Through our Regional Leadership Councils (RLC) and board activities, we create community-building events to network the precious resources of our LGBTQ+ communities across Texas. We connect local leaders, front line individuals and organizations providing services to - and advocating for - our many communities and nearly 1,000,000 LGBTQ+ citizens of Texas.
Lubbock
6/17/21 & 7/7/21
West Texas RLC Launch
TPIF President Ron Guillard, Vice President Judy Sherman, and Houston Board Member Bryan Hlavinka joined local Board Members Jody Randall and Randall Gentry in Lubbock, meeting with 15 community members for the launch of the West Texas Regional Leadership Council. The kick-off event afforded two TPIF grant recipients the opportunity to share the significant impact that TPIF funds have on their operations. Representatives from the TTU Office of LGBTQIA Education & Engagement and East Lubbock Art House offered remarks and insight into each organizations' work in the community.
On July 7, the community members got to work discussing goals and the first year goal was established: Develop strategies to be more representative in both geography and identity for the entire West Texas region.
El Paso
July 23, 2019
Community & Ally Roundtable
Texas Pride Impact Funds initiated a series of convenings for El Paso area LGBTQ nonprofits and community organizers. Held at the Foundation Room of the El Paso Community Foundation, attendees discussed a collaborative initiative for LGBTQ El Paso and TPIF presented its mission and described what we hope to accomplish in regions across the state. Katie Herron, EPCF Program Assistant, presented the EPCF Roundtable Program.
Houston
8/9-11/19
Board Retreat
A cocktail reception for Houston donors with the TPIF board of directors kicked off the board retreat in Houston. Key topics for the weekend included TPIF's Vision Statement, a Cultural Humility Workshop and Strategic Vision discussions.
Galveston
11/1/18
Philanthropy Southwest Conference
TPIF participates in a historic, first-ever LGBTQ+ Subject Matter breakout session. Founded in 1949, Philanthropy Southwest is the association of grant makers in the Southwestern US with hundreds of member organizations across the region.
San Antonio
8/22/18
Town Hall
80 LGBTQ community members, organization leadership and interested parties joined TPIF at the San Antonio Town Hall on the Rackspace Corporate Campus. The program included an overview of TPIF’s mission, funding priorities and role in the Texas LGBTQ community. A panel featuring representatives of area leaders Anel Flores (Co-Founder and Grant Coordinator, LezRideSA), Michele Durham (ED, BEAT AIDS), Sandra Whitley (ED, Thrive Youth Center) and Robert Salcido, Jr. (ED/Board Chair Pride Center San Antonio). The event concluded with a presentation of the foundation’s 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.