For Good: New initiative seeks donations to support LGBTQ+ community in Tampa Bay

For many nonprofit organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community, finding funding to support their missions is an ongoing challenge.

There’s the complex grant application landscape. The persistent need to cultivate interest from new donors. The lack of Trevor Price is a founding donor of The Plus Projec+.awareness of existing funding sources. All these complications can lead to missed opportunities for organizations who truly want to make a difference in the LGBTQ+ community.

That’s where The Plus Projec+ comes in. This new initiative, which was created within the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, is designed to serve as a funding source focused on filling gaps and unmet needs for organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community in Tampa Bay. It also aims to streamline the process for donors while increasing the impact of their gifts. 

“There’s a need in the Tampa Bay Area for more funding and an increase in awareness for organizations and nonprofits that serve the LGBTQ+ community,” says Trevor Price, a founding donor of The Plus Projec+. “We are committed to The Plus Projec+ because we believe it fills a void and creates a neutral way for people and businesses to strengthen the LGBTQ+ community.”

Molly James, Vice President of Philanthropy for the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, agrees that the initiative will foster a deeper connection between organizations with similar missions.

“Through our research, we realized there are a lot of nonprofits working in silos and they were missing opportunities to collaborate and share resources,” she says. “On the donor side, we had people who wanted to offer support but weren’t sure who was doing what and where their gift could make the most impact.”

Molly James is VP of Philanthropy for the Community Foundation of Tampa BayCurrently in its fundraising stage, The Plus Projec+ has already received nearly $100,000 from individuals and businesses, along with donors who have named the initiative in their estate plans. Grants awarded through The Plus Projec+ will fund specific organizational needs that don’t always qualify for financial support, such as operational money and funds for marketing.

James anticipates grant applications will begin to be accepted in the fall and will be administered by a “very diverse and independent grants committee.”

“The committee will be very neutral,” she says, noting that the entire initiative is driven by volunteers. “They’re looking forward to providing support to increase effectiveness for those nonprofits.”

In the meantime, the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, in partnership with Healthy St. Pete, will hold a series of community conversations to build awareness for The Plus Projec+ and get citizen input. They’ll also continue to raise money to fund the grants they’ll award later this year. 

“All the people and organizations we’ve talked to have been thrilled about The Plus Projec+,” James says. “Having an initiative like this shows that the Tampa Bay area is LGBTQ+ friendly.”

To find out more about The Plus Projec+ or to make a donation, click here.