The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz

About

Each year, The Diversity Center reaches approximately 10,000 individuals that we serve directly through our onsite programs, outreach and education events, our work with school-based Gay/Straight Alliances, and our Triangle Speakers program. We fulfill our mission to enhance the lives and promote fairness for LGBTQ people by: • Developing LGBTQ youth leaders in local middle and high schools, who help teach acceptance and promote positive LGBTQ messages to their peers • Creating connections, building community, and reducing isolation among LGBTQ seniors, veterans, youth, and the Latino/a community • Teaching acceptance and providing support for transgender individuals • Educating the community at-large about key legislative issues that impact LGBTQ rights and equality Our Structure We exist in large part thanks to the generosity of hundreds of volunteers who give of their time and money to help support the programs and services we offer. Our operations consist of: • A volunteer Board of Directors, who oversee the vision, fiscal responsibilities and management of the executive director. • An Executive Director and administrative staff, who keep the day to day workings of the Diversity Center on track. • Program portfolio holders, either staff or volunteer, who run a plethora of activities from our senior and youth programs to weekly support groups for different members of our community. Fiscally Sponsored Projects The Diversity Center supports smaller LGBTQ community projects as a fiscal sponsor. These fiscally sponsored projects meet our goals, but do not have the resources to acquire independent 501(c)(3) status. The fiscally sponsored projects form their own operating advisory committee, and the Diversity Center acts as fiscal sponsor for the organization. These fiscal sponsor agreements streamline costs such as insurance, tax accounting, etc. and it promotes a spirit of cooperation in our community while working toward a common goal. Current fiscally sponsored projects are: • Lez Cruz • Radical Faeries • Queer Youth Task Force (Safe Schools Project, Trans Teen Project, Queer Youth Leadership Awards) • Santa Cruz Pride Gay & Lesbian (LGBT) Friendly Community Center