| Organization information | |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | OutCenter Southwest Michigan |
| Please tell us the amount of funding you are requesting Aware to raise for your organization from the Aware annual fundraising event. | $10,000 |
| If your organization received Aware funding in the previous years, how many clients were serviced and/or how many services were provided with those funds. If you receive Aware funding this current year, how many clients will be serviced and/or how many services will be provided with these funds? | OutCenter has received the following awards from West Shore Aware: - $9,800 for general operating support in 2015 Based on our current estimates for this upcoming year of funding, we estimate the following services will be provided: - # of policies or practices created, changed, or promoted: 80 |
| Please provide a listing of the Officers and Board members of your organization. | John Royse, Board Chair |
| Your Contact Information | Willow Sipling |
| Phone | 269) 932-3009 |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Scoring Criteria | |
| 1. Description of the Organization (maximum 5 points, please limit to ½ pages) | OutCenter Southwest Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building thriving communities for LGBTQ+ folks and allies through advocacy, education, and civic activation. Since its founding over 20 years ago, OutCenter has been a vital resource in Southwest Michigan, ensuring LGBTQ+ individuals and families have access to safe and affirming spaces, critical mental health support, and inclusive policies that protect their rights. Our mission is to create a region where LGBTQ+ people can live authentically, free from discrimination, and with full access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. Our impact extends across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, with programs designed to meet the unique needs of the local LGBTQ+ population, particularly those in rural communities where access to affirming services is often limited. OutCenter provides support groups for LGBTQ+ families, transgender individuals, and queer elders, helping to reduce isolation and foster resilience. We maintain a robust referral network that connects LGBTQ+ individuals to affirming healthcare and mental health providers, ensuring they receive competent, culturally responsive care. In addition to direct support, OutCenter works to create systemic change by offering LGBTQ+ cultural competency training to schools, businesses, healthcare providers, and government agencies. These trainings help foster safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the region. Our PrideFest events, which have grown to draw thousands of attendees across multiple cities, further strengthen community connections and visibility. OutCenter is a trusted resource for leaders, parents, and educators, often serving as the “first call” for guidance on LGBTQ+ issues. Through active participation in organizational committees, advocacy groups, and regional networking opportunities, we help drive meaningful change in school boards, city commissions, and other key decision-making spaces. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term systemic challenges, OutCenter plays a crucial role in ensuring the West Michigan lakeshore region is a place where all LGBTQ+ individuals can live with dignity, safety, and belonging. |
| 2. Funding Request (maximum 35 points, total, please limit to 1 page) | The LGBTQ+ Competent Healthcare project is a transformative initiative designed to address systemic healthcare disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Southwest Michigan, particularly in underserved rural areas. This project seeks to create safer, more inclusive healthcare environments by providing evidence-based training to healthcare providers, administrators, and patient-facing staff. By fostering cultural competency, reducing implicit bias, and promoting the collection of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data, the project aims to improve both patient safety and overall health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals. The training sessions focus on equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to deliver affirming care. Topics include recognizing implicit biases, understanding social determinants of health impacting LGBTQ+ populations, and implementing best practices for equitable care delivery. Providers are also trained on respectful SOGI data collection methods, which are critical for identifying systemic disparities and improving patient experiences. Additionally, the project empowers LGBTQ+ individuals by educating them about their healthcare rights and advocacy strategies. Regarding the benefits to the local community, there are several: Improved healthcare access: By increasing the number of culturally competent providers in the region, the project ensures that LGBTQ+ individuals — especially those in rural communities — can access safe and affirming care. Reduced disparities: The emphasis on intersectionality addresses compounded challenges faced by marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community, such as transgender individuals and people of color. Systemic change: Collaborations with healthcare organizations lead to lasting policy improvements that institutionalize inclusivity. Community empowerment: Educational efforts build trust between LGBTQ+ individuals and healthcare systems while fostering advocacy skills. Regarding the impact on the local community, this initiative strengthens community cohesion by bridging gaps between healthcare providers and LGBTQ+ individuals. It reduces stigma, fosters mutual understanding, and creates networks of affirming care providers across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. Ultimately, the project contributes to a healthier, more inclusive community where all residents feel valued and supported. |
