Alliance Fund
2020 Impact Report
Note From Our Advisory Board
Who We Are The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ+) Alliance Fund connects donors with projects that benefit the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Arizona through annual competitive grant rounds. The Fund provides donors with a way to channel their charitable investments into efforts that are likely to affect the issues they’re most concerned with. The LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund was created in 1999 by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona with support from the National Lesbian and Gay Community Funding Partnership. The Fund addresses the chronic underfunding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender programs through philanthropy and endowment building. To date, the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund has awarded 194 grants, totaling $943,397, to more than 60 local organizations.
Dear Friend, When we reflect on the year behind us, we are reminded of the incredible sacrifices our Nation and world endured together. The resiliency of our queer and allied communities was put under a microscope in 2020, and we at the Alliance Fund have been working diligently to provide continued recovery and hope for our LGBTQ+ loved ones in Southern Arizona. In 2020, we celebrated our 21st year giving back to regional queer initiatives and programs. We honored this critical milestone in two trail blazing ways: we awarded $72,060 to 14 organizations—our largest grant-round since 1999—and we also awarded not one, but two, $10,000 grants—the largest investment we’ve ever made. Let there be no doubt: this progress is made possible because caring supporters like you have pitched in time and time again to help us get to today.
Alliance Fund Advisory Board Karin Uhlich Chair Kent Burbank Vice Chair Tabitha Fox Treasurer Cynthia Garcia Governance Committee Chair Kimberly Kotov Grants Committee Chair Deanna Lewis JP Martin Adam Ragan
Kristen Birner Emeritus Sylvia Mulka Emeritus Doug Noffsinger Emeritus Barbara Smith Emeritus
Staff J. Clinton Mabie President/CEO, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Our momentum is stronger than ever, and we are just getting started! We know that for every grant-cycle, there’s still tremendous unmet need among Southern Arizona’s LGBTQ+ communities—and that’s why our Board made another important decision this year: we hired our organization’s first Director, Andrés Cano, to lead us into our next bright, chapter. In the year ahead, we will be laser-focused on expanding our grantmaking, increasing capacity for our allied organizations, and ensuring equity for our queer communities as we recover from COVID-19. You are an instrumental part of this work, and we are so grateful for your belief in our grantees, and in our mission. We simply cannot do any of this important work without you. Thank you! Best,
Kelly Huber Senior Director of Community Investments, CFSA
Candace Shelton
Laci Lester Program Manager, Initiatives, CFSA
Ethan Smith Cox Development Committee Chair
Andrés Cano Director, LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund
Karin Uhlich LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund Advisory Board Chair
Kent Burbank LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund Advisory Board Vice Chair
Jason Thorpe
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The Alliance Fund Impact: Uplifting one LGBTQ+ voice at a time. 1999-2020 Total Grant-making:
$943,397* 8% Arts
31% Youth, Elders and Families
11% Transgender Issues 8% General Operating
11% Human Services
12% LGBTQ Community Building and Infrastructure
4% Political Advocacy
Grantee Spotlights
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Southern Arizona is in greater need than ever of ‘safer spaces’ for trans people, for queer people, for LGBTQ immigrants, and others facing daily persecution—that’s why we’re grateful to the Alliance Fund for your critical support of our programming.” – Bicycle Inter-Community Art and Salvage (BICAS), 2020 Grantee
15% Education * Unaudited
