Wednesday, February 17, 2016
“We are so excited to be bringing our national network of funders to Minneapolis for our Funding Forward conference! Minnesota has been an important bellwether for LGBT rights in the U.S. The state has not only laid an important groundwork for recognition of the full rights of LGBTQ Minnesotans, it has also trail-blazed impressive models for organizing and delivering services to our most vulnerable LGBTQ communities. In that context, Minneapolis is the perfect place for our first gathering of LGBTQ funders since the historic victory for marriage equality last June.
“This is also the first time Funding Forward has been held anywhere in the Midwest. Even though one in five LGBT adults lives in the Midwest, the region saw a 10 percent decrease in its LGBTQ funding between 2013 and 2014. Currently, the region only receives 14 percent of local and statewide LGBTQ funding. As such, it feels extremely timely to be bringing Funders For LGBTQ Issues' annual gathering of grantmakers committed to LGBTQ issues to Minneapolis. Funding Forward 2016 promises to be provide a rare opportunity for national funders focused on LGBTQ issues to connect with Minneapolis-based grantmakers and discuss how best to support Midwestern LGBTQ communities.”
- Ben Francisco Maulbeck, president, Funders for LGBTQ Issues
