Statements
Mission
The Nashville LGBT Chamber Foundation educates, inspires, and empowers LGBT business professionals.
Background
The Nashville LGBT Chamber Foundation was founded in 2015 to assist the LGBT Chamber of Commerce fund its educational programming and allow the Chamber of Commerce to concentrate on being a membership association. Since then, we have provided free or reduced-cost professional development programs for LGBT and ally business owners and professionals. We have also worked with other organizations to conduct research on the negative economic effects of anti-LGBT legislation. This Foundation works with LGBT-owned businesses to achieve national certification and business development.
Impact
2020/2021 accomplishments include:
1. We hosted networking and professional development programming for over 600 professionals. These events were held both virtually and in-person at different parts of the pandemic.
2. We raised $100,000 with our fundraising campaigns and events.
3. We have received awards for our programming from the following organizations: a. National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce: Excellence in Programming b. Brothers United Legacy Award c. Out & About Nashville Faves and Raves: Favorite Community Group d. Nashville Business Journal: Most Admired CEOs and their Companies
4. We helped certify 21 LGBT Business Enterprises in Middle Tennessee.
5. We received grants from the CFMT, Wells Fargo, and NGLCC.
6. The Chamber has a Board and committees that are representative of our community and ensure organizational stability and sustainability by: a. The Board and Committees becoming more racially and culturally diverse; b. The Board having representation from all orientations in the LGBT acronym; and c. Establishing the Board recruitment process.
7. The Chamber and Foundation have the staff, facilities, technology and other resources needed to accomplish their mission by:a. Hiring a fulltime employee to support the CEO
2021/2022 Goals Include: 1. The Chamber Foundation has the financial resources needed to serve the LGBT community and provide educational activities by: a. Increasing fundraising goals by 10%; and b. Funding scholarships for members for business development programs. 2. The mission of the Chamber Foundation is advanced through the meaningful and targeted programs it offers by: a. Creating programs for small business owners; b. Engaging members at educational events; c. Developing more programming for professionals; and d. Developing programs for workforce development.
Needs
Our needs include: 1. Sponsorships for our Excellence in Business Awards, Classroom Connect, and educational programming and fundraising events. Please contact Lauren Bland at lauren@nashvillelgbtchamber.org for more details. 2. Committee members for the following committees: Events, Programming, Advocacy, Inclusion, Development, and Marketing. 3. Small businesses and corporations to sign up as LGBT Business Enterprises.
CEO Statement
A donation to the LGBT Chamber Foundation empowers the LGBT community by providing professional education and financial opportunity. The Foundation provides access to measurable economic growth opportunities for LGBT business owners. Supporting the Foundation sends a strong message that one believes tax-paying businesses should have access to tax-funded contracts without the fear of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. When LGBT business owners create jobs, they create a more inclusive economy. Your donation helps provide more jobs for more lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Multiple studies have found rates of poverty, food insecurity, and joblessness to be elevated in the LGBT community, especially for lesbians and transgender individuals. Economic empowerment of LGBT professionals and business owners increase resources for other LGBT organizations focused on youth, homelessness, healthcare, education, senior care, and more. A small investment in the LGBT Chamber Foundation exponentially grows into greater resources for the LGBT community.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Employment - Employment Preparation & Procurement |
| Secondary Category: | Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy - Lesbian/Gay Rights |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
The LGBT Chamber Foundation serves Nashville and the surrounding areas.
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Williamson |
