OUT Fund Makes Grant to RaiseAChild.US
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) December 23, 2013 -- OUT Fund members have announced a grant of $7,500 for general operating support to RaiseAChild.US, a nonprofit that encourages the LGBT community to build families through fostering and adoption.
The OUT Fund is a giving circle comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds who are committed to leveraging resources and expertise to make a positive impact in the community.
The OUT Fund's focus is to support organizations and projects that serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities in Los Angeles County. The giving priorities are to support projects or organizations that address at least one of the following six issue areas: LGBTQ youth services; family issues including adoption; school issues, including anti-bullying; transgender issues; marriage equality; and immigration. The Fund is a donor-advised fund of the Liberty Hill Foundation.
Liberty Hill manages more than 60 donor-advised and restricted funds such as the OUT Fund that are established by individuals, families and businesses to achieve their charitable aspirations while benefiting from 35 years of philanthropic expertise. Donor advised grants are recommended by donors to address specific issues in consultation with Liberty Hill staff.
“We are delighted to support the visionary and productive work of RaiseAChild.US,” says Out Fund Co-Chair and Liberty Hill board member Wendy Chang. “The organization has clearly demonstrated its expertise in finding homes in the LGBT community for the many foster children in Los Angeles County who need permanent families.”
Since 2011, RaiseAChild.US has engaged more than 2,000 prospective parents nationally and become a leading organization for public education and advocacy on behalf of the 400,000 children awaiting foster and adoptive homes. RaiseAChild.US campaigns put images of LGBT families into public spaces through PSAs, print media, and outdoor advertising. Its Parent Advocacy program encourages and nurtures prospective parents when they sign up for information at events or on the website, and offering support throughout the certification and matching process.
“We are honored to receive the recognition and backing of the OUT Fund,” says Rich Valenza, Founder and CEO of RaiseAChild.US. “Through the OUT Fund, we are receiving support back directly from the LGBT community and its generous allies.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration for Children & Families, there are 400,000 children in our nation’s foster care system. More than 104,000 of these children are available and waiting to be adopted. Families certified for either foster or adoptive placements are in short supply.
According to 2010 U.S. Census data, children are being raised in over one million LGBT-headed households. While LGBT parents may encounter resistance from child welfare workers in some communities across the U.S., California law provides children who are in need of loving parents equal access to foster and adoptive families, regardless of the sexual orientation of the parents.
RaiseAChild.US works with foster and adoption agencies who have earned a Seal of Recognition in LGBT cultural competence through the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s “All Children – All Families” (ACAF) initiative. To date, ACAF includes nearly 70 participating agencies across the country and has awarded 30 seals of recognition.
For more information, visit RaiseAChild.US.
Corinne Lightweaver, Raise A Child Inc., http://www.RaiseAChild.US, +1 (323) 417-1440, [email protected]
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