G/L Community Fund, A 501(c)3 charitable organization, helps underwrite Wisconsin’s LGBT+ groups, programs and organizations through its annual distribution of funds. Last year, nearly twenty beneficiaries received your support through the GLCF. They represented the arts (Boulevard Theatre) and health (Galano Club and Vivent Health), youth and senior programs (Courage MKE and the LGBT Community Center), as well as the Pride Parade, Black and White Men Together, the Metropolitan Community Church, Veterans and other programs.
However, while Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community can boast about its achievements, those who oppose our rights and pursuit of happiness have been busier than ever. Throughout the country Republican controlled state governments have introduced hundreds of anti-LGBTQ bills. Dozens have become law. In Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers has vetoed a number of bills passed by the legislature aimed at curtailing LGBTQ rights. Late in 2023 Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos lead the charge successfully blackmailed the University of Wisconsin (UW) system by withholding funding unless the UW dismantled its diversity, equity and inclusion programs designed to help LGBTQ and other minority students. Meanwhile, in 2022 nationwide hate crimes against our community based on sexual orientation increased by 13.8% and on gender identity by 32.9%.
Facing these unrelenting challenges, the G/L Community Fund launches its membership drive. The GLCF “Your Choice” card offers options to insure your donation impacts LGBTQ lives positively and effectively allowing you to select the organization(s) you wish to help. This year, the Wisconsin LGBT History Project and transgender programs have been added to the roster. Of course, donations may be directed to a beneficiary not listed among our designated recipients. In that case, you may wish to create your own donor advised fund.
In these extraordinary times, we hope we can rely on your continued generosity. If not a member already, please join the G/L Community Fund as a supporter. Please visit our website where you can learn more about the GLCF and also make your donation. We hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
Si Smits,
Executive Director
To keep our organization on top of what's happening in the community we appreciate hearing your comments. Be part of our foundation by keeping us informed with news and any information you feel of interest to the community. If you are interested in helping the foundation in our goals and mission please e-mail us at glcommunityfund@hotmail.com