January 2024 Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 1
The L-Fund is Excited to Announce our 2024 Award Recipients as well as a Special Guest and a Special Auction Prize!
The Bobreta Franklin Community Service Award:
Judy Dlugacz
Over the past 40 years, Judy has helped achieve groundbreaking victories for the LGBTQ+ community that have enabled lesbians and LGBTQ+ women throughout the world to live in freedom. Judy is one of the founders of women’s music company Olivia Records, which grew to become one of the industry’s leading independent labels. Olivia produced 40 albums and sold more than one million records by artists such as Cris Williamson, Meg Christian, Teresa Trull and Linda Tillery, and Judy produced hundreds of women’s music concerts and events, including four sold-out shows at Carnegie Hall. In 1990, Judy combined two of her passions – music and travel – and co-founded Olivia Travel. Over the past 33 years, Olivia has taken 350,000 women on more than 350 vacations, entertaining them with legends and new talent from within the community – creating visibility, connections, and safe spaces for lesbians and LGBTQ+ women throughout the world.
The L-Fund Visionaries Award:
Shann Carr
Shann Carr has performed exclusively queer comedy headlining on over 100 gay cruises and thousands of queer conventions, programs and celebrations around the world for 40 years. Shann has written for multiple publications, produces films, live events, festivals, and home tours for Modernism Week PS, all while being voted CV Independent’s Best Realtor 2020-23. In all these endeavors Shann keeps the queer community front and center. Shann is an engaging community activist and uses her humor with intention to connect people. She has worked with Cinema Diverse Film Festival for over 15 years, and has done service with virtually every nonprofit LGBTQ organization in the valley. In addition to having her hands in every queer charitable endeavor, you will leave her comedy show really laughing and liking her. The L-Fund has benefited from Shann’s many talents over the years. She currently helps with The Debra I. Moore Grant for the Arts and assists in vetting applicants.
The L-Fund Visionaries Award:
Sweet Baby J'ai
For over three decades, Sweet Baby J’ai has made a profound impact on the LGBTQ+ community through music and education. Co-founding and directing esteemed festivals like the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival and Sunset Music Fest, she now spearheads Sweet Baby J’ai Presents Music & Comedy Fest. Her dedication to empowering women is evident through the Women in Jazz All-Stars lineup, honoring their contributions. “It’s important for the world to see a women-of-color-lesbian-run company as one of the premiere festivals,” she emphasizes. Beyond event production, Sweet Baby J’ai is an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, actress, and US Jazz Ambassador, vital in spreading jazz traditions globally. Honored with the Living Jazz Legend Award, induction into the California Jazz and Blues Hall of Fame, and prestigious awards like the HRC and BOD Legacy awards, J’ai has made a lasting impact.
Join us as we celebrate these impressive women on March 9, 2024 at Margaritaville!
IMANI RUPERT-GORDON
We are proud to announce that Imani Rupert-Gordon, the Executive Director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), will be our special guest.
THERE WILL BE A LIVE AUCTION FOR AN OLIVIA CRUISE!!
Get tickets through our website, scan the
QR code or use this link:
https://one.bidpal.net/lfundgala2024/
The same link also provides information on Gala sponsorship and Gala screen ad opportunities.
We will have an incredible entertainment lineup, casino gaming (win free raffle tickets for prizes), a silent auction, and a delicious dinner with complimentary wine!
December 2023 Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 3
In this issue
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- A 2024 Luck Be a Lady Gala Update
- November Recap
- Meet a Recent Recipient
- Board Member Spotlight: Chris Hunter
- A Special Thank You to 3rd Party Fundraisers
- Remember Us With Year End Contribution
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We Are So Excited About Our 2024 Gala!
Tickets, tables and sponsorships are already being sold! So many people had a blast last year that they don’t want to miss out. You should not either!
Go to our website, scan the QR code or use this link to: get tickets, purchase a table, become a sponsor or pay for a gala screen ad!
The fabulous and funny Mina Hartong will again be our 2024 LUCK BE A LADY GALA Emcee!!
November Recap! A Month to Remember
We participated in PRIDE festivities and the parade. We also submitted a panel for the AIDS Memorial Quilt sponsored by the Mizell Center. We also had a blast at our annual Golf Tournament held again at Woodhaven.
