Youth Outlook’s Post

Did you know that with every event ticket you purchase from Sesh Coworking the proceeds go directly supporting local non-profits, community organizations and businesses for women, communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community through providing them space??? Why do these organizations need complimentary or discounted space? Because often times the funding they receive from grants or the government is restricted to hiring, wages, or equipment. Not very often does it provide funding for space to hold board meetings, community gatherings, workshops or volunteer events. https://lnkd.in/g2_uuBtU

Dear Community, As you have likely heard, The Equality Crew has been at risk of closing our doors due to lack of funding and difficulty maintaining operating capacity. Over the past month, we have had many hard conversations about the sustainability of our programs. At the core of what we do is the idea that kids of all identities deserve fun spaces where they can be themselves. As the only organization in Arkansas dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, we recognize how essential the work we have done is for the community. Every member of our team is dedicated to ensuring that these spaces can continue regardless of the outcome of The Equality Crew as a non-profit. The feasibility of continued operations has become less and less likely for several reasons:  Financials–we have struggled to bring in enough income to cover our core operating costs. Leadership–our board has had significant turnover (95%) which has impacted our ability to meet operating needs. The truth of our situation is that, without a sizable amount of financial support and an expansion of a committed leadership team, The Equality Crew will cease to function by September 30th at the latest. As an organization founded by youth from our community, it is only fitting that we turn to you all to discuss the future of The Equality Crew and how we can create a path that honors everyone. In order to facilitate this conversation, we’d like to invite you to attend a town hall meeting to discuss these challenges in detail and explore possible solutions to keep access to these resources available. We are hosting one in person meeting and one virtual, in order to give the most community members an opportunity to engage in these discussions. Please follow the links below to register and let us know you would like to have a voice in the future of The Equality Crew. - August 7th - In Person from 6-7:30PM - Center for Nonprofits @ St. Mary's, Rogers, AR: https://lnkd.in/gtDTPs2H - August 11th - Virtual from 12-1:30PM - Google Meet: https://lnkd.in/gjDH8TSt If you are unable to attend the virtual or in-person town hall but would like to provide your thoughts, please reach out to hello@theequalitycrew.org with any feedback. 

Need help including LGBTQIA+ people in your mission? This week’s “Sincerely, Queers” blog discusses just how you can accomplish just that and start increasing your revenue. 5-minute read here: https://lnkd.in/gDdAQ_GU #LGBT #LGBTQ #Donors #Nonprofit #Fundraising

🚨💰GRANTS & MORE GRANTS - 7/10/24 The 2024 CO— 100 recognition program celebrates the achievements of 100 small and medium-sized U.S. enterprises, spotlighting their innovation and role in driving economic growth and community development. A total of ten businesses will be awarded $2,000 each, with one business receiving $25,000 as America’s Top Small Business of the Year. Applications can be submitted online through July 22 https://lnkd.in/eYFpFak2 The She’s Connected by AT&T grant offers a chance for woman-owned small businesses with 50 or fewer employees to win $50,000, a year of AT&T service with a new device, and a feature episode on AT&T’s #ShesConnected series. The application deadline is July 10. https://lnkd.in/e_vm_ubQ Giving Joy is a charitable organization that empowers women across the world to dream big and create positive change in their communities through grants. These grants, ranging from $250 to $500, can be used to start or expand businesses, organizations, or community projects in any sector that focus on benefiting women, girls, and families. Applications accepted until July 31. https://lnkd.in/eaKVKXzH The Queer to Stay: LGBTQ+ Business Preservation Initiative supports LGBTQ+ small businesses that serve as crucial community spaces, particularly for LGBTQ+ people of color, women, and transgender individuals. Eligible businesses must be U.S.-based, for-profit entities that primarily serve the LGBTQ+ community and have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Applications are open until August 31. https://lnkd.in/e-Fh-D6U More grant & program information can be found here. https://lnkd.in/e2mHDQn5 #businessdevelopment #governmentcontracting #smallbusinesses #businessowners #founders #nonprofits #entrepreneurs #sbe #dbe #mbe #wbe #lbe #mwbe #wosb #edwosb #veteranowned #womanowned #supplierdiversity #minorityowned #wealth #lgbtq #smallbusinessresources #small biz #grants #startups #disabledowned #funding

The second annual LGBTQ+ Index, from Indiana University School of Education - Indianapolis is out. Some Key Takeaways: 🔹 LGBTQ+ organizations saw a 76% increase in assets from 2019-2021, concentrated in the largest organizations. 🔹 Charitable giving to #LGBTQ+ organizations has more than doubled over the past decade. Still, less than $1 out of $500 donated goes to support their efforts. 🔹 Growth varied across different types of LGBTQ+ organizations. 🔸 LGBTQ+ public-society benefit (such as grant-making organizations), education, and elders and aging organizations saw remarkable growth. 🔸 LGBTQ+ #HIV/AIDS organizations saw the lowest growth.  🔹 Diverging growth trends have led to an expanding community of LGBTQ+ organizations focused on a broader range of issues than a decade ago. This information is a valuable benchmark for nonprofit organizations within the sector. But, also good for development officers and nonprofit leaders to align their efforts. And, donors and funders to identify gaps in existing resources and get clear on the unique needs of LGBTQ+ organizations. #diversity #fundraising #nonprofits #philanthropy #foundations #research

