As part of Pride Toronto's 30th anniversary, the organization and its partner the Community One Foundation are launching the 4th annual Pride Access and Diversity Grants Program. This is a continued funding partnership designed to support smaller grassroots organizations and increase accessibility, particularly for diverse and marginalized communities, to participate in Pride Festival.

Both Pride Toronto and the Community One Foundation are excited to present a partnership which leverages the resources of both organizations for a common goal: to provide grants for smaller groups who do not have the funds or resources to participate in Pride events.

"This continued partnership with the Community One Foundation for our 4th annual Pride Access and Diversity Grants Program offers an opportunity for smaller groups to gain visibility and promote awareness for their LGBTTIQQ2SA* diverse and marginalized communities by participating in the Pride Parade, Dyke March, Trans March, and Community Fair, as well as Grassroots Project for organizations who organize events during Pride Week Festival", said Frank Folino, Pride's representative on the Grants program..

"The Community One Foundation is thrilled to be able to continue our partnership with Pride Toronto on this important initiative. Pride Week is about the participation of small community groups, and it's critical that we are able to assist in providing funding in order to allow greater participation and visibility", said Christopher Killam of the Community One Foundation.

Pride Toronto and the Community One Foundation are hosting an Information Session on Tuesday March 9, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The 519 Church Street Community Centre.

The application deadline will be on Friday April 9, 2010 and grants application guidelines and forms are available on both organizations websites: http://www.pridetoronto.com and http://www.communityone.ca.

For more information:
Tracey Sandilands
Executive Director
Pride Toronto
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
416.524.4554

About Pride Toronto:

Pride Toronto is the not-for-profit organization that hosts Pride Week, an annual festival held during the last week of June in downtown Toronto. Pride Toronto exists to celebrate the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities and is one of the leading cultural events of its kind in the world. Toronto's Pride Week has been named the Best Festival in Canada by the Canadian Special Events Industry, is recognized as one of only Eight Signature Events in the city of Toronto, and is ranked as one of the TOP 50 festivals in Ontario by Festivals and Events Ontario. http://www.pridetoronto.com

About the Community One Foundation:

The Community One Foundation is the only foundation of its kind in Canada- to build and support individuals and groups that enhance the development of the LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. Since 1980, the Community One Foundation has raised and granted out over $2 million through an annual Rainbow Grants program and special initiatives. Through the generosity of individuals and businesses, the Community One Foundation is able to provide much-needed funding for projects and programs in the areas of education, health, human rights, arts and culture. More information can be found at http://www.communityone.ca