2020-2021 Grantees: Bicycle Inter Community Art and Salvage (BICAS) Chicanos Por La Causa El Rio Foundation Equality Arizona The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project Funded by Douglas Noffsinger & Roger Funk Museum of Contemporary Arts Tucson Our Family Services Funded by Kent Burbank & Vicente Talanquer
PFLAG Tucson Scholarship Pima Council on Aging Reveille Gay Men’s Chorus Funded by Gloria “Mick” Devore and Marge Sloan Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation Funded by the Noel Matkin-Jim Sincox Endowment Award Southern Arizona Gender Alliance Funded by Sylvia Mulka Southern Arizona Senior Pride
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Without legal representation, many detained LGBTQ+ asylum seekers will languish in detention—only to be forcibly returned to the conditions they fled. With the Alliance Fund’s support, we are able to give queer detainees the resources they need to stay in America.” – The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, 2020 Grantee
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Q&A with Alliance Fund Director Andrés Cano In July 2020, the Alliance Fund Advisory Board welcomed Andrés Cano as the organization’s first Director in its 21-year history. Cano is tasked with expanding the Fund’s philanthropic grantmaking, increasing the endowment, and furthering community presence and collaboration. He represents Legislative District 3 in the Arizona House of Representatives. What brought you to the Alliance Fund? The organization’s track record speaks for itself, and I wanted to be a part of the upward trajectory that the Alliance Fund is on. In our 21 years, we’ve supported 70+ grantees. In the year ahead, we’ll be surpassing $1 million in grants awarded since 1999. As our Advisory Board says, we’re “queer for good,” and we’re here to stay—I’m excited for the many more milestones ahead. What’s your vision for the Alliance Fund as its first Director? We’ve got to bring in more dollars to increase our grant-making, and I’m committed to working with our donors to grow our endowment so that we can do this in a smart, strategic way. There’s an assumption out there that our progress over the last twenty years perhaps means we don’t need the same level of investment— nothing can be further from the truth. Look at the last four years alone of the harmful efforts to roll back our ability to live and love freely. Our work is far from over, and our grantees have told us time and time again that they need our support now more than ever.
2020 Queer For Good: Coming Together Virtually Not even a pandemic could keep us apart—at least not virtually! On October 21, 2020, the Alliance Fund hosted its annual celebration in a live stream in accordance with public health guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 ‘Queer For Good’ celebration was our most successful fundraiser to-date, securing more than $33,000 with the support of our individual donors and community sponsors. Most importantly, we were able to honor our 2019-2020 esteemed grantees. In addition to being joined by more than 220+ registered online guests, we were welcomed by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, a longtime supporter of LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion. We extend our gratitude to the 30+ esteemed Members of our 2020 Virtual Host Committee, and wish to thank our loyal sponsors and donors who joined us. We are looking forward to seeing you again in 2021. Thank you!
2020 Queer For Good Sponsors Luminary Sponsor
Favorite book: ‘Call Me By Your Name’ by Andre Aciman—it helped me come out to my family and friends in high school. Weekend hobby: Reading the Sunday New York Times printed edition. It’s a several hour commitment, but I truly love it.
Rainbow Sponsors
2020 Doug Noffsinger Straight Ally Award Recipient: Richard Elías In 2020, the Alliance Fund Advisory Board awarded its Doug Noffsinger Straight Ally Award to the late Richard Elías, Chairman of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. “Richard was a faithful supporter of the Alliance Fund and longtime champion of Southern Arizona’s LGBTQ+ communities. We miss him so much, and it is truly an honor to present his family with this award,” said Alliance Fund Advisory Board Chair Karin Uhlich. Chairman Elías is survived by his wife, Emily, and daughter, Luz.