There are many ways to participate in today's Day of NO Silence... Pick the one that feels best for you, and do it! If we all contribute in the way that feels best for us, collectively we'll have the support that's needed across the board! (1) Use Your Platform - share student stories and resources on social media. (2) Use Your Vote - ensure that you're registered to vote (I've been unregistered in years past - double check, even if you're sure!). Encourage your friends to do the same. Also, call for updated policies to protect queer youth! (3) Use Your Time - join or host a local event for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. You can also join your local GLSEN chapter. (4) Use Your Resources - donate to GLSEN or buy merch that supports LGBTQIA2S+ programs. You could also start your own fundraiser to support queer youth! How will you show up today? Video description: Text is summarized in the caption. Background is pink and cute cartoon animations supplement the message. GLSEN's Day of Silence logo and URL is on the video. @GLSEN #DayOfNoSilence #RiseUp4LGBTQ #InclusiveMarketing

Every June, for #PrideMonth, it always seems to be a competition for which companies change their logos to the #prideflag fastest, even when their political donations sometimes directly support anti-LGBTQIA+ politicians because their policies are more “business-friendly.” It should go without saying that these same businesses should champion #equality year round by supporting local community organizations to actually uplift and platform #LGBTQIA+ people, and update their HR policies to include better coverage for trans and non-binary people, including same-sex partners as recipients of shared healthcare coverage, and making parental leave for new parents more accessible for adoptive or non-birthing parents. These are changes that not only benefit a company’s LGBTQIA+ employees, but the health of their workforce as a whole. For Pride Month this June, I would like to share some local #Toronto resources and charities I personally would like to highlight, as well as some statistics that more corporations should be making an effort to address. 🏳️🌈 LGBTQIA+ Charities in Toronto 🏳️🌈 - The 519: https://lnkd.in/ehd8yEJd This community centre provides a safe and accepting space for our LGBT community. They also have workshops for new LGBT parents, training courses, and consulting services to help make things easier in this big city for LGBT folks of all ages, genders and backgrounds. - Foodshare: https://lnkd.in/eBb5BnPM This program helps specifically LBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, People with Disabilities and have “distributed more than 300,000 pounds of fresh produce to low-income families since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic,” according to an article in Toronto Life. Your donations help create Good Food boxes for delivery. - Pieces to Pathways: https://lnkd.in/eaKCyBtB P2P is a “peer-led initiative offering Canada’s only substance use support program for LGBTTQQ2SIA youth (ages 16-29).” Their staff are all queer and/or trans-identified and have their own experiences of substance use and recovery. The program is open to “all LGBTTQQ2SIA youth ages 16-29 who are concerned about their substance use, or are interested in exploring their relationship to substances.” Statistics (included in the comments, I ran out of room in the original post) Remedying these statistics is not just in the interest of making your company workforce a more equitable place, but is in the interest of your company’s bottom line as the “S” of your company’s #ESG reports continues to be incorporated into global legislation supporting more social equality in companies around the world. While I would hope that making your company an equitable and inclusive place to work is a reward in and of itself, I am more enthused and emboldened by the fact that #inclusivity will soon be #mandatory for more companies around the world. Please share this and add charities in the comments to spread awareness!

5 steps for organizing a successful workshop: ✅ Gather feedback and tailor your curriculum based on the audience. ✅ Be flexible and open to uncertain program changes. ✅ Take a GEDI (Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) approach. ✅ Harness the innate wisdom of your audience. ✅ Choose the right location. While organizing 5 Partner Workshop with participants from community-based organizations, we have learned and unlearned a lot of strategies, and this will remain a part of our journey! Check out our latest blog by Suveera Malhotra and Richa Pant for insights on organizing a partner workshop, from office setups to natural surroundings, catering to various participant sizes. Link to the blog: https://lnkd.in/dk_kbRz5 #RebuildasaPlatform #workshops #nonprofits #events

Want to see a donation of $1500 get made to The Trevor Project from the #samsales crew today? Here's how you can help simply by liking or reposting this post. As we considered spending some marketing budget to a sponsored newsletter or ad, we instead thought... ...why don't we ask for this community's help in marketing one of our top offerings, and give the money to an amazing cause that can do good in the world rather than spending that money with a corporation. ******************************************************************************* The marketing message we wanted to get out: If your teams are struggling with: 📧 Open, reply, meeting booking rates ✂ Understanding how to cut through the noise of an executive's inbox to earn a meeting 💡 Figuring out the "so what" value prop of what your solutions do for each buyer persona 🖋 Understanding how to write great sequences 🤓 Learning how to handle objections, ask for referrals, multithread, or use simple 101 email hacks ...then our Show Me You Know Me Masterclass series can help you address any or all of the above. ******************************************************************************* We'll add $1 per like + $5 for each repost (without your thoughts), up to $1500, that we get by 5pmET today, and donate to The Trevor Project before COB. If you get our newsletter or have seen our charity work these past few years, you'll know that this organization, which provides suicide prevention support for LGBTQ+ youths, is one we've long supported and cheer for loudly. And if this post gets us to our donation goal, we'll do it again this week with another charity. #samsales #SMYKM