BLOG FROM AROUND OUR STATE
TPIF convenes community-building events around Texas to introduce TPIF and define our mission to harness and network the vast resources of the Texas LGBTQ communities. We also present key findings from our IMPACT! Texas Needs Assessment and discuss our grant program. We strive to meet local leaders; the front line individuals and organizations providing services to - and advocating for - our many communities and the 900,000+ LGBTQ citizens of Texas. Talk to us about planning a visit with your community!
San Antonio
8/22/2018
Town Hall
An gathering of 80 LGBTQ community members, organization leadership and interested parties attended joined TPIF at the San Antonio Town Hall on the Rackspace Corporate Campus. The program included an overview of TPIF’s mission and role in the Texas LGBTQ community, highlights of our 2017 needs assessment and a panel discussion featuring representatives of San Antonio area leaders Anel Flores (Co-Founder and Grant Coordinator, LezRideSA), Michele Durham (Executive Director, BEAT AIDS), Sandra Whitley (Executive Director, Thrive Youth Center) and Robert Salcido, Jr. (Executive Director/Board Chair Pride Center San Antonio). The event concluded with a presentation of the foundation’s current funding priorities and near term plans, an audience Q&A and a beer, wine and nacho bar reception.
Austin
6/13/18
Town Hall
Texas Pride Impact Funds held a Town Hall style event at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, presenting results from the 2017 Texas LGBTQ Community Needs Assessment and distributing copies of its first publication IMPACT! Texas Statewide LGBTQ Community Needs Assessment (2018) to an audience of LGBTQ agency leadership and staff, press and interested community members. The program included an overview of TPIF’s mission and role in the Texas LGBTQ community, a panel discussion featuring representatives of five Austin area LGBTQ organizations and a presentation by researcher Dr. Kara Sutton, Sociologist with UT Dallas’ School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences Department. The event concluded with a presentation of the foundation’s current funding priorities and near term plans, an audience Q&A and a wine reception.
The panel discussion included Austin area leaders Liz Elsen, M.ED. (Director, UT Gender and Sexuality Center), and Kathryn Gonzalez, MBA (Operations & Program Director, Out Youth), Priscilla A. Hale, MSW (Director, allgo), Loretta Holland, CFRE (Executive Director, Waterloo Counseling Center) and Chuck Smith (CEO, Equality Texas). Liz shared insight into significant issues queer students encounter during UT life; Chuck discussed challenges establishing and maintaining engagement with state-wide volunteers for initiatives such as Equality Texas’ “Transvisible Project” across a geographically vast state; Kathryn shared successes and challenges working with the LGBTQ youth population which has high rates of unemployment and homelessness; Priscilla expressed key recommendations for community building including articulating the inclusionary concept of "providing space" for the numerous communities that make up queer people of color; and Loretta illustrated the increasing demand on Waterloo Counseling's services and innovative solutions underway to reach far beyond Austin with mental health services.
Houston
3/4/18
'Join the FUNd' Brunch
La Griglia Restaurant on West Gray was the setting of Texas Pride Impact Funds' Houston 'Join the FUNd' Introductory Brunch on March 4, 2018. Organized by the Houston Regional Leadership Council, the group of 80 attendees included the Hon. Annise D. Parker, Council Member District 1 Robert Gallegos and Judge of Harris County Civil Court Candidate Jim Kovach. The wildly successful event received over $70,000 in donations and pledges including a significant number of First Hundred Funder commitments! Plans are underway for a Houston Town Hall and additional First Hundred Funder events.
Dallas
9/23/17
'Join the FUNd' Reception
Graileys Fine Wines, a unique wine concept with locations in South San Francisco and Dallas, was the kick-off venue for Texas Pride Impact Funds' First Hundred Funders campaign, a multi-year financial commitment for supporters who believe in the strategic, long-term purpose of TPIF. The Dallas 'Join the FUNd' happy-hour style event featured a donated selection of curated champagnes and wines paired with light hors d' oeuvres to accompany the TPIF presentation, followed by a Q&A session with the 45 attendees.