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Community Sponsors Cox Communications, Southwest Gas, Tucson Electric Power, Cynthia Garcia—in loving memory of the fabulous David Firkins, Tubac Art & Gifts Advocate Sponsors Center 4 Community Campus Connections, Speedway Veterinary Hospital, Timothy A. Olcott, Pioneer Title Agency Ally Sponsors Alexander | Carrillo Consulting, Edna Meza Aguirre & Paul Bennett, Westbound, Carchedi Estate Sales, Then When 2020 Impact Report
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Grantee Spotlights
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The population of LGBTQ+ seniors is growing substantially and, as the only organization run by and for this community in this region, Senior Pride is the center of efforts to meet increased needs for LGBTQ+ older adults.” – Southern Arizona Senior Pride, 2020 Grantee
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After multiple episodes of homelessness, James, a 24 year old transgender man, came to Our Family for help. Because of the support of the Alliance Fund, we were able to place James in an apartment and later help his partner and their child move in as well. After many months, the family qualified for our rapid re-housing program, enabling them to move into a larger apartment. Working with a case manager, James has set short and long-term goals for stability and is currently working on getting his GED to improve his employment prospects.” – Our Family Services, 2020 Grantee
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Alliance Fund
2021: Onward We’re on track for our most impactful year yet. Here’s where we are headed: • Assist grantees with continued COVID-19 recovery • Increase grant-making capacity • Convene LGBTQ+ Roundtable • Advance regional Diversity, Equity, Inclusion initiatives & trainings
How you can support the Alliance Fund: • Make a one-time gift today. Your donation is instrumental to our planning for the year ahead.
• Be a monthly sustaining donor. A monthly gift will go far in the long run.
• Include us in your planned giving. Get in touch with us to add the Alliance Fund to your will or trust, or to set-up an endowed fund.
Donate online at AllianceFund.org, or call us to process your payment by check or card: (520) 770-0800.
Thank you for your support!
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Gifts that made Alliance Funds Grants Possible Gifts of $5,000+ Kristen Birner and Colette Barajas Gloria “Mick” DeVore Sylvia Mulka Douglas Noffsinger and Roger Funk Bobbie & Don Vandegriff Gifts between $1,000-$4,999 Edna Meza Aguirre and Paul Bennett Joyce M. Bolinger and Lavina Tomer Andrew Broan Tom Buchanan and Robert Bell Kent Burbank and Vicente Talanquer Centene Management Company Chuzapalooza of Tucson Jim Cook and Randy Spalding Sevren and Dennis Coon Steven Eggimann and Dianne Van Tasell Sheldon A. Fishman & Robert Kafes Cynthia Ann Garcia Michael Godnick Bonnie Kay Charitable Fund Curtis F. Mack Philip Moul and Robert Stolarski Timothy A. Olcott Thaddeus Pace Jennifer Prill Melody Robidoux Foundation Fund Anne Maley-Schaffner and Timothy Schaffner David Taylor and Joan Donnelly Karin Uhlich Anne and Rich Zimmerman Gifts between $250-$999 Jessica Abad James R. Allender and Kenneth Hellwig Kelly Ault and Elizabeth Firkins Tom Carchedi Estate Sales John Matthew Carlton Arlan Colton Ethan Cox and Michael Bilharz Dorothy & CM Charitable Fund Anne Dougherty James J. and Louise Glasser Dr. Joseph Heller Elizabeth Leinweber John Marus David Alex Matuszeski Nancy J. Minghetti W. Scott Neeley and Stephen T. Russell Miki Odawa Kenneth M. Peoples Patrick and Peter Powers-Lake Susan M. Przewlocki
