This year, for the first time, the Community Foundation is partnering with Out Boulder County to host “The Gayla.” The evolution of the foundation’s annual Open Door Fund dinners, “The Gayla” will benefit LGBTQ+ programs of Out Boulder County, in addition to a host of grantees of the foundation’s Open Door Fund.
Since 1996, Community Foundation Boulder County has stood with our LGBTQ+ community through the Open Door Fund. Today, thanks to a strong, committed group of volunteers and donors, the fund has surpassed its goal of a $1M endowment.
It all started in 1992, when Colorado voters approved an amendment to the constitution that would have allowed discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. In response, the Community Foundation applied for a matching grant opportunity issued by the Tides Foundation to ignite positive action. From there – raising $25K from both gay and straight community members through small dinners that developed into the popular Open Door Fund galas – the bootstrap operation was on its way.
This year, for the first time, the Community Foundation is partnering with Out Boulder County to host “The Gayla.” The evolution of the foundation’s annual Open Door Fund dinners, “The Gayla” will benefit LGBTQ+ programs of Out Boulder County, in addition to a host of grantees of the foundation’s Open Door Fund. At the sold-out event on April 20, Seagate Technology will receive the Corporate Changemaker Award[S1] , recognizing its active emphasis on inclusiveness, and Colorado’s First Gentleman Marlon Reis will be honored with this year’s individual Changemaker Award[S2] . Reis – Gov. Jared Polis’ partner – has served on Out Boulder County’s Board of Directors, and worked with the Community Foundation to support local LGBTQ+ organizations. “The Gayla” will further feature headliner comedian Paula Poundstone.
“From seniors to youth, our LGBTQ+ community continues to face persistent challenges, including disproportionate incidents of hate crimes,” says Jeff Hirota, CEO, Community Foundation Boulder County. “Additionally, according to the foundation’s TRENDS Report, LGBTQ+ high schoolers report higher rates of dating violence, including sexual assault, than their straight peers.
“Through the Open Door Fund, we’re working alongside other local nonprofits to support our LGBTQ population by building community, facilitating dialogue, fundraising, and grantmaking.”
As a longtime grantee of the Community Foundation, Out Boulder County specializes in educating, advocating, and providing services, programs, and support for Boulder County’s LGBTQ+ communities. “From youth and young adult programming to a range of support groups – including for seniors – to addiction recovery, and social and spiritual programs, we encourage empowerment,” says Mardi Moore, Executive Director, Out Boulder County. “By partnering with the Community Foundation this year, ‘The Gayla’ is sure to be more exciting and galvanizing than before – not only benefitting our LGBTQ community members, but also for their friends, families, advocates, and allies.”
