New LGBTQ organization explains itself through Q&A
Equity Action, arguably the newest organization serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer and questioning communities of Rhode Island, has several daunting challenges, not the least of which is explaining what it is.

That’s because The Rhode Island Foundation-sponsored effort has multiple goals: to create a permanent pot of grantmaking dollars to benefit the LGBTQ communities; to raise $200,000 to match a national challenge from the National Lesbian and Gay Community Funding Partnership; to assemble a coalition among all the individuals and organizations fighting for gender and/or sexuality equity; to identify issues in common among the groups; and to strategically provide grants support.

One of the imminent products from Equity Action – a comprehensive scan of the demographics and issues of LGBTQ individuals – will be released sometime in the next eight weeks.

Until then, however, Equity Action spokesperson Kris Hermanns, a program officer at The Rhode Island Foundation, agreed to share the questions she gets asked again and again by people trying to understand Equity Action. The questions and answers follow.

“Kris, what is Equity Action?”

Kris Hermanns: “At its simplest, Equity Action is a group of community leaders working with The Rhode Island Foundation to develop a permanently-available sum of money that can work on behalf of the LGBTQ communities of Rhode Island.

“But obviously, it’s more complex than that. The issues that get raised, the grants that get made, the coalitions that evolve, all will have an impact on the lives of Rhode Islanders.”

Why should LGBTQ individuals care about Equity Action?
KH: “Nationally, less than 0.3% of all charitable dollars are to lesbian and gay issues. We need to establish a permanent pool of funds – an endowment – to ensure that advocacy, model projects, conferences, and ongoing and tried-and-true efforts can happen, and happen regularly.

“Equity Action has several goals that should be important to every LGBTQ individual:

• to empower segments of the community that regularly face barriers
• to broaden general public understanding and awareness of our issues
• to change attitudes that discriminate and keep LGBTQ people from participating fully in society
• to build bridges among LGBTQ communities and others, especially those who have felt isolated from traditional LGBTQ activities
• to strengthen community-based organizations committed to serving the LGBTQ communities
• to increase access by LGBTQ individuals to community services, and
• to meet urgent needs that have traditionally been underfunded.

What’s your first challenge?
KH: “Actually we have three simultaneous ‘challenges’. Perhaps the best known is that we must raise $200,000 to match the $100,000 offered by the National Lesbian and Gay Community Funding Partnership. By the way, we welcome contributions of any size.

“Another is to complete the community scan of Rhode Island LGBTQ individuals and organizations. This first-time effort, which has taken more than half a year, is already proving very valuable in identifying issues and ‘subpopulations’ that we could previously only guess at before.

“Finally, we have to establish a representative ‘body’ to advise and direct the work of Equity Action.

“Happily both the second and the third challenges are close to being met, and we’re making headway on the first.”

Talk more about the community scan.
KH: “We contracted with an internationally-respected and committed organization, John Snow Inc. which has been surveying LGBTQ individuals and organizations for the last eight months. Its final report should be out by mid-December.

“We are confident that this will be a groundbreaking document that will point policymakers at every level to solutions they can provide to ongoing questions.”

What about the grantmaking?
KH: “The Foundation’s 87 years of experience in grantmaking and community building tells us that our success will evolve with time. Nonetheless, the advisory council is confident that the guidelines which are nearly complete will find and support the best projects and organizations out

“We’ll be offering grants of all sizes to all types of nonprofit organizations that demonstrate carefully considered and wonderful ideas and projects.

“Guidelines for applying should be available by December 1 at www.rifoundation.org or by calling me at 401-274-4564.”

How can I get involved?
KH: “Obviously, we welcome any donations you wish to make. You can give online at the Foundation’s website or can send a check to Equity Action, c/o The Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903.

“We also occasionally invite new members to join the advisory panel. You can send me a request to be considered at khermanns@rifoundation.org.

“Last but not least, get on to our mailing list. We’ll keep you apprised about forums, publications, and other activities that you might enjoy.”