Nov 19, 2020

DIFFA matching grant benefits LGBT elders

Through a generous DIFFA matching grant, every donation to Gift for Life’s Text-to- Give campaign will be doubled through Dec. 31. Launched in connection with NY NOW’s Digital Market, the current campaign benefits SAGE, the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) elders. To donate, text GFLSAGE to 44-321, or visit https://tinyurl.com/GFLNYNOWSAGE.

“This type of ‘micro-fundraising’ allows our industry to make a big difference in the lives of impacted individuals,” said Matthew Katzenson, chair of the Gift for Life board. “This campaign was a great way to help LGBT older people nationwide.”

Donations help build community and connection, creating safe and welcoming spaces and advocacy for older LGBT people across the nation. Giving levels are: $40 covers monthly transportation to a weekly HIV Support Group. $80 funds a session with a licensed social worker; $120 feeds an LGBT older adult for one month; $250 provides technology to a homebound LGBT older adult; and $500 supports a bi-monthly gathering of HIV-positive older adults.

The matching grant is sponsored by Gift for Life’s partner DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS. “At a time when COVID has made so many LGBT elders doubly at-risk, we wanted to issue a challenge grant to help spark fundraising for this in-need community,” said Dawn Roberson, executive director for DIFFA. “SAGE has been a long-time recipient of DIFFA’s annual grants and we want to do all we can to continue to support their good works.”

The first wave of text-to-donate fundraising for SAGE was conducted during the October launch of NY NOW’s Digital Market. The campaign continues through Dec. 31, when the 2020 edition of NY NOW’s Digital Market concludes.

“NY NOW is very pleased to partner with Gift for Life and DIFFA to support SAGE to provide LGBT elders with valuable resources and support,” said Tim Hart, senior vice president of the retail group at Emerald Expo. “We look forward to continued partnership with Gift for Life to raise funds for under-served communities impacted by HIV/AIDS.”

Building off the momentum of the Stonewall uprising and the emerging LGBT civil rights movement, a group of activists came together in 1978 to ensure that LGBT older people could age with respect and dignity. SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders) offers innovative services and programs to LGBT older people throughout New York City and nationwide through its affiliate network, SAGENet. From arts and culture, to health and wellness and more, SAGE’s innovative services and programs support thousands of LGBT older people in communities around the country. On a national level, SAGE also trains aging providers, develops consumer resources, and advocates for public policies to support LGBT older people.

Gift for Life unites the gift and home industries against AIDS with nearly $6 million raised since its inception in 1992. In 2008, Gift for Life selected DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the U.S., as its main charity partner. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities to provide more than $46 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide.