Pensacola philanthropy Sunday's Child hosted an event recently as part of the kickoff of their efforts
to raise money to grants to aid nonprofits in the community for 2016. Photo credit: Sunday's Child.

One of Pensacola’s newest philanthropies is aiming to raise $125,000 to distribute to local nonprofits in the name of promoting Inclusion and diversity.

Sunday’s Child, now working on its second annual grant cycle, welcomed about 100 people to its seventh membership mixer of the year on Nov. 13 at the First City Arts Center.

“This was the final mixer during the membership drive,” said Chuck Preisti, president and founder of Sunday’s Child. “This was an opportunity for existing members and prospective members to meet and learn more about Sunday's Child.”

Sunday’s Child promotes diversity, inclusion and acceptance of the Pensacola area lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community by encouraging businesses and organizations to proactively adopt non-discrimination policies.

“We believe that our workplaces and our community is stronger when it embraces the diversity of its citizens,” according to the group’s mission statement.

So far, Sunday’s Child has about 40 members for the year, with membership open through Dec. 31. Individual membership cost $1,000 per person. The group has also gathered about $6,000 in corporate sponsorships.

It is modeled after the highly successful IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area model of philanthropy.

If Sunday’s child reaches its $125,000 goal, Presti said the organizations will award grants to five organizations.

“To be eligible for a grant, the charity must demonstrate inclusion and equality policies and practices within their organization and services,” Presti said. “Sunday's Child provides resource toolbox to help support these organizations.”

That toolbox is located at  http://www.sundayschild.org/resources/#toolbox

Arc Gateway and Legal Services of North Florida each received Sunday’s Child grants for $33,125.

Arc Gateway is using the money to purchase a new forklift. Pollack Industries, a project of Arc Gateway that employs disabled adults on production contracts, manufactures cement parking bumpers and cement air-conditioning pads for local contractors, businesses and builders. A forklift is required to move and load these fixtures. The old forklift was more than 20 years old.

Legal Services of North Florida is using its grant to hire a staff attorney for a year to develop enhanced advocacy and education tools to support victims of violence and bullying within the community. While the program may serve victims of all different experiences, a focus will be placed on LGBT youth, LGBT relationships, homeless and dependent youth, and youth with disabilities.