Grants from Australia’s first LGBTI ‘giving circle’ announced

A NEW LGBTI funding group has announced the recipients of its first grants supporting the community.

The Channel is Australia’s first “giving circle” supporting the LGBTI community, which allows people to join for a monthly donation in exchange for a vote in determining which projects receive funding, Pro Bono Australia has reported.

The group is distributing $15,000 for LGBTI projects supporting what it calls “brave representations” in its inaugural funding round.

Melbourne-based project Pride in Care will receive $5000 to establish an advocacy, education and leadership organisation for LGBTI young people who have lived in foster or residential care.

“The group… will develop leadership skills to educate workers and carers on how best to work with [LGBTI] young people in out of home care,” said The Channel executive director Georgia Mathews.

Documentary Australia Foundation will receive $10,000 in funding towards the production of a new film called A Clever Label.

“Using interactive virtual reality technology, the film’s director Michela Ledwidge shares her personal story as a queer trans woman to spotlight the public, but often hidden, data on the influence of the Australian Christian Lobby on our democracy and its impacts on [LGBTI] people,” said Mathews.

“I’m proud of our membership for funding some really hard-hitting projects.”

The Channel Sub-fund is hosted by the Gay and Lesbian Foundation of Australia, which provides funds for activities and organisations that benefit LGBTI people and communities in Australia.

The Channel plans to distribute a second round of funding later this year.