Holiday Gift Giving – Donations that are LGBT friendly

11/08/09
As the holidays draw near, we are asked to support a variety of programs that need holiday donations.  I know this because I am one of the people asking.  I work for a medium sized nonprofit human service agency which serves single adults and families with children – persons with mental illness, homeless families, at risk youth and more.  Many of our folks lack the support networks that make the holidays so special so we, as their support system, ask our supporters to help.  It seems so simple.

I’m also one of those people who won’t support the Salvation Army or the Boy Scouts because they actively discriminate against LGBT persons (and sometimes receive public funds to do so).  Walking by the red kettles is incredibly difficult. I feel like a complete jerk until I think of my sisters and brothers feelings when they experience the institutional discrimination these groups practice. I smile because the bell ringer isn’t to blame for institutional policies (probably not) and wish them a Happy Holiday as I walk past.

Finding an organization to support during the holidays that embraces the LGBT community requires some effort, but it can be a way to make your holiday donation go a little further toward helping our community – you might “adopt” the family with the gay child or your might simply help stretch the dollars of an organization that invests $$ into domestic partner benefits.

So what do you do?

First, ask.  More than a few of your LGBT friends (and allies) probably work for non-profits.  Ask if their organizations have holiday projects and then ask about the “LGBT-friendliness” of the organization.  Not only do you get firsthand insight, you have the added bonus of supporting the work of your friend.  As a supervisor, I certainly appreciate staff who invest their energy into helping me find donors for these particular projects.

Second, take a look at the LGBT focused organizations in your community.  They have food pantries and clothing closets and all sorts of projects that could benefit from your holiday support.  Google, phone book or local pink pages can lead you to an organization directly serving our community.  Maybe a few bags of groceries or office supplies isn’t what you have in mind, but you never know how you can make an impact.

Third, look for indicators.  When you google “giving tree” and your city name, find a contact and ask pointed questions.  Does the organization include sexual orientation and gender identity in their non-discrimination policy?  Do they offer domestic partner benefits?  Do they serve LGBT consumers?  I never shy away from questions and I’ve had no problem redirecting people to other holiday projects that are a better fit for their vision.  Some of this information may be available via their website or printed materials if you prefer to do the research.  Or it should be available, right?  If it matters.

Finally, use the power of Google.  Look in the local paper for recent stories about human service agencies.  Check out the blogs and Facebook for events spearheaded by LGBT civic groups and find out who they benefit. Conversely, see what the local LGBT performers and artists are doing and to benefit what groups.

The most important recommendation I can make is to please find a way to give.  Yes, it certainly makes a difference in the lives of those on the receiving end.  But having run holiday projects for several years, I can personally attest that the benefits of giving transcend the effort you may invest to find the right match.  I’ve seen the sheer joy when a carload of officemate pull up, jump out and start unloading.  Their care with wrapping, their careful designation of which gift belongs to which recipient and their shared pleasure are far and away some of the best moments of the year.

You might organize your office, your book club or even your immediate family to do a collective project or simply reach out on your own.  Organizations having Giving Trees, Adopt a Family, Food Basket and many other projects available.  Don’t be afraid to suggest your own.  I have a group of students who won’t be in town during the holidays, but they came up with the idea of preparing “stocking stuffers” that we can distribute during our party.  Another local restaurant is donating turkeys for our group homes to prepare a holiday meal, while staff contribute small gift items to help us ensure everyone has something to open.

It feels good to help other people.

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Sue Kerr works for Pittsburgh based Community Human Services Corporation which is very active with the local LGBT community, particularly those experiencing homelessness or mental illness.  For more information on their holiday projects, visit  http://www.chscorp.org//Holiday%20Giving.html Feel free to “ask” her via email skerr@chscorp.org.