FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2020
PRESS CONTACT:
qnf-press@lgbtq-economics.org
As of 12:00 AM, Pacific Standard Time this morning (March 23, 2020), the San Francisco Queer Nightlife Fund has engaged over $70,000 in support for nightlife workers whose livelihood has been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
This figure includes over $67,000 in grassroots contributions through the SF QNF website (www.sfqueernightlifefund.org) from 655 individual donors, and $3,000 in pledged support from philanthropic or corporate donors. Each grassroots donor who has contributed has given, on average, $103 per donation.
The SF QNF has raised 33% of our current $200K fundraising goal to fund 200 grant-worthy applicants from the nightlife industry who depend on nightlife venues and events for their income.
However, only 9 days remain to raise $132,388 to accomplish the SF QNF’s goal. We need community support to help those workers who have been laid-off from San Francisco’s historic and culturally significant LGBTQ nightlife industry.
During today’s online Quaran-Tea fundraiser, SF Queer Nightlife Fund raised an astonishing $9,936 from 157 donors, contributing over $63 each.
During the event 6 DJs played for a digital audience of attendees, to benefit the SF QNF. Video from the event will be vailable for the next several days on https://www.twitch.tv/sfqueernightlifefund.
Quaran-Tea DJs included:
Jumpr (Fog City Pack / DAD)
https://www.instagram.com/unluck
Mark O’Brien (Polyglamorous)
https://www.instagram.com/obrienmusic
Kelly Naughton (DAD)
https://www.instagram.com/knaughty29
BEYA (Polyglamorous)
https://www.instagram.com/benbuzz
Nate Manic (Quaint | Extra)
https://www.instagram.com/natemanic
Fawks (Fog City Pack)
https://www.instagram.com/fawkstales/
In addition to contributions of support, the SF QNF has received as of 12:00 AM PST today (March 23, 2020) 189 grant applications through our online grant application (https://sfqueernightlifefund.org/sf-qnf-application/). Grant applicants have requested minimally $206,853 in relief in total. This is an average of $1,094 in relief requested by each applicant.
Among the current applicants:
- 97% rent their home
- 9% are a recipient of food assistance
- 38% do not have health insurance
- 17% have 1 or more dependents
- 69% rely upon their stated nightlife income as a sole source of income
Based on the anticipated need, the San Francisco Bay Area Queer Nightlife Fund organizers have set a fundraising goal of at least $200,000 to adequately meet the needs of the 200 QNF grant recipients we currently expect in our application cohort (due: March 31, 2020).
Please contact the SF QNF organizers with any questions regarding this press release (qnf-press@lgbtq-economics.org).
(EDIT: March 23, 2020, 9:08 AM. Updated to clarify Quaran-Tea event details and include DJ information)