Despite being in a worldwide health crisis for nearly two years, many basic services and procedures have gone overlooked and underfunded.

Cancer screenings are down and mental health problems are on the rise, often because people have feared COVID and avoided public places like doctor offices and health clinics. On Aug. 12, Our Fund Foundation aided the efforts to improve South Florida’s health by handing out $355,000 from its LGBTQ+ Health & Wellness Fund.

“Our Fund seeks to improve the quality of life for the local LGBTQ+ population through responsive, relevant, and impactful philanthropy and grantmaking,” said David Jobin, president & CEO of Our Fund Foundation. “We recently conducted a comprehensive, researched-based Needs Assessment which identified critical gaps between needs and services in South Florida’s LGBTQ community. The need for expanded health and wellness programs which address unique LGBTQ+ community health risks and disparities ranked highest, and we are extremely proud to help support these wonderful non-profits and initiatives.”

Sixteen grants, ranging from $8,000 to $40,000 were awarded to community groups and their LGBT-specific programs. Recipients included Barry University’s Cultivating Compassion Project, Equality Florida’s Health Equity Program, and Transinclussive Group’s U-Matter Project.

Since 2011, Our Fund Foundation has worked to “promote a culture of philanthropy by uniting donors with organizations advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties and supporting causes within the LGBT community.” 

For more information on Our Fund Foundation and the grantees, visit our-fund.org.