Board

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Hundreds of thousands of people celebrate LA PRIDE in West Hollywood each year, but don’t see the tireless, year-round work that makes the event possible. Christopher Street West (CSW) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, led by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Each board member dedicates countless hours leading and working on many committees. And, CSW is lucky to be able to draw on the career experience and talents of individuals representing many professions with countless years of experience.

VOLUNTEER DRIVEN

With the assistance of a handful of paid consultants and staff, over 1,500 community-based volunteers pitch in to staff the many positions necessary for a celebration of this scale. Volunteers do many, many jobs including office administration support, selling tickets, taking tickets, serving beverages, parade crowd control, festival set-up and strike, and safety support. The vast majority of “staff” at the celebration actually volunteer their time and talents.

INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY

Given CSW’s thirty-seven plus (37+) years leading the gay rights movement in Los Angeles, the U.S., and the world, it is virtually impossible to determine a specific dollar amount of CSW’s charitable efforts.

The dollar amount that CSW has given back to community organizations through direct support, volunteer working grants, grants, publicity, visibility, and mentorship could well be in the millions.

And, CSW’s programs are as strong as ever, and CSW remains committed to supporting the community we serve, financially and otherwise. Much that we give to the community is impossible to measure in dollars and cents.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND OUTREACH

CSW provides direct support for community organizations by sponsoring a vast variety of events that are critical fundraising activities. CSW purchases tickets to community events, and donates the tickets to volunteers. CSW recruits and provides volunteers for community events: rodeos, other pride celebrations, fundraisers, awards shows and benefits. CSW has an active mentorship program, lending our experience and contacts to other organizations, pride-related and others. CSW lends its name and reputation to support other organizations who can benefit from our 37-years of community activism and support in Los Angeles. And, CSW partners with a number of organizations to promote awareness and assist their fundraising efforts.

DIRECT SUPPORT: CASA DEL SOL

		The first low-income housing project for people with HIV/AIDS to receive HUD funding, Casa del Sol is a prime example of the way proceeds from the annual LA Pride celebration benefits the community. CSW holds the mortgage and pays the yearly mortgage interest on the property.

CSW purchased the Hollywood property in 1988 and it finally opened for occupancy in 1993, after three of years of battling bureaucratic red tape and then over a year of renovations. It was and remains a precedent-setting undertaking, laying the groundwork for all future independent living programs for persons with HIV/AIDS.Aids Project Los Angeles manages the property, including screening prospective tenants and providing ongoing tenant advocacy and support.

COMMUNITY WORKING GRANTS PROGRAM

CSW LA Pride upholds a common practice of Pride venues across the country, allowing volunteers to make a donation to community based non-profits in exchange for an individual’s time donated on their behalf. As an additional reward to individuals that donate their valuable time, festival admission is complementary to personally thank volunteers for their much-needed service.

The Community Working Grants Program is a coordinated effort that brings in many of the volunteers who make each year’s event possible while returning money to the community. Fundraising for your organization is easier than ever; any non-profit organization carrying the charitable 501(c)3 status can participate. The organization works with CSW to bring volunteers, usually members of their organization, to work a minimum 4-hour festival or parade shift. The volunteers get free entry to the festival and a volunteer tee shirt. A donation is made to each organization based on the volunteer hours worked.

Click here for the 2008 Community Working Grant Application which includes program details.

In 2006 alone, CSW donated $30,399.30 to organizations who provided volunteers under our Community Working Grants program.

Following is a list of community non-profit organizations that have supported LA Pride and benefited from CSW’s Community Working Grants Program.

Aid for AIDS
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AIDS Project Los Angeles
AIDS Walk Long Beach
American Latin Alliance
Arlington House
AT Center
Barnacle Busters SCUBA Club
Beacon House Association
Bears LA
Beit T’Shuva
Bridges
California Quake
Camp Laurel
CHAOS
Chapel of Peace
Cheer LA
Christ Chapel of the Valley
Covenant House
Fanny Mae Foundation
Frontrunners
Gay & Lesbian Adolescent Social Services
Gay & Lesbian Softball League
Gay Football League Los Angeles
Gay Railroad Society
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Student Assn.
Golden State Gay Rodeo Assn. – Los Angeles
Golden State Squares
Good Samaritan Metropolitan Community Church
Great American Yankee Freedom Band
Hollywood United Methodist Church
Imperial Court of Hollywood
Inland AIDS Project
Inland Empire Pride
Irvine Valley College Gay & Lesbian Center
L.A. Shanti
LA Frontrunners
LA Pool League
LA Rebellion Rugby
Lambda Basketball
Lesbian Mothers & their Children
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Center of Cal State, Fullerton
Leukemia/Lymphoma Society
Long Beach GLBT Pride
Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Center
Los Angeles Boys of Leather
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center
Los Angeles Silver Screen Invitational
Metropolitan Community Church of the Valley
Metropolitan Community Church, Los Angeles
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Oasis High School
One Institute & Archives
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
Pets are Wonderful Support, L.A.
Pop Luck Club
Prism Comics
Project Angel Food
Red Gate Memorial Recovery
Royal Court of Santa Monica
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Strength for the Journey
Team Effort/WeHo Recreation
UC Irvine Resource Center
United Lesbians of African Heritage
Van Ness Recovery House
West Coast Singers
West Hollywood Aquatics
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church
West Hollywood Water Polo Team
Your Place of Hope

PARADE CASH AWARDS

The following organizations each received a cash award after being judged as the best entries in the 2006 parade:

Cheer LA
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Organization L.U.C.E.S.
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Project Angel Food
Bienestar Human Services

PRIDE SUPPORT

Again, Christopher Street West recruits and provides volunteers for community events: rodeos, other pride celebrations, fundraisers, awards shows and benefits. CSW has an active mentorship program, lending our experience and contacts to other organizations, pride-related and others. CSW lends its name and reputation to support other organizations who can benefit from our 37-years of community activism and support in Los Angeles. And, CSW partners with a number of organizations to promote awareness and assist their fundraising efforts.

CSW provides financial support to other local Pride organizations by direct support of their event programs. These organizations include:
San Gabriel Valley Pride
LA Valley Pride

CSW is also a long-time and active member of regional and international Pride organizations, including InterPride and Consolidated Association of Pride, Inc.