Meet a Recent Recipient! LEAP Recipient Esther
Esther is a registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist. Last fall, she finished her Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy and will be fully licensed by this time next year. One of her goals is to be fully fluent in Spanish so she can become a competent LGBTQ+ affirming bilingual therapist and be able to help more people. The L-Fund is paying for her to go through an intense 12 month fluency program through Learncraft Spanish which will help her achieve her goals.
Board Member Spotlight: Chris Hunter, Co-Chair and Events & Fundraising Chair
Chris Hunter is a West Coast woman, having lived in Oregon, Washington and California. Her adult working life was spent in Seattle, WA. Over the years, she has worn many hats with a strong emphasis on event planning and management. She has organized and managed social and athletic events for children and adults with physical disabilities. She was a Women’s Music Distributor and Concert Promoter. She also worked for many years in Event Management at Seattle Center, a 74 acre urban park that includes a host of venues for sports, concerts and conventions.
FROM CHRIS:
My wife and I have a travel trailer and love to spend our summers exploring new places and revisiting favorite places. We take our small whitewater crafts with us and enjoy going down river whenever we can.
We vacation in Maui almost every year. We love snorkeling and swimming with the turtles. We miss our beloved Lahaina.
Deb and I participated in an amazing bike to barge tour of Belgium in September. We hope to do it again!
A Special Thank You To Lip Gloss, REAF, Palm Springs Crave & Club Skirts - THE DINAH
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The L-Fund has two major fundraisers a year: its annual golf tournament and its annual gala. As a small charitable non-profit, it is difficult to fund more than those two events. Therefore, we rely on the kindness of donors and supporters like you but we also rely on the generosity of 3rd parties who put on fundraisers for us.
In September, Lip Gloss held a drag event at Oscar’s. So much fun!! Thank you Steven Betts and Dani Blue! In October, Palm Springs Crave had a fun Halloween dance at Impala. Thank you Beverly Sweigart. In November, REAF had a fabulous PRIDE party at a swanky Palm Springs home. Thank you Ken Henderson & Joe Sellers. Also in November, Club Skirts – THE DINAH raised monies for us through a JELLO shot special at one of its pool parties. Thank you Mariah Hanson. Through these events we were awarded close to $12,000!! With Gratitude, The L-Fund Board of Directors |
A HEARTFELT PLEA
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MAY 2023 Newletter Volume 4, Issue 1
Our mission is to empower cis, trans, and queer identifying lesbians through financial crisis assistance as well as grants in the areas of health and wellness, the arts and education. FOUNDED BY LESBIANS FOR LESBIANS The L-Fund envisions an enriched future for the lives of our fellow cis, trans, and queer identifying lesbians.  In this issue: An update from Robbin Burr, a retired corporate leader & pro-bono consultant to The L-Fund Amount of Money Given in 2022 Our 2023 Gala Recap Programs Updates Including LIN and Other Grants New Board Member Spotlight A Special Thank You to Our Community Save The Dates – Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events A Quote From Robbin Burr Pro-Bono Consultant   “I’m enormously proud of The L-Fund’s Board of Directors and the hard work they have been doing! They recently completed a new Strategic Plan and have now equipped themselves with a road map to grow their programs and staff the board with the skill sets needed to help propel the organization successfully into the coming years!” Special thanks to Robbin, a retired non-profit and corporate leader, for being an invaluable source of knowledge and expertise to The L-Fund! In 2022, The L-Fund gave out almost $95,000.00 to Grant recipients! From the $95,000 given, $52,000 went to Lesbians in Need, our most important and critical program, which also includes our Health & Wellness program. Additionally, $28,000 went to Education recipients and $15,000 went to Art recipients. We couldn’t do it without our generous supporters, so thank you! If you would like to contribute to The L-Fund’s life-altering efforts, click here to donate.  