Boston's Hispanic Black Gay Coalition Gets $5,000 Grant

In a new direct donation program, The Staples Foundation has awarded $5,000 to the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition. The Boston-based organization will use the funds for their New Leaders Institute and the LGBTQ mentorship program.

"The grant provided by Staples will greatly support two important HBGC programs that promote inter-generational interactions among older LGBTQ people of color and young adults," said HBGC Executive Director Corey Yarbrough. "The extra funds will go towards expanding outreach efforts, improving our program trainings, and organizing exciting community building events to recruit and retain new, diverse participants."

The grant was awarded by the Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., under a program that lets Staples associates' direct donations. The philanthropic initiative directs funding to non-profit organizations that are focused on education or job skills. The program encourages local community engagement by awarding larger grants to organizations where associates are highly engaged in volunteering or fundraising.

"Staples Foundation is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where our associates live and work," said Katy Dobbs, director of global community and giving for Staples, Inc. "Through our program, we are pleased to support our associates and the local non-profit organizations that matter to them most."

The program, called 2 Million and Change, will award funds to organizations around the world, reaching more than $2 million in grants by the end of the year. In 2012, associates globally directed more than $2.1 million of Staples Foundation grants to 470 non-profit organizations.

HBGC will use the grant to fund The New Leaders Institute, a leadership development program for LGBTQ youth under 25. Participants undergo a series of skill building, leadership, and community organizing trainings that culminate in the implementation of community-wide projects and campaigns. The HBGC Mentorship Program pairs LGBTQ professionals of color with LGBTQ students of color.

The money will also be used to support HBGC's mentor program, with Mentorship Program Coordinator Dee Anthony saying, "Mentees have a role model, coach and advocate in their lives that they can tap into for ongoing support. They have a trusted friend that they can access at any time for advice and encouragement.

"LGBTQ adult professionals experience both personal growth and fulfillment by mentoring an LGBTQ youth," he continued. "There's an internal satisfaction that mentors get from sharing their experiences, while being exposed to new ideas/experiences from the mentees."