Florida may have cut the arts to the bone, but The Our Fund Foundation is keeping the lifeblood flowing — awarding $370,000 to LGBTQ artists, theaters, and cultural groups across South Florida.
The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $40,000, were announced Oct. 15 at a reception hosted by ArtsUnited in Wilton Manors. In total, 19 grants were awarded. Some of the recipients include Brévo Theatre, Island City Stage, Zoetic Stage, Hued Songs, and OUTshine Film Festival.
“The deep commitment from our supporters reflects a shared belief that the arts not only preserve our culture and history but also shape our future,” said David Jobin, president and CEO of The Our Fund Foundation, in a press release. “With the current political climate and the decimation of Florida’s state arts and culture funding, it is more vital than ever to support these talented organizations that enrich our community in so many ways.”
The annual Arts & Culture Fund is powered by Our Fund’s endowment and its new Pillars Fund, which offers multi-year support to established LGBTQ-serving nonprofits.
For many organizations, these grants are helping fill the gaps left by government cutbacks.
“Our Fund is a lifeline for South Florida,” said Robert Kesten, president and CEO of Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library. “Their staff and board understand the importance of sustaining our history, culture, health, and quality of life. Their financial commitment sends a strong message to those of us who receive these donations as well as to those whom we serve.”
At Pioneer Winter Collective, the funding helps the group expand into Broward with Recovery in Motion, a free weekly workshop at The Pride Center for people in recovery.
“We’re expanding and thriving in spite of the funding cuts. At this point we can’t rely on local, state, or federal government to support the arts,” said Pioneer Winter. “So foundations like Our Fund are critical to keeping queer work visible and alive.”
For Plays of Wilton, the support is personal.
“The Our Fund Foundation was the first foundation to support Plays Of Wilton, and that support legitimized us in the eyes of our community and put us on a trajectory for success,” said Ronnie Larsen, artistic director of Plays of Wilton.
At Thinking Cap Theatre, which produces works with LGBTQ+ themes, Artistic Director Nicole Stodard called the grant transformational.
“The Our Fund Pillars Grant will allow us to continue its year-round programming to uplift and unite the local LGBTQ+ community,” she said. “Our Fund has radically transformed and elevated the work of TCT and so many other nonprofit theaters, and we are incredibly grateful and proud to be among the grantees.”
At the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, the funds help the group bring its message to more audiences.
“We’re so grateful to The Our Fund Foundation for believing in the power of our music and mission,” said Kerry Waldee, board chair of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. “Their support helps us amplify LGBTQ+ voices and bring our community together through songs that inspire, heal, and connect.”
Founded in 2011, The Our Fund Foundation has grown into one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ community foundations, distributing more than $28 million in grants since its inception, including $2.5 million in 2024 alone.
“With so much division, the arts remind us who we are,” Jobin added. “They build belonging — and that’s something worth fighting for.”
2025 Arts & Culture Fund Grant Recipients
ArtsUnited
Black LGBTQ+ Liberation, LLC
Brévo Theatre
Florida Atlantic University Foundation, Inc.
Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida
Hued Songs
Island City Stage
Kutumba Theatre Project, Inc.
Lesbian Thespians, Inc.
OUTshine Film Festival
Miami Book Fair at Miami Dade College
Pioneer Winter Collective, Inc.
Plays of Wilton
South Florida Pride Concert Band
Stonewall National Museum, Library and Archives
The McKenzie Project, Inc.
The Pride Center at Equality Park
Thinking Cap Theatre
Zoetic Stage, Inc.
