Since 2012, The L-Fund has provided emergency financial assistance to ci, trans, and queer identifying lesbians in crisis across the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. Seeking to provide help beyond emergencies, financial support has expanded to include education assistance, health and wellness aid, and support for lesbian artists. Founded by lesbians for lesbians, we work closely with the community at large to improve the lives of our sisters. Please find out more about us.
SEE ALL THE 2025
LUCK BE A LADY GALA PHOTOS
Our Financial Assistance Programs
Vision Statement
The L-Fund envisions an enriched future for the lives of cis, trans, and queer-identifying lesbians.
Mission Statement
The L-Fund empowers cis, trans, and queer-identifying lesbians through financial crisis assistance as well as assistance in the areas of health and wellness, the arts, and education in the Greater Coachella Valley.
Recipient Stories
Lexa
Lexa is a 27-year-old EMT who recently became a paramedic. Lexa needed help while she paid for courses and county, state, and national certifications, and while waiting for her higher paramedic salary to kick in. The L-Fund stepped in with $3,100 in assistance to pay for car payments, car insurance, cell phone, gas, and food. We know she’ll do great things!
Seen here with Board Member Gwen Kibbee.
Brina Simon
Brina Simon, a recipient of The L-Fund. The L-Fund assisted her with the purchase of the Pants Up Easy System which allows for a safe way to lift herself to pull up her pants. This equipment cost approximately $3,300 and is a valuable accessory that provides Brina with more independence.
| More About Brina’s Story: We would like to share Brina’s story (with her permission) with you to illustrate the ongoing need for resources and support that exceeds what The L-Fund can provide. In 2023, Brina was an avid cyclist who rode a mountain bike over ten miles each morning and had a love for intense muscle exercise. She then found herself confronted with a “challenge” of a lifetime. Brina sustained a devastating spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed with chronic nerve pain, muscle spasms, and a total loss of independence. Brina was confronted with a new reality: the ability to get out of bed, take a shower, and use the bathroom, in addition to navigating life in every other way possible. Brina applied for assistance from The L-Fund, and the Board was able to meet with her to better understand her challenges. The L-Fund was able to help. However, she needs more help to assist her in her living situation. They include renovations for bathroom accessibility and a ceiling hoist to lift and carry her from her bed to the bathroom. These substantial renovations are beyond The L-Fund’s financial resources; however, Brina was able to locate a resource called HelpHopeLive and registered for the campaign for medical fundraising for the expenses that insurance doesn’t cover. Together, we can continue to make a difference for Brina. Please consider assisting our “sister” in her campaign at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/25425/ |
Yvonne Buchanan
A $1,000 award from The L-Fund helped Yvonne produce and document “Being Seen,” an exhibition and performance by the Mojave Artists of Color Collective (MACC)—an intergenerational BIPOC group based in the Morongo Basin. Under Yvonne’s leadership, the exhibition and performance
were well-attended and very successful. In Yvonne’s words, “MACC and I are very grateful for this opportunity from The L-Fund.”
Terri Wells
Terri is a former recipient of our LEAP award in March 2021($1,243 for a laptop). Since then, she has earned Associates Degrees in both Psychology and Health Sciences from College of the Desert. Terri currently works as a Perinatal Surgical Technician in Labor & Delivery at Desert Regional Hospital. Before starting nursing school, she requested financial support to finance the full registration fee for an intensive phlebotomy training program ($1,745) that would assist her in saving more money for nursing school. Considering her accomplishments and work history, we considered her most deserving of receiving our assistance once again!
Eva Vargas
Eva is a dancer and choreographer. She requested funding to support the Desert Dance Collective and the execution of an upcoming performance at the Flat Black Art Studio in Palm Desert.
This included studio rental for her and fellow performers to rehearse her post-modern choreography, and the purchase of costume elements and the flooring and knee padding to keep them all safe. ($906)
Their performance on May 31st incorporated her post-modern background with her Mexican heritage influence and her thoughts on gender expression. It fulfilled her hope to keep shining a light on queer lesbian artists.
Jessie Yamamoto
Jessie is a trans lesbian who needed $2,500 paid towards her tuition at Idyllwild Arts Academy where she will be studying creative writing and acting. Jessie wants to use her life experiences and be a voice for other kids like herself. Her dream is to be a stand up comedian and hopefully be a cast member on SNL!
A SPECIAL NOD TO A LONG-TIME SPONSOR
Eisenhower Health is a not-for-profit, comprehensive healthcare institution that includes the 463-bed Eisenhower Hospital, the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center at Eisenhower, and the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower. Situated on 130 acres in Rancho Mirage, and with outpatient clinics across the valley, Eisenhower Health has provided a full range of quality medical and educational services for 50 years for residents and visitors to the greater Coachella Valley. Eisenhower recently earned the LGBTQ Health Care Equality Top Performer Designation in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index and is a proud supporter of The L-Fund.
Eisenhower Health Events Calendar
The L-Fund exists only with the support of our generous donors.
Please help us continue this important work.