| 3. Funding Justification (maximum 40 points, please limit to 1 page) | The funding requested from West Shore Aware will support a critical portion of our Competent Healthcare project, but it likely will not cover all of our work. For example, United Way of Southwest Michigan is currently helping to fund this project. OutCenter is actively pursuing additional funding through individual donations and other grant opportunities to sustain this initiative. By securing diverse funding sources, we aim to ensure long-term success and scalability for our digital outreach, education, and advocacy efforts. If we are unable to secure the full funding needed, we will not cancel the project but will instead scale back our strategy. This may involve producing fewer training sessions, prioritizing fewer but more strategic organizational partnerships, or focusing on core curriculum topics that have the highest immediate impact. Our project has been purposefully designed to be adaptable, and to be expanded in stages, allowing us to implement foundational components while growing as funding allows. If West Shore Aware funds are awarded, they will be fully utilized to enhance OutCenter’s ability to reach LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, particularly in our rural areas where access to affirming in-person resources may be limited. Regardless of the total funding secured, this initiative will amplify our mission, strengthen community engagement, and create sustainable revenue streams to support our long-term objectives. |
| 4. Summary | OutCenter Southwest Michigan is seeking funding from West Shore Aware to support its LGBTQ+ Competent Healthcare project, an initiative designed to improve healthcare equity and access for LGBTQ+ individuals in rural Southwest Michigan. This project addresses critical disparities by providing comprehensive training to healthcare providers, administrators, and staff, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to deliver affirming, culturally competent care. Through evidence-based education on implicit bias, social determinants of health, and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) data collection, the project fosters safer, more inclusive healthcare environments. It also empowers LGBTQ+ individuals by educating them about their healthcare rights and advocacy strategies, ensuring they can confidently navigate medical systems. The funding requested will directly support training sessions and community outreach efforts, benefiting both LGBTQ+ individuals and the broader community by reducing stigma, improving patient outcomes, and fostering trust between healthcare providers and marginalized populations. With your support, this initiative will create lasting systemic change by institutionalizing inclusive practices across local healthcare systems. By investing in this project, West Shore Aware will help ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals in our region receive the affirming care they deserve while strengthening community cohesion and equity for all residents. Together, we can build a healthier, more inclusive Southwest Michigan. |
| Application Agreement | This is an application, otherwise known as a Request for Funding (RFF), from
West Shore Aware. This RFF is a request from your organization to Aware, for Aware to host a
Fundraising Event for your organization. By completing this RFF, your organization is requesting to be considered by Aware’s membership for an Aware fundraising event to be held during the summer of this year, also known as the White Party.
If your organization is chosen for a fundraising event by the Aware membership, your organization will agree to the following terms and conditions for the said fundraising event. 1. Aware will be given and provided full credit for the fundraising event in all of you organization’s publicity and advertising for said event, to include but not limited to event posters, newspaper advertising, handouts, radio and television advertising for the event, and organizational announcements concerning the event. 2. Your organization will only use the funds raised by Aware from said event for the purpose described in the RFF submitted to Aware. 3. Your organization understands that West Shore Aware is a philanthropic organization of LBGTQ+ individuals and their supporters, and that the funds your organization receives from Aware will be coming from the West Michigan lakeshore community. 4. The funds received from Aware as a result of the fundraising event will be net, after expenses for said fundraising event are paid. 5. Aware may use the name of your organization in its own advertising and publicity as a recipient of funds.. 6. Your organization will supply Aware with written approval to hold, or be part of a fundraising event held by Aware. 7. West Shore Aware reserves the right to audit any organization that receives funding to determine whether the funds were used as described in its RFF. 8. Your organization will allow West Shore Aware to use you organization’s name on the West Shore Aware website. In addition, if your organization has a website, you will link that website to the West Shore Aware website and allow West Shore Aware to link to your organization’s site. West Shore Aware’s web site link must remain on your web site for a full year from the date of the monetary disbursement. Failure to do so will disqualify you from requesting future funding. Once you have completed the RFF and agreed to the aforementioned, please submit it. Please sign this document below, indicating acceptance of the aforementioned terms and conditions. By signing the document, you acknowledge your organization is a registered 501(C) 3 Charitable organization. |
| Signature | |
| Date | 03/26/2025 |
| Ready to Submit |
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