AspenOut, a nonprofit that serves the LGBT community of the Roaring Fork Valley, is handing out more than $50,000 to grant recipients for the 2019 cycle.
Returning for its 43rd year in 2020, Aspen Gay Ski Week, Aspen OUT’s annual fundraiser, generates the funds to grant local, regional and national organizations that provide support to the LGBTQ community.
“Our board of directors is proud to announce AspenOUT will grant over $50,000 this year to local, state and national organizations,” said AspenOUT Executive Director Kevin McManamon, in a statement. “This includes scholarships to graduating seniors from area high schools — nearly $20,000.”
The list of grant recipients includes:
• Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program: Develops leadership and identity by providing training to youth in community broadcasting on KDNK; AZYEP broadcasts youth news programs about acceptance and tolerance in the Roaring Fork Valley.
• Tyler Clementi Foundation: Creates safe, inclusive spaces for individuals facing bullying, harassment and humiliation.
• Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund: Works to achieve equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services and public policy.
• Aspen Hope Center: Creates hope to those in emotional crisis and works to decrease the stigma of mental illness; the center offers a local youth outreach program for LGBTQ students called “Alphabet Soup.”
• One Colorado Education Fund: Provides educational programming on LGBTQ issues, conducts research to understand public opinion and develops campaigns to build public support for fairness and equality.
• Response: Assists survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Point Foundation: Trains, mentors, grants scholarships and offers leadership development for LGBTQ students of merit.
• You Can Play Project: Dedicated to ensuring quality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation and/or gender.
• Windwalkers: Provides equine assisted learning and therapy in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Aspen Film: Educates and entertains through film, as well as organizing a major movie event in every season.
• Family Equality Council: Advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families and drives policy change.
• Planned Parenthood Glenwood Springs.
• Carbondale Middle School.