GLOBE invests $25,000 in Melbourne’s LGBTI community

GLOBE awarded $25,000 in grants to community organisations, a scholarship and a new LGBTI business grant, announced at last night’s globe community grants event to a crowd of 100 guests.

The globe community grants are the oldest and largest grant program in Melbourne’s LGBTI community. Revenue from membership fees, sponsorship and event ticket sales are granted to support LGBTI community groups, students and business owners.

GLOBE president David Micallef said the $25,000 in grants were a record investment in the LGBTI community.

“as the peak body for Melbourne’s LGBTI business owners and professionals, we are strongly committed to supporting the larger LGBTQI community and our proud in our 25th year to be continuing these annual grants which are the largest and oldest giving program for LGBTI victorians.” Micallef said.

Jake franklin received the globe scholarship of $1,000. Jake is undertaking a research project into the understanding of the psychological components of support for marriage equality as part of his graduate diploma in psychology.

Emily Dwyer director and CEO of edge effect was awarded the globe business grant, having successfully pitched to a panel of judges against two other finalists. Judges Melissa Tandy of ANZ, Paul Hickman of Duxton Allcare and Mark Grogan from GLOBE congratulated finalists Carol-Ann Allen and Bronte Price.

Recipients of the 2017 GLOBE community grants included:

Senswide employment – Workingout: this is a specialist employment service delivered by Senswide employment for LGBTQI identified people facing barriers to accessing employment. The grant will support the staff to undergo resilience building training.

Geelong rainbow inc: the grant will support the safe spaces project which aims to identify safe spaces in the Geelong area where LGBTQI people can find sanctuary if they feel threatened or have been victims of bullying or harassing behaviour

Switchboard Victoria: the grant will go towards the cost of computers in their new phone room

We were there: a verbatim theatre project: this verbatim performance will explore the lives and genuine experiences of women who were involved with and/or cared for those living with hiv/aids

Vicbears: the grant will support forums aimed at issues of men’s health such as diabetes and prostate cancer.

Melbourne community church: the grant will support a weekend workshop designed for lgtbiq community workers, health professionals and school staff which will aim to create an understanding of the impacts of conflict between faith and sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Team Melbourne: the grant will support team Melbourne’s LGBTI sports festival

The equality project: the grant will be used to fund ten places at the “better together” national conference to be held in January 2018. These places will be awarded to those that are facing financial hardship and have something to contribute to the LGBTI community.

Goulburn valley pride: the grant will support the Outintheopen festival and GV pride’s efforts to bring local business and industry together with Melbourne business.

The Cocoa Butter Club Melbourne: this is a community of LGBTQI performers who are Indigenous and/or people of colour. The grant will support the quarterly performance nights, one of which will be a keynote event in Midsumma 2018.

Globe is a not-for-profit membership organisation for LGBTQI business owners and professionals in Melbourne. Now in its 25th year, globe is the largest and oldest LGBTI networking organisation, and the Organisation’s community grants program is the oldestLGBTQI giving program for the Melbourne LGBTI community.