Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1998 21:02:47 -0700 From: Eros Publishing Subject: Press Release Rainbow Raffle Winners Announced 7 Community Organizations Receive $8,000 in Prizes Pride Foundation volunteers drew the winning tickets for the fourth annual Rainbow Raffle Tuesday, August 18 at the Pride Foundation's Summer Grants and Scholarships Celebration. This "raffle with a twist" is the first of its kind in the country. Instead of receiving cash, a trip, or merchandise, winners have the opportunity to designate up to $3,000 to support an organization they care about. Over 500 non-profit organizations were selected by the purchasers of over 7,200 tickets. 1998 winners included: 1st Prize $3,000 to Friends for Life (selected by Paul McDevitt) 2nd Prize $2,000 to University Baptist Church (selected by Anne Hall) 3rd Prize $1,000 to Safe Schools Coalition (selected by Edna Alvendia) Additional prizes were awarded to the four organizations named most often by ticket buyers $500 to Lambert House $500 to Chicken Soup Brigade $500 to Jobs with Justice $500 to Rainbow Center "It's a win all around," explained Zan Lussier, a Pride volunteer who sold the most tickets. "If you buy the lucky ticket, you can designate up to $3,000 to an agency that is doing work that you care about. If your ticket isn't drawn, your ticket purchase still supports the work of the Pride Foundation and its granting and scholarship programs." According to Scot Partlow, Pride's Volunteer Rainbow Raffle Chairman, the Rainbow Raffle was implemented by the Pride Foundation after they evaluated a variety of new fundraising opportunities. "Pride wanted to do something unique that would raise funds, and at the same time increase awareness of Pride's role as a community foundation. The raffle is an ideal way to show how coordinated giving can get dollars to the organizations that are out there making a difference." Partlow helped organize the volunteer team that sold over 7,000 tickets. "This project excited me because I'll never have enough money to support all the organizations that serve our community," commented Jody Laine after she drew the winning ticket. "I signed on to sell tickets because I want others to know that giving is an important part of making our community strong." Eligible agencies included those offering direct services to the lesbian and gay community in lesbian health, HIV/AIDS education and care, arts and recreation, youth and family services, education and advocacy, and more. Some ticket purchasers named mainstream organizations that don't have targeted services to show these organizations that they have a constituency that is supportive of the lesbian and gay community. To be eligible, the agency selected must be recognized as tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of Internal Revenue Code and cannot discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. "The Pride Foundation has been investing in the future of our lesbian and gay community by funding organizations that are changing hearts and minds in our struggle against discrimination, by granting to projects that are redefining the family, and by providing seed money to emerging organizations." commented Ted Lord, Pride's Executive Director. "The Rainbow Raffle is just one of the ways we hope to continue raising and awarding funds to support a diverse range of organizations serving our community." In 1997, the Pride Foundation distributed over $600,000 in grants and scholarships to than benefit gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered persons and their friends and families in the Pacific Northwest. With the generous support of 3,000 donors and through the efforts of over 250 volunteers, Pride plans to award its 2 millionth dollar in 1998. ### PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST http://www.wolfenet.com/~aubrey/aubrey.htm