Becky's 2011 Birthday Bucks

What is the cause?

PFund Foundation has a long history of working with, funding and building capacity of LGBTQ youth organizations across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. Often, PFund has served as the first or only funder of emerging and critical LGBTQ youth work in this region.

PFund recently secured a matching grant of $22,500 for grantmaking to LGBT youth organizations across the Upper Midwest region. Over the course of three years they will invest $45,00 in grants to LGBT youth working; in additional to their regular grantmaking that exceeds $80,000 annually. The impact of every dollar raised will be doubled through this matching grant.

The grants will be made through their annual grantmaking process. The Queer Youth Initiative grants will be prioritized for groups that prioritize youth leadership in decision-making as well as bi and trans youth, youth of color and young women.

Why the amount?

In case you hadn't figure out yet, I'm Jewish and my Jewish identity hugely impacts my life, my worldview, and my work.

Chai equals 18 in gematria (Hebrew numerology) and the word Chai means "Life" in Hebrew. Jews often give gifts and donations in multiples of 18, which is called "giving chai".

If just one person per year of my life (28 this year on March 11) "gives chai" ($18), the goal will be reached. And if more give? It will be surpassed!