Sapphire Fund Announces Beneficiaries

Find out which local LGBT organizations made the cut

Last week, Philadelphia’s Sapphire Fund presented several local organizations with checks totalling $6,000 each during a ceremony at the William Way Community Center. Since 2002, the fund’s been supporting the efforts of organizations focused on the health and well-being of Philadelphia’s LGBT community. The beneficiaries for this year include:

The Mazzoni Center: As one of the largest LGBT healthcare facilities in the country, Philly’s Mazzoni Center offers a wide variety of medical and mental health services on a sliding pay scale. The center is also one of the only ones to specialize in transgender issues.

The Attic Youth Center: For young LGBT locals looking for a safe and supportive community, the Attic promotes teamwork and acceptance when bullying and other issues can sometimes make life outside the center difficult for younger people throughout the region.

The William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center
: As the hub of LGBT life in the region, the William Way offers cultural and educational events on a daily basis for the community and its allies.

“The Sapphire Fund is honored to continue to support these extraordinary organizations and the work they do for so many,” says Domenic Gallelli, the Sapphire Fund’s board president. “The work they do reaches so many stakeholders and has for such a consistent period of time. Further, these organizations rely heavily on the financial support of the community and our straight allies. As always, we are so grateful for the generosity of those who have supported and continue to support the Sapphire Fund via donations or as volunteers. We are also excited to roll out a full calendar of new and innovative events for 2012.”

He adds, “Our board prides itself in creating event programming that caters to the broad spectrum of the LGBT community, from youth and LGBT adoption to seniors in every segment of the community.”