HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
Gay and Lesbian Center Seeks Support from Community... and Gets It.
By Mye Griffin/MicroMemphis Reporter
April 24, 2011:
Updated with information from the Memphis Flyer, June 7, 2011
According to an article in The Memphis Flyer, the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center was able to raise money well above the $45,000 needed to stay in operation. Read the Memphis Flyer update here.
The original MicroMemphis article from April 2011 is below:
The Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center says it needs help soon or it will have to close its doors. The center, which operation solely relies on donations and grants, has nearly run out of money.
Executive director Will Batts says donations have been running low since last year and that the center needs $ 45,000 to continue normal opperation.
“Some grant opportunities and donations have dried up and the only option is to cut some programs and my position.” Batts said.
Batts’ executive director position is the only paid position at the center. He says his salary to run the entire program is less than that of an average school teacher. Batts says if the executive director position is cut the MGLCC risks losing direction and some programs.
“If this happens, the center will be forced to be run by volunteers which could be detrimental to the programs the center has.” Said Batts.
MGLCC is operated from two types of donations -- restricted and unrestricted funds.
Restricted funds are grants or donations that can be used at the donors' discretion, while the unrestricted funds are used at the discretion of MGLCC. The unrestricted funds are most needed by the center because those cover its utitlities, as well as Batts’ salary.
Founded in 1989, MGLCC is an awareness and information center for people who want to get involved with various programs, health fairs, and counseling services. Programs range from film festivals to the arts and performances. The center also organizes marches and events for children.
Batts wouldn’t reveal how close the center is to reaching its goal, but he says that the campaign is going well. MGLCC has until the end of May to raise the money.
“We are doing life saving work. We can’t go back to where the center was years ago.” Batts said. “People have told me that they didn’t know if they would be living if this place wasn’t around. It saves lives.”
You can read more about the MGLCC's fundraising efforts on their Facebook page. Donations can be made to MGLCC.org.
April 24, 2011:
Updated with information from the Memphis Flyer, June 7, 2011
According to an article in The Memphis Flyer, the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center was able to raise money well above the $45,000 needed to stay in operation. Read the Memphis Flyer update here.
The original MicroMemphis article from April 2011 is below:
The Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center says it needs help soon or it will have to close its doors. The center, which operation solely relies on donations and grants, has nearly run out of money.
Executive director Will Batts says donations have been running low since last year and that the center needs $ 45,000 to continue normal opperation.
“Some grant opportunities and donations have dried up and the only option is to cut some programs and my position.” Batts said.
Batts’ executive director position is the only paid position at the center. He says his salary to run the entire program is less than that of an average school teacher. Batts says if the executive director position is cut the MGLCC risks losing direction and some programs.
“If this happens, the center will be forced to be run by volunteers which could be detrimental to the programs the center has.” Said Batts.
MGLCC is operated from two types of donations -- restricted and unrestricted funds.
Restricted funds are grants or donations that can be used at the donors' discretion, while the unrestricted funds are used at the discretion of MGLCC. The unrestricted funds are most needed by the center because those cover its utitlities, as well as Batts’ salary.
Founded in 1989, MGLCC is an awareness and information center for people who want to get involved with various programs, health fairs, and counseling services. Programs range from film festivals to the arts and performances. The center also organizes marches and events for children.
Batts wouldn’t reveal how close the center is to reaching its goal, but he says that the campaign is going well. MGLCC has until the end of May to raise the money.
“We are doing life saving work. We can’t go back to where the center was years ago.” Batts said. “People have told me that they didn’t know if they would be living if this place wasn’t around. It saves lives.”
You can read more about the MGLCC's fundraising efforts on their Facebook page. Donations can be made to MGLCC.org.