A New Chapter For The Cherry Fund: From Circuit Party to Comprehensive Foundation

Mar 12

A New Chapter For The Cherry Fund: From Circuit Party to Comprehensive Foundation

READ TIME: 3 MIN.

The following is a press release from our friends at Cherry Fund:

At the Cherry Fund, we've always believed in the power of community – how the simple act of coming together can spark profound change. For over two decades, we've hosted incredible events, including CHERRY, our iconic Circuit Party, raising funds and supporting organizations that serve the LGBTQ+ community in Washington, DC, and beyond. Our journey has been one of joy, celebration, and generosity. But as we reflect on the impact, we've had to look toward the future, we then realize that our role needs to evolve.

We're excited to announce that the Cherry Fund is shifting gears. While the energy and excitement of our parties will always be a central part of our identity, we are moving from being primarily a circuit party to becoming a full-fledged foundation with a broader, more comprehensive mission. This is a transformation that reflects both the needs of the community we serve and our commitment to making a lasting, meaningful difference.

What's Changing?

For many years, CHERRY has been the cornerstone of our fundraising efforts. It's been an essential event – a weekend where we gather to celebrate, to dance, to connect, and to raise money for local LGBTQ+ organizations. But over time, we've come to understand that we can do even more. We've seen the deep, ongoing need for support across our community, and we believe that it's time for us to go beyond just one weekend of celebration.

As we transition into a more comprehensive foundation, we're expanding our focus to include a broader range of initiatives and funding opportunities. This new structure will allow us to:

  • Provide sustained support: While CHERRY, our annual event, will continue, we will create year-round initiatives that directly benefit our community. Whether it's for health programs, youth services, advocacy, or mental health support, our reach will be more continuous and consistent.

  • Support a wider range of organizations: As a foundation, we can diversify the types of nonprofits we fund, ensuring we meet the unique needs of different groups within the LGBTQ community – whether they're focused on homelessness, healthcare, education, or social justice.

  • Strengthen partnerships: This shift will allow us to deepen our relationships with nonprofit partners, community leaders, and other stakeholders. Our goal is to be a bridge, connecting individuals and organizations to the resources they need to thrive.

  • Empower advocacy: We're committed to amplifying the voices and work of organizations that advocate for policy change and social justice. With a foundation structure, we will have the ability to support not just direct services, but also efforts that change the systems affecting our community.

    Why This Change Matters

    2025 will be a year of hardship, and we will need to adapt to the new reality we will be living in. The needs of our community will change and adapt to the new challenges. While the energy of CHERRY will always have a place in our hearts, we recognize that we need to do more to address the ongoing challenges our community faces. From healthcare access to mental health resources, from housing insecurity to the fight for equality, there is a long road ahead.

    As a foundation we need to look at, create, and use the tools we have to help our community meet those challenges head on. This new chapter means that while we'll continue to provide the celebration and joy our community deserves, we'll also offer the sustained, impactful support that will help ensure our community is not only celebrated, but also empowered to thrive.

    What's Next?

    Our upcoming events will be the first to reflect this new direction. As always, we'll host CHERRY, our signature event, but with a renewed focus on how we can make that weekend be more than just fun. We're actively engaging with our community to ensure that our efforts align with the most pressing needs, and we can't wait to share more with you soon.

    We hope you'll join us on this exciting journey. Whether you've supported us in the past or are just learning about our mission, your involvement matters. Whether it's through attending our events, donating, or volunteering your time, together we can continue to build a future where the LGBT community thrives – both in celebration and in support. For more information visit on the web at http://www.cherryfund.org.

    Here's to the next chapter.

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