The Kentuckiana Pride Foundation will host its inaugural fundraising event this fall to raise money for a new endowment fund that will support LGBTQ+ organizations across Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

Hoping to raise $1 million, “The Shine Gala” will take place at the Speed Art Museum on Nov. 15. Organizers say they are creating a unique experience with an array of immersive entertainment, dinner, and educational activities which highlights Kentucky’s rich LGBTQ+ history. 

According to The Shine Gala’s website, their mission is to “support the sustainability of LGBTQIA+ organizations in the Kentuckiana region by fostering self-sufficiency and building connections with supporters, especially as the need grows amid an ever-changing political climate.”

“The Kentuckiana Pride Foundation has been working hard lately to do a little bit more than just the festival,” said Matthew Rehmer, KPF co-chair of the Shine Gala. “This is one of those things that we’re trying to do to give back to the community and support other community organizations. Our goal is to create a funding source that Kentuckiana Pride can use as an outlet to other organizations.”

The Kentuckiana Pride Foundation already invests in community organizations like Sweet Evening Breeze and Louisville Youth Group through their existing operational budget—and will continue to do so—but Rehmer said that the endowment will serve as a more sustainable funding source in the future. 

Once the $1 million is raised through the efforts of the Shine Gala, Rehmer said that an application process will open for organizations to apply for funding. Organizers are still determining how many LGBTQ+ nonprofits will receive funding and how much they will disburse. It is also unknown when the full $1 million will be raised.

“Partners that we work with will have a mission closely aligned with the Kentuckiana Pride Foundation’s mission,” Rehmer said. “We imagine funding going to specific programming of an organization.”

He adds that the Kentuckiana Pride Foundation won’t directly benefit from the endowment and that all funds will be distributed to other organizations, however some funds from the gala will cover the overhead of the event. 

In addition to the Shine Gala fund, Kentucky currently has three other funds that support LGBTQ+ nonprofit programming: the Community Foundation of Louisville’s Charles and Jack Fund, which focuses on LGBTQ+ youth programs; JustFundKY, which serves the broader LGBTQ+ community; and the Lige Clarke Liberation Fund, which supports LGBTQ+ Appalachian-focused projects.

The Kentuckiana Pride Foundation President Rodney Coffman said that he looks forward to KPF housing another fund to benefit regional LGBTQ+ organizations.

“Given the rich history of the Kentuckiana Pride Foundation, after 25 years of leadership and service to the community, the organization’s board and committees wanted to build an event fostered on fundraising and community giving by inspiring, uplifting, and uniting the community with a common purpose,” he said. “The Shine Gala uniquely positions the organization to build just that by creating an endowment fund that will honor the past, elevate the present, and light the way forward by offering financial sustainability for the LGBTQIA+ community and its diversity. This endowment will help to continue offering services across the Kentuckiana region by investing back into our community organizations.” 

Two ticket options are available for purchase. The Full Experience includes access to the cocktail hour, dinner, programming and entertainment. Food and drinks are included with admission. The Social Experience includes access to entertainment only, with entry beginning at 8 p.m. Late-night bites and drinks are included.

For more information visit https://www.theshinegala.org/