Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other (LGBTQ+) people have been and will continue to be an integral part of our diverse community tapestry in Monterey County. To help address the needs of our local LGBTQ+ residents, the Community Foundation created Out Reach in 2005. Its goals include:

• Increasing public awareness of local LGBTQ+ communities and issues,
• Generating new support for these local communities,
• Strengthening the organizational capacity of LGBTQ+-serving agencies.

An ad-hoc committee undertook a comprehensive study with input from over 300 LGBTQ+ and allied community members in 2005. Among other things, this study found that:

• our local LGBTQ+ community is resilient, demonstrates a drive to address important issues, and has a strong interest in community building;
• there is a paramount need to support LGBTQ+ youth in Monterey County, and;
• a form of LGBTQ+ drop-in resource center and gathering place to better access community resources and information would be highly welcomed.

Out Reach is an opportunity for individuals, corporations and foundations to pool resources and make positive changes through grants to nonprofit organizations serving Monterey County’s LGBTQ+ communities.