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Speedway Veterinary Hospital PC Jason Thorpe JoLene Unruh and Linda R. Phillips Liane Wong Gifts up to $250 Anonymous Donor Paula A. Aboud and Terri L. Berg David Adix Laura Alexander, MA David Scott Allen and Mark J. Sammons Barbara Anderson Arzate Design Group Patricia Atkins and Thomas Brightman Lana Baldwin Joseph Bass, Jr. and Judith Amy Bass Nancy Bissell Claudine Boger Diane E. Breier Malinda F. Briggs Em Martin Brott Jim Buckwalter Elizabeth Burden Eli Burke Patti Caldwell and Bob Gary Leslie A. Carlson & Beth Carey Jenny Carrillo Rachel Chánes and Yvette Jackson Debra Chargin W. Mark Clark and Stacy K. Parrish-Clark Erica Cornejo Travis Craddock Kathryn Crofoot Andrew Cronyn and Richard Power Lynn Davis Suzanne S. Deconcini and Joseph A. Aurilio Susan Dunn and Melissa Griebel Tucson City Council Member Paul Durham Barbara Eckstein and Marnie Lamm Leslie Edwards and Sarah Bahnson Emilia Eldridge Chelsea Farrar Anne Ferro Bob Fischella Kevin Flanagan Kristel Ann Foster Michael Foster Jami Ober Gan Trust Isabel Garcia Maurice Goldman Brenda J. Goldsmith Steven Gottlieb and Laura J. Penny Francis Graeber Melanie Gray
July 1st, 2019- June 30th, 2020 Did we make a mistake? We hope you’ll forgive us and let us know by contacting acano@cfsaz.org
Jay L. Gray Ray and Kathleen Green Suzanne “Zippy” Gross Dunnell Grossmann Phil and Anne-Marie Hall Bill Haller and John Jackson Lew Harper Janet Hawley Emily J. Herrell and Maggie Evancho Cynthia Hogue and Sylvain Gallais Bryan S. Howard and Brad Daughtry Kelly M. Huber and Michael LeBlanc Sally Hunter Peggy Hutchison Jerald Jergens and Ronald Gilbert Pat Jessup Carla Johnson and Andrea Mannell Billy Dewayne Kidd and Andrew J. DeCraene Allen B. Kinzey Jim Kolbe Kimberly Kotov Jessica Kranz Judith M. Kroese, PhD and Dick Kroese Mark S. and Maria M. Kross Mark S. Kross Emerson Kuhn Kareina Lee Daniel R. Lee and Jill Newby Bruce Lehmann and Thomas Holaday Robert J. Leto DeeAnn Leuzinger Dr. Martin R. and Barbara R. Levy Carol L. Lohmann Kathy and Michael Lokale Lyle Family Rev Trust Amanda Marie Marbut and Elise T. Vo JP Martin William A. Mason Laurie Mazerbo Judith McDaniel and Jan Schwartz Nancy J. McDonald Glen A. and Annyce Meiners Stuart J. Meinke Maureen T. Metcalfe and Katherine Gregg Stephen J. Metz Dr. Richard B. and Judith D. Meyer Thomas F. Moga Beth Morrison Cheryl Nichols Kimberle and Lane Oden Luis F. Ortega William F. Parker and Larry N. Deutsch Dr. Lona Claire Parsons
Karakwenneta I. Peterson Shellie Pierce Charles Poster and Mary Goethals Ben Pratt-Ferguson Barbara J. Prebis and Elizabeth L. Kennedy Tamara Prime Danielle Raines James, Donna and Christopher Rochester Anne V. Roediger Tucson Mayor Regina Romero Connie Rose Stephanie Rosenberg Christina Rossetti Starr Sanders and Andrew Silverman Tucson City Council Member Lane Santa Cruz Richard and Stella Schaefer Sean Seeba Amanda Shauger Candace M. Shelton and Virginia M. Kuhlmann Susan Sirkus Frances Sjoberg and Gail Browne Richard Small Kay F. Smith Barbara D. Smith Mark H. Smith Brian Sowle Dr. Barbara Starrett and Ms. Jo Ann Ellison Betty Stauffer and Judy Moses Bonnie D. Stutzman Kathleen A. Thomson and Bernice D. Greenberg Virjinya Torrez Richard H. Tracy and Stephen Barksdale Lizette and Jose Trujillo Allison Vaillancourt Oliver Wagner Karl and Jen Wagner Laura J. Waterman and Charles Siegfried Joan Watson and Katherine Ray Dr. Diana L. Webber Michael Webb Richard Wegner and Kevin Maxey Peter M. Weiblen Janice Welchert Diana Wilson Victoria Hadd-Wissler and Craig A. Wissler Virginia L. Yrun
We also wish to thank our donors who have included the LGBTQ+ Alliance Fund in their estate planning.
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Thank You to all our generous donors for supporting the Alliance Fund!