Iowa Pride Network to receive $100,000 grant from Liberty Hill Foundation

DES MOINES— Iowa Pride Network has received a $100,000 grant from the Liberty Hill Foundation’s Queer Youth Fund, a fund that makes multi-year grants to grassroots, local, state, or national nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (GLBTQQ) youth.

“We’re extremely thankful to be selected as one of this year’s recipients. This will allow us to broaden the scope of our leadership development and student organizing projects; and better meet the needs of Iowa’s GLBTQQ youth by hiring a full-time Outreach Coordinator,” stated Ryan Roemerman, Iowa Pride Network Director.

The Queer Youth Fund awards grants to innovative and effective leadership development programs or organizing projects that empower GLBTQQ youth to improve societal conditions affecting GLBTQQ youth and which make a long-term difference to their movement. A group of committed donors developed the fund to provide large multi-year grants to groups that address the multitude of issues queer youth face as they acknowledge and celebrate their sexuality and identity, and seek to become empowered leaders in their communities.

Other 2006-2007 grantees include:
• Peter Cicchino Youth Project in New York City where the grant will be used to support their Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative.
• Southerners on New Ground in North Carolina, where the grant will be used to create stronger infrastructure for GLBTQQ organizing in the South.
• Sylvia Rivera Law Project in New York City where the grant will be used to support their Transgender Youth Initiative.

Iowa Pride Network is currently accepting applications for the Outreach Coordinator position. To find out more, visit Iowa Pride Network’s website at: www.iowapridenetwork.org.

To find out more about the Liberty Hill Foundation, visit: www.libertyhill.org.