The Diana Foundation has announced its 2014-15 beneficiaries at the Country Dinner & Dance held on October 25 at Neon Boots. Diana members formally approved its slate of local charitable organizations at the October membership meeting. Diana has helped support local organizations focused in the areas of most need in health services, social services, and educational/cultural endeavors.
Beneficiaries chosen for 2014-15 includes: The Botts Collection (historical preservation); The John Danielson III Memorial Scholarship Fund (educational endeavor); Lazarus House (health and social services); Lesbian Health Initiative (LHI) of Houston (health services); and the University of Houston LGBTQ Resource Center (educational endeavor).
“We are very proud to help support these incredible organizations,” said Tanner Williams, president of The Diana Foundation. “Diana members welcome an opportunity to give back to our community as we celebrate our organization’s 62nd anniversary. We look forward to working with our selected beneficiaries throughout the year.”
Founded in 1953 in Houston, Texas, The Diana Foundation is nationally recognized as the oldest continuously running gay organization in the country. Initially formed as a social organization, members recognized many unmet needs in the gay community and began fundraising efforts to assist and support fledgling groups, struggling to provide services.
Achieving 501(c)3 status in 1976, over $1.6 million has been donated so far, to organizations large and small by Diana Foundation members. Each year the Board of Directors accepts proposals for consideration and the membership votes on the final beneficiaries.
Fundraising efforts by the Diana’s keep true to the founding spirit of camaraderie by concentrating on annual social events that enable members and guests to make contributions, through membership dues, attendance fees to the annual Awards Show held each Spring, and purchasing tickets to the Country Dinner Weekend events in the fall.
Additional information may be found online in the philanthropy section of The Diana Foundation website
