Zebra Coalition creates online fundraising initiative to support Contigo Fund’s All Black Lives Fund

ABOVE: The “Amplify Black Queer Voices” initiative was started by Zebra Coalition, in an effort to supplement the philanthropic efforts of the All Black Lives Fund, the donation fund created by Contigo Fund. (Photo courtesy Zebra Coalition’s official Facebook)

ORLANDO | An LGBTQ+ youth organization in Central Florida is raising funds to show solidarity with a local Black LGBTQ+ donation fund.

Zebra Coalition launched the “Amplify Black Queer Voices” initiative as a way of contributing to the All Black Lives Fund, the donation fund created by Contigo Fund, as well as expressing support for Black LGBTQ+ community members. Zebra Coalition’s long-term partnership with Contigo Fund also inspired the creation of the initiative.

“We wanted to take steps to ensure that our Black LGBTQ siblings feel safe and taken care of in our spaces,” Heather Wilkie, executive director at Zebra Coalition, says. “The All Black Lives Fund is a local fund launched by our longstanding partners at Contigo Fund, so it was a natural fit for us as we moved forward with action.”

The organization’s initial goal was to raise $4,900 in donations; this number was meant as a tribute to the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting – 49 people would donate $100 each. The organization donated $1000 to get the ball rolling and Contigo Fund pledged to match the $4,900, augmenting the philanthropic impact of the donations.

However, since the launch of the initiative, up to $5,200 has been raised for the All Black Lives Fund, surpassing Zebra Coalition’s original goal. Note that this amount does not include the matched funds from Contigo Fund.

“All proceeds from our donation will be matched 3-to-1 by Contigo Fund, so the impact [of the $4,900 donation] totaled $14,700,” Wilkie says.

Wilkie says this response can be attributed to people’s collective understanding of the importance of advocating for the Black LGBTQ+ community and the concrete action required to propel social justice for this group.

“Our generous supporters understand the importance of supporting the Black LGBTQ community,” she says. “They also recognize that this movement is more than just a few posts on social media – words are meaningful but action is needed.”

Zebra Coalition is “a network of organizations” dedicated to providing youth outreach to LGBTQ+ individuals between the ages of 13–24. The organization offers individualized programs that help LGBTQ+ youth navigate issues such as “homelessness, bullying, isolation from their families, and physical, sexual and drug abuse.”

For the coalition, supporting the Black Lives Matter movement is vital in creating an inclusive environment for all LGBTQ+ youth interested in seeking its resources.

“It is important for Zebra Coalition to make sure that we voice our opinion as an anti-racist organization because we want to make sure that youth feel safe coming to us for services,” Wilkie says. “We don’t want to leave anyone out.”

To donate to the “Amplify Black Queer Voices” initiative, visit Zebra Coalition’s official Facebook page or click on the following link. Individuals can choose from a pre-selected list of donation amounts of up to $5,000 or customize their donation.

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