CHERRY Fund (www.cherryfund.org)

Cherry began several years ago when a group of local residents got together and planned a charity fundraiser. Using modest financial resources, the all-volunteer organization known as Friends Being Friends banded together to put on a weekend of music, dance and celebration. Several other Cherry events would follow, each increasingly better attended than the last. The popularity of these fundraisers inspired the idea that Washington was ready for a yearly charity event on the level of those held annually on Fire Island or in Miami. After the third Cherry, which was produced by Moody Mustafa's Metropolis Fund, a new group formed to take over the reins of the event. The new organization, christened "The Cherry Fund," institutionalized the annual fundraising effort, evolving into a year-round grant making organization while building a brand name that people around the country could identify.

This spring, Cherry is charging towards its decade mark with a renewed spirit. From its humble roots, The Cherry Fund has grown to rival other, longer tenured and more established fundraisers. With each passing year, our renowned events are defined by their superior production, and striking settings, while showcasing world-class talent. At the heart of this all remains a dedication to the GLBT community and the organizations which serve them. Cherry honors the memory of our predecessors as we rededicate ourselves to celebratory spirit of all things Cherry.

Here is just a sample of who and how much we have given since The Cherry Fund was incorporated in 1999:

GL Victory Foundation - $217,500
The Metro DC Center - $186,500
Whitman Walker Clinic - $114,000
Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League - $54,000
Mautner Project - $52,000
Food and Friends - $32,500
DC Care - $25,000
GLAAD - $20,000
Lambda Legal Defense Fund - $15,000
Washington Renegades - $8,000
DC Aquatics - $6,000
Cherry Fund HIV/AIDS Campaign - $5,000
Delta Lambda Phi - $4,500
Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry - $4,000
Metro TeenAIDS - $2,500
DC Wetskins - $2,000
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network - $9,750
Church of the Pilgrims - $500
Baltimore Gay and Lesbian Community Center - $500
Delphi Foundation - $500
Youth Pride Alliance - $400
Camp Rehoboth - $350
William Way Community Center - $350
Capital Metropolitan Rainbow Alliance - $250
Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association - $200

The Cherry Fund has provided tickets and passes to the silent auctions and raffles of the following organizations:

Asian and Pacific Islander Queers United for Action (AQUA)
Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL)
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)
Spin4Youth (A Fund Raiser for Youth Pride Day & Metro TeenAIDS)

The Cherry Fund has also partnered with the following organizations:

Raised funds for Youth Pride Alliance's GLBT Youth Scholarship Fund
Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association (Buckle Sponsor)
Human Rights Campaign (Community Partner for HRC's Betty Rules Fund Raiser)
One in Ten (Community Partner for the Reel Affirmations Film Festival)
Food and Friends (Provided promotional support for Dining Out for Life)
Cross Promoted Centaur MC's Reaction Dance, MAL Weekend

The Cherry Fund is a DC non-profit organization tax ID #52-2139599. PO Box 53169, Washington, DC 20009.

Thank you for your interest in the Cherry Fund!

The Cherry Fund
Post Office Box 53169
Washington, DC 20009
info@cherryfund.org

Please direct inquiries to:

Entertainment: paul.marengo@cherryfund.org
General Information: info@cherryfund.org
Sponsorship Information: paul.marengo@cherryfund.org
Volunteering: volunteer@cherryfund.org

CHERRY is brought to you by The Cherry Fund. The Cherry Fund has raised $877,000 for local and national gay and lesbian beneficiaries that play an important role in our community. Website Design by Kirium Interactive.