With an emphasis on education and leadership development, our purpose directs the Foundation to build a pipeline of support for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults aimed at raising and improving civic engagement. Founded by Sam Catalano, the nonprofit launched in 2017 with a flagship scholarship at Sacramento State University, named for longtime LGBTQ+ activist Laurie McBride. The Stonewall Foundation has since then sponsored or created leadership conferences for LGBTQ+ youth at several area K-12 districts, provided paid work opportunities for LGBTQ high school students, provided collaboration and networking for education professionals who work with LGBTQ youth, and more.
The Foundation continues to expand several programs to create pathways to future leadership across the Sacramento region. Since its inception these achievements have included:
- Funding six total CSUS undergraduate students through our flagship Laurie McBride Memorial Scholarship.
- Funding two Los Rios Community College students through the new Sam Catalano Scholarship
- Sponsoring two years of the Be Brave, Be You LGBTQ+ student leadership conferences in the Sacramento City Unified School District; the PRIDE PAK education conference at the San Juan Unified School District, and the Elk Grove Unified School District's Stars Student Summit.
- Underwriting a paid high school internship position in partnership with the Sacramento LGBT Community Center. And more!
The Stonewall Foundation of Greater Sacramento is committed to extending support to LGBTQ youth and young adults in pursuit of equity for all.