JustFundKY started in 2006 with the dual mission of reducing discrimination through high-profile public events showcasing the positive contributions of LGBT persons, and by funding the educational efforts of other organizations to increase awareness and understanding of the LGBT community. Just Fund Education Project, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) doing business as JustFundKY.
JustFundKY is still a growing organization. As we build to our multi-million-dollar fund for justice, we are committed to providing a responsible and engaged face for Lexington’s LGBT community. Our annual events do not just involve our community, but also reach out to and engage our allies all across the Commonwealth.
Our sponsorship and ad sales provide an outlet for the mainstream business community to speak directly to the LGBT community, and we provide oft-ignored evidence of the true and strong buying power within the LGBT community. These opportunites for business to align with our cause strengthen both the cause and the businesses involved.
As JustFundKY moves forward, we hope to expand the visibility and reach of our efforts as we fund the actions of those with dreams of a just and equal Kentucky.
In 2011 the following Grants were awarded:
1. Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning to conduct a writing competition for LGBT writers and writers of LGBT-themed works.
2. Come Together Kentucky Conference 2012 hosted by the University of Louisville Office for LGBT Services- annual conference for college students to train, inspire and encourage them to return to their communities and affect positive change.
3. EKU Alphabet Center to conduct a variety of programming to promote fairness for LGBT Kentuckians that includes work with local businesses, other campuses, people of faith and an educational campaign involving trans Kentuckians.
4. Kentucky Fairness Alliance to develop a comprehensive and easily accessible database of LGBT-friendly professionals and organizations in the state to aid in the identification of legislative witnesses, spur issue-oriented litigation and serve informational requests from across the state.
5. GLSO to conduct a youth empowerment project for high school students: workshops to engage youth in leadership training, basic diversity training, and suicide prevention.
6. Lexington Fairness to conduct Project Speak Out: to reduce the incidence of LGBT youth bullying and suicide in Central Kentucky. The Project will target middle and high schools in the Bluegrass.
7. Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass to educate ombudsmen, the aging network of social services and providers of long-term care about the issues facing LGBT long-term care residents.
8. OutLaw to diversify recruitment at the UK College of Law, invite speakers on LGBT legal issues and enhance awareness of LGBT issues in the legal community.
9. Pandora Productions to produce the theater production "The Temperamentals" about the homosexual witch hunts of the 1950's and the creation of one of the first ever gay rights organizations, The Mattachine society.
10. Statewide Fairness Coalition to conduct educational campaigns that promote fair treatment of LGBT Kentuckians in Madison County and Eastern Kentucky Counties that are considering fairness ordinances.