Luck Be A Lady 2023 Gala Racap! On February 25, The L-Fund held its Luck Be A Lady gala. It was our annual fundraiser and we were honored to have been sponsored by Eisenhower Health, Brothers of the Desert, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, The Hollywood Times and DAP Health. We raised $65,000! We were also elated to have received many in-kind donations including The UPS Store (downtown Palm Springs), Fetch Girl Lighting Design, Bright Event Rentals, and In Sync Social Media. We were grateful for our many silent auction donors and gift certificates from Over the Rainbow bakery and Chef Tanya’s Kitchen. We could not have pulled off this event without our entertainment, Elaine Gibbs & Band, emcee Mina Hartong and without Nicholas Snow/PromoHomo TV. A big thanks also to all of our wonderful volunteers. Our attendees learned a lot about our award recipients – Dr. Jill Hingston, Rhonda Ceccato, and Kim Kieler – as well as heard heartwarming stories from some grant recipients. It was an amazing night of dancing, casino gaming, eating and enjoying libations while also being reminded of what an amazing community we have in the desert. We hope you join us again in 2024! To see photos from the 2023 Gala, click here! Grant Recipient Updates How The L-Fund’s Programs Have Helped So Far In 2023 Lesbians In Need (LIN)  We are committed to providing assistance to numerous Lesbians In Need, our very first grant program that started it all. So far in 2023, we’ve helped LIN recipients with $5,883.00. The monies went to help pay rent and a security deposit, help with clothes for a new job, and help with much needed house repairs. Our recipients are always so incredibly grateful for the help that The L-Fund provides. And often times it is paid forward! If you know any lesbians in crisis who could use financial assistance, click here for more info about the Lesbians in Need (LIN) program. L-Fund Education Assistance Program (LEAP) We recognize education as an important stepping stone in improving lives and individual autonomy. To date in 2023, we have given $3,185.00 to pay for a laptop (and accessories) and to pay for an applicant’s outstanding tuition so she could graduate with her class. If you know any lesbians in need of educational assistance, click here for more info about the LEAP program. Debra I. Moore Grant for the Arts The L-Fund envisions a future in which lesbians, in all of their diversity, are free to express the full range of their talents and potential. The arts is a powerful segue to self-discovery and healing and we’re proud to help recipients realize their goals.  Artwork by Wendy Wonder So far this year, we’ve given $2,858.00 towards: an applicant’s community newsletter and putting on events in the Coachella Valley (movie club, book club, hiking, etc.), an applicant who needed frames and shadow boxes for an upcoming art show, and another applicant’s construction of a 10 piece sculpture. If you know any lesbian artists in need of a grant, click here for more info about the Debra I. Moore Grant for the Arts. Health & Wellness Established in 2020 to provide financial support in the areas of health and wellness. So far this year, we’ve helped by paying $3,065.00 to cover 3 months of dementia day care and to pay off a surgery invoice to avoid collection efforts. If you know any lesbians in need of a grant, click here for more info about the Health & Wellness grant. Meet Our Newest Board Member: Jen Hughes  3 Fun Facts! I’m on the show ‘911 Rescue’ I played many tournaments on a wheelchair tennis team Spending time with and training my doggies fills my heart Jen graduated from Cal State San Bernardino in Social Work and National Paralegal College in Paralegal Studies with her Bachelor’s in Legal Studies. She owns California Legal Docs, with the main office located in Palm Desert, but serving all of California remotely. Her love for the community and law has given her the drive to work hard and provide peace of mind to those dealing with the legal system. Growing up in a diverse community and her life experiences, have propelled her mission to give back. She is excited and feels honored to work with The L-Fund and provide assistance in the community that is so close to her heart. A Very Special Thank You To You  The L-Fund would like to thank you, the community, for opening your hearts and wallets to those in need. Your generosity has been felt in so many different ways, and it’s because of you that our recipients feel cared for, heard and valued. There have been many times where we were told how our help impacted our recipients and the opportunities we helped provide. We are truly humbled that they feel the embrace and love by the community. It’s because of you that our recipients are able to thrive, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The work we do cannot be done without the willingness and support of the community to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. You are the manifestation of the phrase, “It takes a village.” We are humbled by your efforts and truly grateful for all you have done and continue to do. With Gratitude, The L-Fund Board of Directors If you would like to contribute to The L-Fund’s life-altering efforts, click here to donate. THE L-FUND SAVE THE DATES GOLF TOURNAMENT 11/19/23 – Woodhaven Country Club, Palm Desert GALA 03/09/24 – Margaritaville Resort, Palm Springs More information as available on our website, click here for Upcoming Events.  The L-Fund grieves with the local community in the shocking loss of Gail Christian. Our hearts go out to Lucy and to all who love her and will miss her. The L-Fund exists only with the support of our generous donors. Help us continue this important work. CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE L-FUND The L-Fund P.O. Box 362 Palm Springs, CA 92263 (760) 304-8487 L-Fund.org Connect with us L-Fund.org | P.O. Box 362, Palm Springs, CA 92263 |