Justice in the Making - Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIR
THANK YOU, BRENDA
Each day from our office in Union Square, we at Astraea
have an extraordinary view. Where some may see hallways
lined with boxes of grant applications, we see the promise
of justice. Stacks of contribution envelopes? We see Justice
In the Making. We see Astraea’s brave and tenacious
grantees—and the committed donor partners who support
them—literally changing the course of history.
This past year, Astraea awarded more than $1.9 million to 181
organizations and individuals in 99 cities and 39 countries.
And this year, as we celebrate Astraea’s 30th anniversary, we
plan on giving more than $2.4 million in grants.
This annual report is a snapshot of an extraordinary period
of accomplishment and growth for Astraea. We expanded our
Movement Building Initiative and helped create more
sustainable change by issuing more multi-year grants than
ever before. Our second Giving & Activism Retreat with
donors and activists from around the globe was a resounding
success (see page 13).
Organizationally, we created two new staff positions of
Deputy Director and Associate Director of Grantmaking. Our
national Board of Directors and International Advisory Board
expanded; and Brenda Funches (see page 5) passed the Board
Chair baton to Alice Y. Hom.
There are board chairs and then . . . there is Brenda. Brenda’s
wisdom and quiet strength have made us a smarter and
stronger organization. Brenda helped us sharpen our listening
skills and ask better questions. She kept us on track, shepherding
us through years of growth, accomplishment and always,
reflection. And last year, when she traveled to the historic first
conference of Palestinian lesbians in Haifa, we could not have
asked for a more gracious and informed Astraea ambassador.
A mentor to young activists around the country, Brenda is a
leader who has helped build our movement for decades. She is
also the matriarch of a lovely family to whom we are grateful for
sharing so much of their mother and grandmother with us over
the years.
There’s an old saying that it’s better to be kind, than be right.
Brenda proved that we can be both—at the same time.
Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice
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In Ecuador, lesbian leaders are challenging forced hospitalization
of their sisters in “rehabilitation” clinics. In Serbia,
the launch of a trans initiative—the first of its kind in
Eastern Europe—offers groundbreaking lectures, workshops
and support groups.
Each day, the vision and bold strategies enacted by these
activists inspires and informs our work.
In Colorado, Native lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer
and intersex activists are planning a Two-Spirit gathering.
And filmmakers in New York are shooting Puzzles, a
documentary linking a hate crime in a small town with the
violent imagery of hate/supremacist movements.
The individuals you will meet in this report embody Justice in
the Making. They encourage us to stretch beyond what we
know, and incorporate new issues, movements and ideas into
the fabric of our lives. They create new paradigms by partnering
with those of different ethnicities, genders and generations.
Most importantly, they remind us that while justice may start
with one person, it only thrives when all of us take part.
In peace,
Katherine Acey
Executive Director
Alice Y. Hom
Board Chair
“There are board chairs and then . . . there is Brenda.“
Left: Alice Y. Hom (l) and Katherine Acey
Above: Brenda Funches
www.astraeafoundation.org
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