The entire Funders for LGBTQ Issues staff will be taking a break from August 30th – September 6th, 2021. This organization-wide pause reflects Funders’ ongoing commitment to care and wellness for our team and our goal of sustaining our work in the face of dispiriting realities.

Intentional policies and practices to encourage rest and wellness in our movements are needed now more than ever. While we may long to return to a sense of pre-pandemic normalcy, we also know that we cannot return to that normal. The pandemic rages on, fueled by long-standing inequities in access to healthcare in the United States and around the world. Our communities navigate the uncertainty and impacts of a changing climate. Deeply rooted Anti-Black racism and the crisis of police brutality continue to harm and exhaust those fighting for racial justice. Vicious attacks on transgender communities – particularly youth – continue to gain power. These crises demand profound shifts in our systems and resist easy solutions. If we are to make progress toward advancing justice for our communities, rest, reflection, and wellbeing must be a part of our strategy. To quote Tricia Hersey of The Nap Ministry, “rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy.”

We are grateful to those in our network who are leading the field in advancing collective care practices and healing justice. We invite you to explore the resources below and to reflect on how you can support holistic wellness for your team and the organizations you fund.

When we are back in the office on September 7th, we look forward to continuing our work together and sharing opportunities for you to get to know Saida Agostini-Bostic, who started her tenure as the next President of Funders for LGTBQ Issues earlier this month.

Image note: Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash