Swish Launches Swish Ally Fund at Stonewall Community Foundation; Appears in NYC Pride March, 6/29

After more than a decade of service engaging straight allies in the movement for LGBTQ equality, Swish is proud to announce the launch of the Swish Ally Fund at Stonewall Community Foundation. The Swish Ally Fund marks another historic first for Swish - as Stonewall's first and only fund dedicated to ally partnership in the fight for equality.

"The Stonewall Community Foundation staff and Board are honored to partner with Swish as they shift their focus to grantmaking after more than 10 years of remarkable service to our community," said Jarrett Lucas, Executive Director of the Stonewall Community Foundation. "The fact is, allies bring important perspective and resources to the LGBTQ movement, and the Swish Ally Fund at Stonewall will create a unique space for that to happen. We at Stonewall look forward to continuing the Swish legacy as we seek out and fund organizations and projects that bravely celebrate LGBTQ lives - both our connection and our diversity."

Grantmaking will take place on an ongoing basis, ensuring a legacy of grassroots support directly to LGBTQ organizations in New York City and worldwide. Donations of $250 or more to the Swish Ally Fund before June 30 will be listed as founding donors.

"The progress made by the LGBTQ movement in the United States over the last 10 years has been both staggering and inspiring," said Swish Co-founder and President, Sue Sena. "However, we all know there is still more work to be done. By supporting communities through grants from the Swish Ally Fund, we can ensure that their work makes an impact - first locally, then globally - by engaging straight allies as their partners in this fight. Because equality is not possible without straight allies."

Swish will be marching for its 12th and final year in the NYC Pride March on June 29. Swish welcomes all marchers of every shape, size, age, orientation and identity to march with its Warriors for Love float down 5th Avenue in New York City. #WarriorsForLove

To be a part of history by making a contribution to the Swish Ally Fund or to sign-up to march with Swish at NYC Pride, visit www.swishpride.org.

For information about submitting a proposal for the Swish Ally Fund, email your name, title, and organization name to grants@stonewallfoundation.org, include "Swish Ally Fund" in the subject line. The Swish Ally Fund will begin making its first grants in 2015.

About Swish: Over the last 11 years, Swish has engaged more than 3,000 straight ally and LGBT members worldwide in joyful partnership with the LGBT rights movement.

Along with their award-winning annual appearances in the New York City Pride March (5-time nominee and 3-time award-winner by Heritage of Pride), Swish has participated in the Atlanta and LA Pride Marches and represented the United States delegation at the EuroPride 2008 events in Stockholm.

In 2009, Swish was the first organization to endorse the National Equality March in Washington, DC, for which they were named among the Best of Gay New York City by Time Out NY that year. Over the last four years, Swish volunteers have logged hundreds of phone-banking and canvassing hours with state coalitions to win marriage equality in 18 states and Washington, DC! Most recently, Swish joined Google as an honoree at Marriage Equality USA's national gala to receive its 2013 Community Partner Award.

This year, Swish is embarking on a new venture to expand its mission to more communities around the world. Swish is launching the Swish Ally Fund at The Stonewall Community Foundation to fund grassroots organizations so that they can engage straight allies in the fight for love and equality.