Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Schwartz.
Robin, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 2004, Aqua Foundation for Women was started by a group of women who recognized the need for a n0n-profit organization that focused on the needs of LBT women and was run by LBT women. I was one of the original founders. Along with funds from an on-going event and some seed money from some of the founders we started a 501c3.
Over the years, the foundation grew to include paid staff and, also continued to rely on the dedication of its volunteers, to operate its programming and put on its fundraising events.
Has it been a smooth road?
As with most non-profits, fundraising has always been a challenge.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Aqua Foundation for Women story. Tell us more about the business.
AFW provides scholarships and mentors to LBT women going to undergraduate or graduate school. We also have a grants program that provides funding to other organizations’ projects that benefit LBT women. IN addition, we have an emerging leaders conference and TransCon, a conference for the transgender community. Aqua has many events, some for fundraising; others to build community such as the annual Family BBQ.
One of the initiatives we are most proud of is the LGBTQ Youth Homelessness Initiative. We led the community to raise over $100,000 for a program to support the youth. Over 3 years we continued to fund this issue.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Although there is much progress in the LGBTQ movement, there is still work to be done. The movement is focused on assuring we keep the rights we have earned thus far and expanding them to include discrimination protection for all across the nation.
In the past couple years, the transgender community is finally getting attention to their needs.
And years after, the laws are in place there will still be a need to open the minds of many individuals.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1951 NW 7th Ave.
Miami, FL 33136 - Website: www.aquafoundation.org
- Phone: 305-576-2782
- Email: info@aquafoundation.org
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