Pride United

A Matter of Pride. A Sense of Belonging.

Pride United is a collective fund that awards annual grants to nonprofit organizations supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, and/or Del Norte counties. We raise funds throughout the year and award grants during our Spring Community Grants Cycle.

Pride United is composed of members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, and our grant process is transparent, rigorous, and geared to supporting LGBTQ+ programs and initiatives that are addressing the most pressing needs in our five-county region.

Pride United is supported by an advisory board and a grant-making committee. With special focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, these boards and committees are seated by volunteer community members intended to represent all five counties in our service area.

Pride United 2022 Grantees:

Any Positive Change for Advancing Social and Economic Justice for Lake County LGBTQ+ Community which is a project of radical hospitality to stabilize and foster the financial abilities and security of Lake County LGBTQ+ community, with particular focus on maximizing youth’s educational opportunities and removing barriers which stand in way of success.

Food For Thought for HIV Nutrition Program which serves 800 low-income Sonoma County residents affected by HIV, who are primarily gay and bisexual seniors, with comprehensive, lifesaving nutrition services.

Food For Thought for Welcome Home Program which will begin providing free home-delivered groceries and meals to low-income, transgender clients who are recovering from gender-affirming surgeries.

Redwood Community Services for LGBTQ2S+ Employment Inclusion which is an employment and finance training program that will enhance opportunities for youth to gain employment, learn marketable skills for desirable trades, and gain supportive relationships and connections to employers.

TLC Child and Family Services for Project Flare which will re-invest in LGBTQ+ youth, families and staff at TLC while providing social workers and youth in rural counties with technical support, training, and leadership opportunities; efforts to undo aloneness and create a voice for our youth en route to financial and emotional stability.

Queer Humboldt for Micro-Grant and Mutual Aid program which provides $50-$200 in direct financial support to queer individuals and causes (with emphasis on queer related needs for BIPOC individuals, youth, the elderly & people with disabilities).

Community Matters for LGBTQ+ Student Sensitivity Training which provides virtual and/or in-person student-centered training model that harnesses student power to prevent and stop bullying that targets LGBTQ+ students.

Face to Face – Sonoma County AIDS Network for AIDS Emergency Fund which provides emergency cash payments of up to $500 to vulnerable LGBTQ+ clients living with HIV throughout Sonoma County. Demand for this program, which improves health and financial sustainability, is at an all-time high.

Food For Thought for HIV Nutrition Program which will serve 650 low-income Sonoma County residents affected by HIV, who are primarily gay and bisexual seniors, with comprehensive, lifesaving nutrition services.

On The Move/LGBTQ Connection for Proud Employment Initiative which will improve financial stability for LGBTQ people by providing a series of trainings to both employers and LGBTQ Connection participants in an effort to reduce discrimination against, and build welcoming environments for, LGBTQ job seekers in Sonoma County.

Positive Images LGBTQIA+ Center for LGBTQIA+ Youth and Family Gatherings which is collaborating with North Bay LGBTQI Families (NBLF) to bring together youth under 12 and parents. They will re-launch a current monthly program called Social Saturdays as an all-ages, family friendly event with facilitators from the community.

TLC Child & Family Services for Project Flare/Undoing Aloneness Campaign which will renew momentum to ensure LGBTQ+ Foster and LGBTQ+ BIPOC youth no longer feel alone. The virtual and in-person leadership opportunities and training events offered will propel youth past the sting of isolation towards confidence and financial stability.

Community Matters for LGBTQ+ Student Sensitivity Training- to electronically deliver a student-centered training model that harnesses the power of students to prevent and stop bullying that targets LGBTQ+ students

Face to Face for AIDS Emergency Fund during the COVID-19 Era- to support their clients needing emergency financial assistance

Food For Thought for HIV Nutrition Program- serving Sonoma County residents affected by HIV, who are primarily gay seniors, with lifesaving nutrition services

On the Move/LGBTQ Connection for LGBTQ Reach Out Initiative- serving LGBTQ Latinx and rural youth to implement systems change, collaborative events, and a local bilingual resource kit

Positive Images for Online LGBTQIA+ Support Groups- to support the continuation and expansion of online peer support groups for LGBTQIA+ youth and adults throughout Sonoma County and expanding into the nearby rural counties of Mendocino, Lake, Del Norte and Humboldt

TLC Child & Family Services for Project Flare/Share Your Flare- to create a legacy of visibility for LGBTQI foster youth in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake counties

Pride United Advisory Board

Joseph Summerill, Chair
Christine Bitonti
Madelyne Cromwell
Karen Fies

Kevin Jones
Beck Kageyama
Gary Saperstein
Grace Villafuerte

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For more information about how you or your organization can support Pride United, contact:
Maddie Wright, Director of Pride United / Resource Development Manager
madelyn.wright@unitedwaywinecountry.org