BURLINGTON – Samara Foundation of Vermont has awarded scholarships and grants totaling $21,500 to two high school seniors and nine organizations serving the Vermont LGBT community. Samara first awarded grants in 1998 and now has awarded over $219,000 throughout the state.
      Two graduating high school seniors, one from South Burlington and the other from Rutland, have been awarded year 2006 Samara Foundation Scholarships of $2,000. The Samara Scholarship was established as an investment in the future of Vermont students who oppose discrimination and prejudice and who stand for the elimination of homophobia in our society.
     Organizations funded in Samara Foundation’s Year 2006 granting cycle benefit the Vermont gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities in a wide range of areas including HIV prevention, youth services, education, media development, health and community service, social service and initiatives to address same sex domestic violence.
     HIV prevention outreach to men in Bennington County was the focus of a $1,500 grant awarded to the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont. Easter Seals Vermont, as lead agency for the Vermont adoption consortium, received $1,300 to support the Northwestern Vermont Gay and Lesbian Foster and Adoptive Parent Group.
     Expanded youth services for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth throughout Vermont was supported by a $6,000 grant to Outright Vermont. Pride Vermont received $1,700 to support publication of a “Pride Guide and Directory” to be distributed at this year’s Pride Celebration.
     A $2,750 grant was awarded to SafeSpace, a social change and social service organization working to end physical, sexual and emotional violence in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning people.
     Transgender Day of Remembrance received $1,250 to support its goal of building community awareness around transgender issues, creating opportunities to recognize and mourn transgender people lost to violence and discrimination, and to empower transgender community members and other members of the LGBT and general communities in drawing common linkages in fighting injustice and building a stronger community for everyone.
     The R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center received $3,000 to support its general operations with a focus on LGBTQ elders. It also was awarded an additional $500 to help with transition expenses in its merger with SafeSpace. Vermont PWA (People with AIDS) Coalition received $2,500 to provide scholarships to a retreat/conference for people living with HIV, as well as scholarships for Vermont PWA’s Buyers’ Coop. WGDR 91.1 FM, Goddard College’s radio station, received $1,000 in support of its “Woman-Stirred Radio” program.
     Also, an award to OITM of up to $4,000 in a matching funds campaign is pending. Samara has extended the campaign to August 31st.

Press Release from the Samara Foundation, which has offices in Burlington and is one of a network of gay and lesbian community foundations across the county. Samara Foundation is a charitable foundation whose mission is “to support and strengthen Vermont’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities today and build an endowment for tomorrow.”

For further information about giving or granting opportunities, contact Suzanne D. Stofflet, President, Samara Foundation of Vermont, p.o. Box 1263, Burlington, Vermont 05402, call 802.860.6236, or email suzanne@samarafoundation.org