<div>Once again, our communities are under attack. The devastating impacts of the current administration have left many of us struggling. From organizations whose funding has been gutted from the backlash against DEI to entrepreneurs who are losing their livelihoods.
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<div>As the founder and executive director of YouthSeen, an organization that focuses on QTBIPoC mental health and wellness in Colorado, we have also been impacted with loss of funding that has been vital in our ability to support our community. In a space where our requests have been one of many, I am now turning to the community that has nurtured me.
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<div>This mutual aid is critical as our organizations are on the frontlines, not just local but on the national landscape. From political attacks on DEI, the rollback of LGBTQ+ protections, continued rising anti-Blackness and economic instability. Our organizations are often the first to show up for our people with housing, food, affirming health care and safety when institutions fail us. We are also the first to lose funding in times like this.
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<div>Supporting Black and Brown queer orgs through efforts like this are not survival, it’s protecting the very spaces that make our liberation possible. When we are underfunded, our communities lose lifelines. When we are resourced, our communities are more able to thrive and we all win.
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<div>This mutual aid is a collaborative effort of community supporters showing solidarity. We are once again coming together to fill the gaps left by institutions and funders who are pulling back their support. This needs to be bigger than one city, one community. This is a call to action that when institutions divest in us, we must invest in each other.
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<div>With this commitment to true mutual aid, we will support requests on a rolling basis. As funding and applications come in, we will distribute the request to organizations. The goal is to fund organizations up to $100,000.
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<div>We are prioritizing QTBIPoC 501c3's
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<div>Funds will be distributed via: ACH, wire transfer, direct deposit.
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<div>If you are an organization, please <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHghkS9tALrqySCuD5vuJlSu3lvyaEbTIYXEA6yyk3Qb37GQ/viewform?usp=dialog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apply here</a> .
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<div>The impossible becomes possible when we come together.
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<div>It is important for us to acknowledge those who showed us the way previously on mutual aid efforts. Thank you to <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid19-relief-fund-for-lgbtqi-bipoc-folks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amita Swadhin who launched the COVID-19 Relief Fun</a>d in 2020 and <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-artists" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ijeoma Oluo</a> who inspired people to fund raise for artists in Seattle. 
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Lisa Chakford

Elizabeth Parker

Anonymous

BIPoC & LGBTQIA Non-Profit Mutual Aid Fund

Still $1,970,583 to go. Help us build momentum.