Our Family Coalition (OFC), a San Francisco-based organization dedicated to LGBTQ families, will honor Gill Foundation CEO Kate Kendell at its 30th-anniversary gala this fall. Kendell, a prominent lesbian leader, is the former longtime executive director of the National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR). Her recognition underscores a career focused on protecting and advocating for LGBTQ individuals and their families.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, October 10, will celebrate three decades of OFC’s work. It also highlights the sustained impact of leaders and organizations committed to advancing LGBTQ rights and family protections. Kendell’s career exemplifies strategic leadership in the nonprofit sector, combining legal advocacy with philanthropic efforts.
Kendell’s Legacy in Advocacy and Philanthropy
Kate Kendell led NCLR for 22 years before stepping down in 2018. During her tenure, NCLR championed LGBTQ people and their families. This was achieved through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Kendell will receive OFC’s Community Legacy Award for her extensive contributions.
“There’s probably no work more important to me in my career than protecting LGBTQ-headed families or families with queer family members,” Kendell stated in a phone interview. She emphasized the importance of feeling safe and legally protected in relationships as crucial for liberation. Her work reflects a commitment to robust organizational strategy within nonprofit leadership.
Kendell expressed her humility regarding the recognition she will receive at the OFC gala. “To have that work recognized by an organization whose entire ethos is that commitment is a huge honor,” she said. This sentiment highlights the shared values between her advocacy and OFC’s mission.
Strategic Giving and Community Impact
Kendell began her tenure at the Gill Foundation last year. The Colorado-based nonprofit works to fund LGBTQ projects on a variety of issues. It focuses particularly on underfunded areas, according to its website. The foundation has distributed $475 million in strategic giving over the years. Gay software entrepreneur Tim Gill founded it in 1994.
The Gill Foundation’s approach to philanthropy demonstrates a key aspect of business growth through targeted investment in social causes. This strategic funding supports a diverse array of initiatives. It ensures that critical work continues in areas needing resources the most.
Broader Recognition for Dedicated Leaders
Our Family Coalition will also present Community Champion Awards to other dedicated individuals. These honorees include attorneys Deborah Wald and Emily Doskow, alongside M. Zamora. Zamora is a Chicana, Yaqui, and Tongva IndigeQueer feminist educator and community organizer.
Emily Doskow, a lesbian, expressed her honor at the recognition. She acknowledged OFC’s great work in supporting queer families for many years. Doskow noted her pride in partnering with OFC and Deborah Wald. Together, they have presented free DIY adoption workshops annually. These workshops have helped many families complete confirmatory adoptions. This ensures their families are legally protected.
Horizons Foundation will receive the Corporate Champion Award. Its outgoing president, Roger Doughty, a gay man, and Francisco O. Buchting, Ph.D., a gay man and vice president of grants, programs, and communications, will also be honored. Horizons is a longtime philanthropic nonprofit. It provides grants to LGBTQ nonprofits, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area.
“Horizons has been proud to support Our Family Coalition’s work for more than two decades,” Doughty stated in an email. “We’re honored to be recognized by this outstanding organization.” Mimi Demissew, a queer mom and OFC’s executive director, praised all the awardees. Celebrating 30 years of Our Family Coalition means celebrating the people who have made a significant difference. The event showcases the enduring corporate culture of advocacy and support.
The recognition of these leaders and organizations by Our Family Coalition underscores the importance of sustained commitment. It highlights the strategic efforts required to protect and advance the rights of LGBTQ families. The gala serves as a testament to the power of collective action and philanthropic investment in social progress.
